Since I have been at ESPN over 28 years, I have met many people that have impacted the game I love. It will be special in four weeks when David Gavitt is inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Gavitt's enshrinement is special because he has been a giant in college basketball. He has been one of the real influential individuals in the growth of the sport in so many areas. He was the creator and innovator of the concept of the Big East Conference. What a league it has been!

Then he wielded his talent and knowledge and his impact with people across the collegiate basketball landscape to play a role in national television. Gavitt helped create the concept where the Jim Boeheims and Jim Calhouns have become soap opera stars. They are on television so often that they are known commodities.

People fail to realize that Gavitt was a brilliant tactician on the sidelines. At Providence College, he led the Friars to the Final Four with the dynamic duo of Ernie DiGregorio and Marvin Barnes. In 1973, Gavitt's team made it to the Final Four with DiGregorio, Barnes and Kevin Stacom before losing to Memphis.

He also served as chair of the NCAA basketball tournament selection committee from 1982-84 as the event grew in stature. Gavitt was the chair for the famed North Carolina-Georgetown game, as well as Jimmy V's great upset of Phi Slama Jama. Under his reign, the tournament expanded to 64 teams.

He was also scheduled to coach the US Olympic team in 1980 but was denied the opportunity when the squad boycotted the Olympics. Gavitt also served as President of USA basketball from 1988-92.

Gavitt is so deserving of this honor. The only thing that kept him for being enshrined earlier are the rules and regulations. He was the chairman of the board of directors of the Hall of Fame until 2003.

He has been a vital force in collegiate hoops. Gavitt is a major contributor to the sport. I have been very fortunate to watch and observe his talents from afar. This man gets the attention of people when he walks into a room. He is well respected by administrators, coaches and players, as respected as anyone I know.

I am thrilled that Gavitt is being honored as a member of the Hall of Fame!

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.