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Community Activities

You’re almost as likely to find Dickie V on the streets of his hometown as you would behind the microphone during hoops season! Learn about Dickie V’s latest activities—from a scholarship event with the Boys and Girls Club to a fundraiser in downtown Lakewood Ranch, there is never a dull moment when Dickie V’s around Sarasota!

Payton's Party:

altAs it appeared on www.dickvitaleonline.com in August 2006 by DIck Vitale:

"I was overwhelmed by the support in my Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton neighborhoods. So many beautiful people rallied around Payton Wright, a four-year old girl with a very rare brain cancer. I am so proud of the people in the area as they showed so much class, responding in a positive way.

They came out to support Payton and her family. She has been undergoing chemotherapy both in All-Children's Hospital in Florida and now at Duke. The parents, Holly and Patrick, have gone through so much, watching their girl go through such tough times. They are so strong and courageous.

Read more: Payton's Party:

Motivating the Troops at Mac Dill Air Force Base

altAs it appeared on www.dickvitaleonline.com in October 2005 by Dick Vitale:

"I was at MacDill Air Force base in Florida, speaking to hundreds of service members who will be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. They will represent our beautiful nation and the red, white and blue.

Within my speech, I told them how proud our country was of them, those willing to make sacrifices to help better our lives.

I also had a chance to share that many Hall of Fame coaches -- like Mike Krzyzewski, Bob Knight, Lute Olson, John Chaney and a host of others, like Tubby Smith, Rick Pitino, Roy Williams and Gary Williams -- would love to have them on their team. They would be our ultimate dream team because they represent all the characteristics the aforementioned coaches and yours truly would love to see in every athlete. 

They have superb discipline, dedication and desire. They are also unselfish, not greedy and thinking of me, me, me. It is all about team, baby, the best one of all, the USA, red, white and blue.

Read more: Motivating the Troops at Mac Dill Air Force Base

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