82-year-old BILLY Packer tragically passed away after losing a health struggle.
On Thursday night, the longtime basketball commentator’s demise was made official.
For more than 30 years, Packer served as the NCAA Tournament’s announcer.
On NBC and CBS, he served as the primary college basketball analyst for 34 consecutive Final Fours.
Billy had been in the hospital for three weeks, according to his son Mark Packer, who spoke to The Associated Press.
He had a number of illnesses, and kidney failure ultimately claimed his life.
Mark posted a tweet confirming his sad death.
It read: “The Packer Family would like to share some sad news. Our amazing father, Billy, has passed.
“We take peace knowing that he’s in heaven with Barb. RIP, Billy.”
Billy won a Sports Emmy in 1993 for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio and Sports Analyst.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Packer revealed how he never even wanted to be a broadcaster.
Coaching was the career he was chasing before getting a break in broadcasting in the 1970s.
“One of the things I said to myself was that I really enjoy the research and studying the game and having the opportunity to interface with people I respect that really know the game and its history.
“And if I didn’t enjoy doing that, I’d want to stop.
“There’s a point where you say, OK, I’ve enjoyed my run, and now it’s time to go back and do the other things I enjoy.
“The last game I’ve seen in person was the last game I broadcast.
“That was the [2008] national championship game between Memphis and Kansas.”
