Billy Packer dead at 82 – Basketball’s NCAA vote sadly passes after health battle

BILLY Packer sadly passed away at the age of 82 after losing a health battle.

The longtime basketball commentator’s death was confirmed Thursday night.

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Packer was the voice of the NCAA tournament for more than 30 years.

He was the senior collegiate basketball analyst for 34 consecutive Final Fours on NBC and CBS.

His son Mark Packer told The Associated Press Billy had been in the hospital for three weeks.

He suffered from several medical problems and eventually died of kidney failure.

Mark posted a tweet confirming his sad passing.

It read: “The Packer Family would like to share some sad news. Our amazing father, Billy, has passed away.

“We make peace knowing he’s in heaven with Barb. RIP, Billy.”

Billy won a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio and Sports Analyst in 1993.

In a recent interview with The Athletic, Packer revealed he never wanted to be a broadcaster.

Coaching was the career he pursued before taking a break from broadcasting in the 1970s.

He said: “I made it my goal halfway through my career that one day I wouldn’t do it anymore.

“One of the things I said to myself was that I really enjoy researching and studying the game and having the opportunity to connect with people who I respect and who really know the game and its history.

“And if I didn’t enjoy it, I would want to quit.

“There’s a point where you say, OK, I enjoyed my run, and now it’s time to go back and do the other things I enjoy.

“The last game I saw in person was the last game I broadcast.

“That was the [2008] national championship game between Memphis and Kansas.”