Billy Packer, legendary college basketball broadcaster and former Wake Forest standout, passes away at 82
Billy Packer is being mourned by Wake Forest and the rest of the ACC community. The late legendary college broadcaster, a former standout player for the Demon Deacons, passed away at the age of 82.
Mark Packer, Billy’s son, shared the news on social media.
The Packer Family would like to share some sad news. Our amazing father, Billy, has passed. We take peace knowing that he’s in heaven with Barb. RIP, Billy. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/uFRixmgCcd
— Mark Packer (@MarkPacker) January 27, 2023
Before he was a broadcaster, Packer played for Wake Forest. He led the 1962 Demon Deacons to the only Final Four appearance in program history. Packer later returned to his alma mater and served as an assistant coach from 1966-70.
A Lasting Legacy. 🎩
📰: https://t.co/VB34ik5Eu2 pic.twitter.com/teMQLVxY8E
— Wake Forest Men’s Basketball (@WakeMBB) January 27, 2023
@wakembb lost one of its own in Billy Packer. Billy was an All-ACC guard at Wake Forest under Bones McKinney, and later the voice of college basketball in the ACC and nationally. He will be missed. Condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/43D8FPbtB7
— Mike Muse (@CoachMuse) January 27, 2023
Packer was one of the sport’s most prominent broadcasters, calling games for over 3 decades. From 1972-2008, Packer served as an ACC basketball analyst with various networks. He was the lead national analyst for NBC Sports from 1974-81 and CBS Sports from 1981-2008.
