Legendary Broadcaster Jim Nantz has Clemson connections, wanted to attend Clemson
Broadcaster Jim Nantz has some Clemson orange in his blood. Who knew?
Nantz sat down with members of Clemson basketball's social media team while the team was practicing in Omaha this afternoon.
"I am very excited about seeing the Tigers and calling their games," Nantz said.
He wanted to let people know that he has a few ties to the University that not many people know about.
His sister went to Clemson in the 1970s and was on the swim team back when Clemson actually had one. She saw Clemson legend Wayne Monte "Tree" Rollins play basketball while he was there while Steve Fuller was on the football team.
"I actually wanted to go to Clemson," Nantz said. "I wanted to play golf there but it turned out they weren't interested in me for that so it didn't work out."
Nantz also had an assistant who was a part of his team for a long time, Beth Mckinnis, who works for the University and speaks in front of legislature at the State House in Columbia.
A milestone in Nantz's young broadcasting career also took place because of Clemson.
"My first basketball game or any sporting event that I called play-by-play was at the IPTAY Invitational," Nantz added.
He was a student at the University of Houston, majoring in broadcasting, and was the backup play-by-play voice for Rice University. The Emmy Award winner was in the old Littlejohn when his sister and has been to the campus many times.
"I was just a die-hard Clemson fan as a young kid," Nantz said. "I rejoice in all the success they've had in football. It's great to see what Brad (Brownell) has done with this basketball team. I wish them well. This team is to not be underrated."
Lastly, Nantz had one final message for Clemson fans everywhere:
"To all the Clemson Tiger nation out there, I say thanks for a lot of great memories and hopefully I can bring one or two more your way as well."
Nantz will call Clemson's game against Kansas on Friday night at 7:07 PM along with Bill Raftery and Grant Hill.