Legendary college basketball analyst and announcer Billy Packer passed away at the age of 82 on Monday. Packer was known for his work with CBS Sports for over three decades.
Packer was the play-by-play announcer for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament from 1975-2008 and called 34 Final Fours in that time. He was also an analyst for the Final Four from 2009-2014.
Packer was highly respected by his peers and was known for his knowledge of the game of basketball. During his career, Packer was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Packer’s passing has been met with an outpouring of love and appreciation from the basketball community. In a statement, CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus said, “Billy was one of the greats in the business and was a fixture on the CBS Sports team for more than three decades. He was a master of the game and brought a unique perspective to college basketball. He was highly respected by his peers, and his passion for the game was unmatched.”
Packer’s death has been felt across the country and the world of basketball. His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of fans everywhere.