Packer a model of consistency
When you think about Billy Packer, the word consistency comes to mind. He called the final game of the NCAA tournament for 34 straight years. Wow!
To put it in perspective, I have never called the championship game. I have been blessed and lucky to do so many great games during my tenure at ESPN.
I have nothing but the greatest respect for Packer. Anybody who can test time, in today's day and age with the scrutiny and evaluations, it is a testimony to the job he has done. Packer was brilliant on the sideline.
To be honest, I stole a little from him and a little from the late, great Al McGuire. They teamed up with one of the greats, Dick Enberg, in a three-man booth that was so, so impressive. I watched, admired and respected what they achieved. As my boss who gave me my first job at ESPN (Scotty Connal) said, you should entertain and educate. I felt the combination of Packer and McGuire did just that!
I took McGuire's shtick and pizzazz plus Packer's X and O philosophy.
Yes, Packer and I did have our differing viewpoints at times. Where we were very similar was in our love for the sport of college basketball. We both had passion for the game. Those kids who put on the uniform and gave it their all on the court meant so much to both of us.
Billy and I had different styles to communicate our points. In the end, we both cared so much about the student-athletes and the game they love. There is a passion for the sport that we shared.
I know people realize the differences in us. I am the shy, reserved, introverted guy! Just kidding, Billy!
I couldn't agree more with Packer's broadcasting partner, Jim Nantz. Jim spoke at the Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony during the Final Four, and he stated Packer deserved to be in as well.
I am so proud to be a member of the new Hall of Fame class in Springfield and I am sure that Billy Packer will be joining me soon. He has served the college basketball community so well and he will be missed so much, starting next season.
He helped to motivate and inspire me. While we disagreed on a number of subject matters, the word Aretha Franklin sung out was so true: R-E-S-P-E-C-T! I definitely have respect for his professionalism and candidness he brought to the microphone.
Packer will be inducted into the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in Kansas City this fall. That is a prestigious honor and I am proud to be joining him on that special occasion. It is a Hall that will honor those helping make the game of college basketball special, and Billy certainly did that over the years teaming up with Nantz.
