Dick Vitale returns to court, gets recognized at SEC tournament

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That was awesome, baby!

College basketball icon Dick Vitale made an appearance at the Southeastern Conference Tournament on Saturday, getting recognized for his contributions to the sport, the league and his fight against cancer.

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Vitale, who lives about an hour south of Tampa in Sarasota, was presented a basketball signed by the SEC's 14 coaches before the first of two semifinal games at Amalie Arena. Vitale walked into the venue amid a standing ovation — and shouts of "Dickie V!" — and accepted the autographed ball from league Commissioner Greg Sankey at midcourt. He made a brief stop at ESPN's broadcast seats, the spot he held for decades before stepping back for health reasons.

Vitale, 82, has been public about his treatment for assorted medical issues, including at least two forms of cancer.

He hadn't made an in-person appearance at a college basketball game since calling reigning national champion Baylor’s 57-36 victory against Villanova in mid-December. Shortly thereafter, doctors put him on voice rest upon discovering precancerous dysplasia on his vocal cords that required surgery.

ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale, left, meets with SEC commissioner Greg Stankey before an NCAA college basketball between Texas A&M and Arkansas at the Southeastern Conference tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.  (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Vitale said in the fall he had been diagnosed with lymphoma, months after multiple surgeries to remove melanoma. He has chronicled his treatments and recovery on social media, posting photos of doctor visits and hospital stays while issuing