Tom Izzo sends special message of encouragement to Dick Vitale

Legendary ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale remains in recovery following his most recent bout with cancer, unable to rejoin the airwaves yet as he recuperates.

And the college basketball world certainly misses him.

On Tuesday, Vitale shared a message he received from Michigan State coach Tom Izzo as he continues to make progress in his journey toward a full recovery. It comes during V Week, an annual push to support the V Foundation and fight cancer.

“Hope you’re doing better everyday,” Izzo wrote. “I know this is such a special week for you with the Jimmy V. event but every week is special because you never stop working. We all love you for that and I mean that !

“You have created such a culture it’s unbelievable. Doesn’t matter what sport or venue they are all supporting you. As a coach you try to impact a player or even a University. You my friend have impacted the WORLD !!! Wow now that’s a legacy.”

Izzo would go on to praise Vitale’s efforts to raise money to fight cancer given Vitale’s own brushes with the disease.

“Someday myself or a family member is going to live longer because of you,” Izzo wrote. “Life is more valuable than money. So where I help some kid from the hood help himself and his family. You help save lives. I’m a NOBODY compared to you. Love you Dick think of you often but this is a week you helped create that is SPECIAL. Thank you tell Lorraine hi. Izz

“PS have my first grandchild she’s 4 months old. Trying to catch you. Keep getting well.”

Dick Vitale has had quite the personal journey in recent years.

He underwent multiple surgeries to remove a melanoma in 2021, before he was then diagnosed with lymphoma. He was cancer free by August of 2022, but he was diagnosed with cancer in his vocal cords back in July.

On Nov. 13, Vitale announced that his cancer was gone. However, he has been unable to rejoin the airwaves yet as he works on getting his voice all the way back.

Suffice it to say the kind of encouragement Dick Vitale has received from the likes of Izzo and others are inspiration to keep fighting.