Dick Vitale’s wife Lorraine McGrath

Dick Vitale is a former high school, college, and NBA head coach, and is now one of the most well-respected and iconic basketball broadcasters around. He has been calling high school and college basketball games for more than 41 years and has amassed numerous awards and accolades, including getting inducted into the Basketball and College Basketball Halls of Fame. In this post, though, we're focusing on Dick Vitale's wife Lorraine McGrath.

However, this did not look likely at the outset as Dickie V did not want to accept ESPN's broadcasting gig. It was actually his wife, Lorraine McGrath, who convinced him to take the opportunity that would eventually lead him to be one of the most iconic voices in sports. In this piece, we'll take a deep dive into the life of the wife of one of college basketball's legendary figures.

Dick Vitale's wife Lorraine McGrath

Dick Vitale's wife Lorraine McGrath was born on April 13, 1945. She is 76 years old as of December 2021. There is no information online as to what her line of work is.

Despite her husband being a prominent figure in sports broadcasting, Lorraine seems to prefer keeping away from the spotlight. She has neither a Wikipedia page nor any known social media accounts of her own. However, she has always been prominently featured in Dickie V's social media accounts. All of Vitale's profile pictures on his accounts feature his wife alongside him.

In fact, she has been beside Vitale for more than 50 years now, with the couple tying the knot way back in 1971. They met two years prior in 1969. In fact, they met on Thursday, October 16 of that year on the dot; the day when the New York Mets won the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles. Dick and Lorraine first laid eyes on one another in the Blue Swann Inn, when Dick was still coaching the East Rutherford High School basketball team. He apparently made a bet with his friends regarding whether or not she will reconsider dancing with him after declining him earlier. Vitale had this to say regarding the fateful Thursday evening:

“I met Lorraine in 1969, the day the New York Mets won the World Series. The Mets won a World Championship and I hit a grand slam.”

It's safe to say that it was a great day for everyone involved.

The couple wed about 8 years before ESPN would hire Vitale. As was mentioned, he initially did not want to accept the budding sports network's offer, as he wanted to stick to coaching. However, Lorraine would actually be the one to persuade her husband to eventually accept the ESPN offer. In a way, Lorraine had a big hand in giving college basketball one of its icons.

Lorraine has always been supportive of her husband's work ever since he started with ESPN, as evidenced by her encouragement. Of course, one will find it a tall order to stay in such a post for more than 40 years (through a pandemic, no less), but this support has certainly done wonders for Dick's longevity. The couple went viral recently, as Dick was commentating on a December 2020 NCAA game remotely.

“They made a three, Dan! They made a three! Oh wow. I'm gonna celebrate. Hey, Lorraine, Lorraine get me something to eat in that kitchen.” – Dickie V to his wife, Lorraine, and his broadcast partner Dan Shulman.

It's a wholesome little moment between Dick and Lorraine that a lot of people got to see.

As was mentioned, Dick and Lorraine had just recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. Dick had this to say about her and their golden anniversary, via Dick's Instagram account:

“Yes I have been so blessed to have a beautiful loving wife like Lorraine for 50 years & a fantastic caring family. It is so great to have especially when facing tough times . Yes I will share Wednesday after 1pm on social media. OMG thanks for giving me the greatest gift of ALL a beautiful loving family !” – Dick Vitale on the 50th anniversary of his marriage with Lorraine via an Instagram post.

That's awesome, baby. 

The couple has two daughters, Terri and Sherri, as well as five grandchildren. Both of their daughters attended the University of Notre Dame.

However, this is not the only connection between the Vitales and Notre Dame: Dick and Lorraine have made a $1 million donation to the university to create the Dick Vitale Family Spirit Scholarship. She is also closely involved in her husband's V Foundation, a fund for cancer research. The couple's philanthropic efforts are as well-documented as they are noble.

It's great to see such a long-lasting and fruitful relationship like what Lorraine has had with Dick, particularly in the sporting world. All the best to Lorraine and Dick, who is currently on hiatus from ESPN due to an unfortunate issue with his vocal cords. Nonetheless, this is all the information we have on Dick Vitale's wife Lorraine McGrath.