An emotional

Dick Vitale, in his fourth time being nominated for enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, was one of six selected Monday to the class of 2008.

Normally never at a loss for words, Vitale -- who first revealed his election to listeners of ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" -- took several deep breaths before being able to describe what the honor means to him.

"I'm just in awe I have to tell you, I cried like a baby," Vitale told listeners. He also became emotional when interviewed at Monday's formal announcement in San Antonio, site of the Final Four.

Vitale tried to put into words what being placed among the game's all-time greats means to him.

"To have my bust up there with people I idolize, people that I'm in awe of," Vitale said. "People like the John Woodens and the Dean Smiths and the Bob Knights and the Mike Krzyzewskis. All these people like Oscar Robertson and Jerry West I think about the fact that a guy like myself, a sixth grade teacher out of New Jersey, chasing a dream. Never a great player, didn't have a big name as a coach. But because of ESPN and George Bodenheimer and all you beautiful people that I work with, have given me an opportunity to do something that I love."

Vitale admitted that until about a decade ago, he didn't know he could be considered for induction as a contributor to the game.

"Really, all I've been is a guy with one common denominator," he said. "I can't run. I can't jump. I can't shoot. But I've always had a terrific passion and enthusiasm for whatever I've tried to do in life.