Anthony William Packer born Anthony William Paczkowski was an award winning American college basketball player, sportscaster, and author. During his 30 plus years career, Packer was regarded as a sharp-eyed, opinionated lead college basketball analyst for NBC and CBS whose commentary was heard during every Final Four game of the N.C.A.A. men’s basketball tournament from 1975 to 2008. Packer was born in Wellsville, New York and attended Liberty High School in Bethlehe and subsequently enrolled a... moreAnthony William Packer born Anthony William Paczkowski was an award winning American college basketball player, sportscaster, and author. During his 30 plus years career, Packer was regarded as a sharp-eyed, opinionated lead college basketball analyst for NBC and CBS whose commentary was heard during every Final Four game of the N.C.A.A. men’s basketball tournament from 1975 to 2008. Packer was born in Wellsville, New York and attended Liberty High School in Bethlehe and subsequently enrolled at Wake Forest University where he played basketball. He graduated in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. In 1966 he returned to the university as an assistant coach. His career in broadcasting began in 1972 whilst working as sales manager for a radio station in Winston-Salem. He was asked by a friend to fill in for the announcer of an A.C.C. game being televised by a syndicator. He soon became a regular on the show and in 1974 he was hired by NBC. It was the beginning of what would be a long successful career for Packer where he was at center of college basketball for 34 years. Packer won several awards throughout his career including the Marvin Francis Award for "notable achievement and service in coverage of the ACC.
