ESPN's Dick Vitale Delivers Motivational Speech at Grand Hotel

Dick Vitale with his wife, Lorraine, of 38 years in the lobby of Grand Hotel before delivering his motivational speech to Michigan Hospital Association on Mackinac Island Friday, June 26. Dick Vitale, a college basketball analyst for the ESPN television network, delivered a motivational speech during a Michigan Hospital Association membership meeting at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island Friday, June 26.

A fundraiser for cancer research, Mr. Vitale was one of three featured speakers who were asked to spotlight different aspects of the significance of health care in society. Futurist Ian Morrison and physician Robert Wachter also addressed the audience, made up of representatives of Michigan's community hospitals.

Mr. Vitale spoke enthusiastically on the topic of "The Game of Life," lessons learned from sports, and how apply them to work and daily life.

Talking about his mother, May Vitale, tears welled in his eyes and he recalled her words, "don't believe in the word 'can't' and believe in what you want."

"I always wanted to be a teacher and coach and my first job was a sixth grade teacher and varsity coach. Life is about decisions, but to be successful, you should make good choices and live out your dreams," he told the audience.

Mr. Vitale's dream was to coach at the collegiate level. His first college job came as an assistant at Rutgers University. His salary as a teacher and coach was $12,000. He learned that at Rutgers, he would take just a $1,000 a year cut in pay to land the assistant coaching job.

"Life is about ups and downs...enjoy every moment," said Mr. Vitale. "My huge positive part of my life is my wife, Lorraine, of 38 years, two daughters and their husbands, along with five grandchildren. Family is important to me."

Mr. Vitale became head coach at the University of Detroit (U-D) and led the Titans to a 78-30 overall record in five years. He enjoyed a 21-game winning streak with the National Collegiate Athletic Association, along with a historical 70-59 victory over the University of Michigan. He later became athletic director at U-D before accepting the head coaching position for the Detroit Pistons, but was fired after a short stay. He later accepted a job with ESPN and has been with the sports network for 30 years.

"I have always had a special place in my heart for the people in Michigan and still do," he told the group of more than 400. "This is a beautiful place in talking about the Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island."

"I am living my American dream and you can do the same. Your goals can become reality with strong work ethics; just as important, do your best on a daily basis."

Mr. Vitale added, "Get along with people and remember where you came from. Don't be intimidated and use the three E's -- energy, enthusiasm, and effort."

In closing, Mr. Vitale advised his audience to have a sense of pride and enjoy each day.

Mr. Vitale touched on the Jimmy V Foundation in memory of his good friend, Jim Valvano, head basketball coach at North Carolina State University, who died from cancer.

"Cancer will eventually touch everyone's life and I have been fortunate to be here today and speak to you about research and what everyone can do to fight this deadly disease," he said. "Today more than 12 million people are cancer survivors. The V Foundation has raised more than $80 million to fund cancer research grant nationwide."

One final message he delivered to the Michigan Hospital Association group was about a family in Texas who lost teenage twin daughters to a rare cancer. The first sister died at 13 years old, and one year later, the 14-year-old passed away. The father e-mailed the Vitales and Mrs. Vitale told Dick he must call this man.

"The father wasn't looking for anything, but to just talk and ask why. What do you say to a father that suffered two tragic deaths? You must be supportive. I invited the father and mother to speak about their daughters at the Dick Vitale Gala for cancer research that is held during the third week in May at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota, Florida. There wasn't a dry eye in Florida," Mr. Vitale said. The family's story received the same reaction on Mackinac Island. Mr. Vitale received a standing ovation.

The upcoming Dick Vitale Gala will honor two Michigan native coaches, Tom Izzo of Iron Mountain from Michigan State University and Tony Dungy of Jackson, former Eastern Michigan University and Indianapolis Colts coach. Organizers hope to raise $1.7 million with the fundraiser May 21, 2010.