Broadcasting legend Jim Nantz’s final work on an NCAA game went as smoothly as the many hundreds he’s called before: smooth, professional, and informative.
Then, after UConn had defeated San Diego State in the NCAA championship game Monday night and Nantz wrapped up the broadcast, things got a little emotional.
The 63-year-old Nantz, who has been the voice of the Final Four on CBS since 1991, is stepping away from his NCAA basketball duties after 37 years covering the sport. He will remain involved in his roles doing NFL and golf broadcasts with CBS.
As Monday’s broadcast concluded and Nantz finished his 354th and final NCAA Tournament game, he said simply, “Guys, I’m at a loss.”
Broadcast partner Bill Raftery, who worked with Nantz on his second NCAA broadcast way back in 1986, echoed, “We’re at a loss.”
Grant Hill, another longtime broadcast partner with Nantz, added, “We’re at a loss for sure — ‘The G.O.A.T.'”
“Just remember, one thing I learned through all of this is that everybody has a dream, and everybody has a story to tell,” Nantz said. “Just try to find that story. Be kind.”
“You told it better than most, let me tell you,” Raftery said.
“To everyone, to you, everybody in the college game, the CBS family, my family, all the viewers — thank you for being my friend.”
That final sign-off tugged at the heartstrings of viewers.
Direct shot to my chest https://t.co/YLpES6PQmx
— Jori Schiraldi (@JohnSchiraldi) April 4, 2023
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.