'Thank you for being my friend': Jim Nantz signs off final National Championship game after 37 years of calling March Madness as UConn defeats San Diego State

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Jim Nantz signed off his final national championship game in poetic fashion on Monday night, as the legendary broadcaster soaked in his last moments calling college basketball.

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

And as he closed out the broadcast of UConn's emphatic 76-59 win over San Diego State, Nantz took a minute to look back on his time calling the sport.

'One thing I learned through all of this is everybody has a dream, and everybody has a story to tell. Just try to find that story. Be kind,' he said.

'You told it better than most, let me tell you,' his longtime broadcast partner Bill Raftery told him.

Jim Nantz watched 'One Shining Moment' on-court for the final time after the Huskies' win

Nantz concluded, 'To you, everybody 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 in those avenues.

Nantz took stock of his broadcasting career before the game.

'I've had the best seat in the house at the Super Bowl or the Masters or here for my whole career,' he told AP.

'And I've never gotten over the fact that I'm the one who's blessed with the chance to lend a voice to it, and to tell the story.'

For his final college game, Nantz saw the Huskies lift 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 second-half push from the Aztecs to end up with yet another double-digit victory. 

Nantz received a tribute video and standing ovation ahead of SDSU's win over Florida Atlantic

Connecticut players celebrate their win over San Diego State on Monday night in Houston