The end of an era is upon us. But as the confetti rained navy and white in Houston after UConn dominated San Diego State, I wasn’t focused on a new blue blood being crowned to close March Madness. I wasn’t focused on the heralded “One Shining Moment” video. I was only focused on one thing, one man, to be exact. Jim Nantz, America’s friend, in his swan song.
I am not ashamed to say that my life would be indelibly different without Nantz. He has been the voice of March Madness, the NFL on CBS, and the PGA Tour for years. As I write this article, I’m sure the legend is cozying up in Butler Cabin with Sir Nick Faldo, ready for another storied week at Augusta for The Masters.
While Nantz’s career is not over, it is undoubtedly in its later stages. The 2023 NCAA Tournament was his last, after covering the tournament since 1986 when Louisville stunned Duke behind Pervis Ellison’s 25 points. His coverage on the Masters is winding down, a job he also undertook in 1986, when a golfer named Jack Nicklaus claimed his record 18th major. Needless to say, since his beginnings at the University of Houston to today, Jim Nantz is synonymous with the very fabric of American sports. His voice has been in our living rooms for generations, and as he enters the final stage of his career, I would be remiss without thanking a man I owe my career to.
What I’ve noticed about Nantz after watching him, and imitating him even, for years is not necessarily the sports he covers. The big moment is always there if Jim Nantz is calling the game. It’s Nantz himself that makes the moments more magical. It feels like you’re watching a game with your old friend when Nantz is on the call. This is the magic so many in the business have tried (and repeatedly failed) to convey.
Nantz also isn’t an egomaniac, like many in the sports media industry are. He has always carried an inspired sense of professionalism; he doesn’t mail in a single game, whether it’s a preseason NFL game or Sunday at Augusta. He has treated everyone, from his colleagues to janitors at the stadiums he travels to, with the same dignity and respect—a rare find in a cutthroat industry.
Jim Nantz has made an indelible mark on many aspiring journalists worldwide, myself included. In his final address from the Final Four, Nantz said, “Thank you for being my friend.” Jim, it’s been my (and America’s) honor. I’ll see you at Augusta.
Sports Editor
