Jim Nantz of CBS is one of the most decorated sportscasters on television. He has anchored golf coverage for the network since 1986 and is also a commentator for college basketball and the NFL. Nantz was in town Tuesday for a benefit for the MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital. He graduated from UH in 1981. The Daily Cougar was able to catch up with him and get his comments on the UH of past and present.
Q: How do you feel about President Khator’s push for Tier 1?
A: I’m the biggest fan of Dr. Khator. We are so fortunate to have her dynamic leadership. She’s really helping the University in ways we’ve never seen before.
Q: What are your thoughts regarding the Athletics Department’s push for national relevance with plans for a new stadium?
A: It’s going to happen, we’re in a really good place. I’m proud of where it is. Mack Rhoades is a ball of energy. He has great leadership and ideas. He’s a visionary who will get us where we need to be. I’m really behind the thinking that we need to take the UH athletic department to a bigger and broader stage. We have the right people to get us there.
Q: What are some of your fondest memories at UH?
A: Being able to be on the golf team and have the mentoring of Dave Williams. It gave me my start, allowing me to be the public address announcer at Hofheinz. I’m very much indebted to the School of Communication.
I lived in Taub Hall, 101 Taub was my room. I treasure those days. I still have very close ties to my college roommates. We all had these crazy dreams with what we wanted to do with our lives, and we’ve been blessed to be able to live them out. Blaine McCallister, Freddy Couples (PGA golfers) and myself. We’re all about 51 now, and we came here as 17 and 18-year-olds.
How many people get to go to school with really close pals, and stay professionally and personally in touch as many years as we have? It’s been super. It’s been like a dream.
Q: What is your advice to students pursuing a career in broadcasting?
A: Parents tell me their kids want to get into broadcasting, and that they’ve remembered every box score and statistic. Don’t worry about statistics, worry about telling a story. Learn how to tell a story if you want to be a broadcaster. Really study English, I still do. Telling a beginning, middle and an end. Classical storytelling is what will get you far. Learn to write, and to appreciate the language. Have passion, energy and allow your mind to open up and dream big.
