March Madness: Jim Nantz signs off for final national title game after 37 years of NCAA Tournament

Jim Nantz poetically signed off his final national championship game on Monday night, as the legendary broadcaster was drenched in his final moments citing college basketball.

Nantz has called NCAA Tournament games for 37 years and was the lead commentator on March Madness for 23 years, but the 63-year-old has decided to dedicate time to that role.

And as he wrapped up the broadcast of UConn’s emphatic 76-59 victory over San Diego State, Nantz took a moment to reflect on his time calling the sport.

“One thing I’ve learned through all of this is that everyone has a dream and everyone has a story to tell. Try to find that story. Be nice,’ he said.

“You told it better than most, let me tell you,” his old broadcast partner Bill Raftery told him.

Nantz concluded, “To you, everyone in the college game, my CBS family, my family, all the viewers – thank you for being my friend.”

The announcer is also well known to American viewers for his work in other sports – including golf and the NFL – and will continue to call games on those avenues.

Nantz took stock of his broadcasting career before the game.

“I’ve had the top spot in the house my whole career at the Super Bowl or the Masters or here,” he told the AP.

“And I never got over the fact that I’m the one blessed with the chance to voice it and tell the story.”

Before his final college game, Nantz saw the Huskies win their fifth men’s basketball championship.

After taking a 12-10 lead with 13:58 remaining in the first half, the Huskies led the rest of the way and survived a push from the Aztecs in the second half to finish with another double-digit win.