Billy Packer, a renowned college basketball commentator, passed away on Thursday night at the age of 82 due to kidney failure. Packer was known for his 34-year tenure as the lead college basketball analyst for the Final Four, first at NBC and then at CBS, and for his work as an analyst for ACC games on Raycom.
Career and Accomplishments
Packer was the son of a long-time basketball coach and attended Wake Forest, where he was named All-ACC in 1961 and 1962. He briefly entered coaching before getting his start as an announcer in 1972 and did not give up his seat until 2008. Because of his outstanding sports personality, in 1993 he received and Sports Emmy.
In 1997 Billy Packer made one of his most famous calls in Final Four History. He said, “Simon says… championship” and right after Miles Simon led Arizona to the national title.
Also, in 1979 he was part of the broadcast along with Dick Enberg and Al McGuire, right when Magic Johnson’s State team won against Larry Bird’s Indiana State squad in the title game. To this date, the game remains the highest-rated in the whole of basketball history. With a 24.1 Nielsen rating and the number of viewers was around 35.1 million.
Tributes and Legacy
Packer’s impact on college basketball was widely recognized by those in the industry. Mark Packer, Billy’s son, said, “He really enjoyed doing the Final Fours…The ability to get involved in something that, frankly, he was going to watch anyway was a joy to him”. He stated that the incentive for college basketball fans to go crazy, was when college basketball took off with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
The chairman of CBS Sports, Sean McManus described Billy Packer as “synonymous with college basketball for more than three decades and set the standard of excellence as the voice of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.” ESPN college basketball analysts Dick Vitale and Fran Fraschilla, among others, paid tribute to Packer on Twitter. North Carolina basketball released a statement praising Packer’s “constant presence as part of the rich history of ACC and college basketball.”
In 2008 Billy Packer stepped away as CBS’ main analyst, and he was replaced by Clark Kellogg, causing some of the most important people involved in college sports to express their admiration for Packer and the impact his work had on the game.
His legacy in the world of college basketball will not be forgotten and his contributions to the game will be remembered for many years to come.
Packer’s knowledge and passion for the game of basketball was evident in every broadcast he was a part of. He had a unique ability to break down the game and explain the strategies and tactics being employed by the teams. He was also known for his candid analysis and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, even if it meant ruffling a few feathers.
Notable Moments
One of Packer’s most notable moments as a commentator was during the 1979 NCAA Championship game between Michigan State and Indiana State. The game featured Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, who would go on to become two of the greatest players in NBA history. Packer expertly called the game, providing insightful analysis and commentary, and the broadcast remains one of the most highly rated games in basketball history.
Packer’s contributions to the game of basketball and his impact on the sport of college basketball were immense. He was a true ambassador of the game and his passion and dedication to the sport will be deeply missed by fans and commentators alike. His legacy in the world of college basketball will continue to be celebrated and remembered for many years to come.
The passing of Billy Packer is a great loss to the world of college basketball. He was not only a great commentator but also a passionate fan of the game. He will be remembered for his contributions and his impact on the sport of college basketball. He was an institution in the world of basketball and will be missed by many.
