Sports
Jim Nantz: What to know about his last NCAA championship broadcast – USA TODAY
Even after calling so many of the biggest sporting events in recent memory — including Super Bowls, Masters tournaments and Final Four battles — Jim Nantz is still basking in the moment.
The iconic CBS play-by-play broadcaster will call his final NCAA basketball game Monday when No. 4 seed Connecticut and No. 5 seed San Diego State meet in the men’s national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Despite facing his last college basketball broadcast, Nantz told USA TODAY Sports that “gratitude” was his prevailing emotion ahead of Monday’s title game.
“This has been such a big part of my life,” Nantz said. “It’s always tough when you know you’re not going to get to go through this again. … I’m nostalgic but it’s not a melancholy feeling right now. It’s appreciation … gratitude.
“And that’s how I’m getting through this weekend with a smile on my face and not weeping.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the final NCAA broadcast of Nantz’s career:
No. Nantz will continue as CBS’ lead broadcaster on NFL and golf broadcasts, including Super Bowls televised by the network as well as the Masters, beginning later this week at Augusta National.
“I’m not retiring,” Nantz told USA TODAY Sports. “I’ve still got about 40 weeks a year to cover the NFL, the Super Bowl and golf for another dozen years or so.”
Nantz told the New York Post that he wants to spend more time with family. Nantz has a daughter, Caroline, and a younger son, Jameson. He is married to Courtney Richards.
NRG Stadium gave Nantz a standing ovation prior to Saturday’s semifinal matchup between San Diego State and Florida Atlantic. Nantz acknowledged the crowd after a compilation video of his Final Four broadcast history was shown.
Nantz also reflected on the many relationships he’s made over the years.
“It’s a celebration of people I had the great fortune of working with and the people I got to know on the road to the Final Four all these years,” Nantz said. “The players, the coaches, the NCAA committee members. It’s a big world out there in college basketball and I have had a little bit to do with the voice and the documenting of some of its biggest moments.
“It has been an honor that is difficult to put into words. I make a living with my words but this one is difficult to express just the perfect way.”