JIM PETERS: Harlan hoping for return to airwaves

Over the course of the last 18 years, Dick Harlan's distinctive voice has become synonymous with Valparaiso High School football and boys basketball broadcasts.

This winter, his absence is conspicuous.

Harlan went to the doctor for an ongoing cough that goes back to the middle of August. Subsequent tests revealed three tumors in the area of his left kidney.

Like anybody else, Harlan, 65, was floored by the sobering news.

"I've been healthy my whole life," he said. "I've never had any major sickness. All of a sudden, it hits me, straight out of left field."

Harlan, who started broadcasting in 1971 in Mount Carmel, Ill., held out hope to do Vikings hoops right up until the weekend before the first game. That's when he realized he just didn't have the strength. He contacted Chris Ramirez of the Region Sports Network, who told him his spot behind the microphone will be there for him next school year.

"It kills me. I miss it a lot, especially at Valparaiso," Harlan said. "It's what I do. It's who I am. I'm a broadcaster. I've been doing it my whole life. But this I what I have to put my energy into now. I have to get rid of this."

Harlan was hospitalized for two weeks in November and four days last week. Early indications are that the cancer had not spread. Tentative treatment plans include radiation followed at some point by surgery.

Given the circumstances, Purdue's excruciating loss to Butler on Saturday just isn't as big of a deal to Harlan, also a Boilermakers and Crusaders fan, as it would've been not all that long ago.

"I've been a very competitive guy my whole life. I played sports, I've been involved in sports," he said. "This has given me a whole new perspective. It's just a game. Games are to be enjoyed. Somehow, we forget that sometimes."

That's not the only eye-opener Harlan has had through his life's biggest challenge. He's also found out a whole bunch of people care. And he is absolutely not walking the road alone.

"I've been overwhelmed, blown away," he said. "Facebook messages. Emails. Cards. Well wishes. People say they are praying for me. It makes me feel great. You always assume people are listening, but I had no idea I apparently had some effect on that many people. It's been a very humbling experience. It's interesting the people I've met who have been through this that I didn't know had been through this. They're like, 'Hey, I've been there, too.'"

On Sunday, Harlan will spend Christmas with his daughter, Nicki, and his two grandchildren in Bloomington.

"It's the first time I'm going to see them open presents in their own house," he said.

And he doesn't plan on it being the last.

"I'm going to get over it," he said. "I'm too young to retire."

Valparaiso opens the 2012 football season Aug. 17 against Penn. That's seven months and 26 days away. Circle the calendar for Harlan's return.

This column represents the writer's opinion. Reach him at jim.peters@nwi.com.