Funeral Mass for John Andariese Set for March 21

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's Statement on John Andariese
 
Bronx, N.Y. – The Fordham University community mourns the loss of former men's basketball standout and Athletic Hall of Famer John Andariese, FCRH '60, who passed away at his home in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday. He was 78.
 
A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 21, at 11:00 AM in the University Church.

"The entire Fordham community lost a great man," said Fordham Director of Athletics David Roach. "As great of a player that he was on the court, John Andariese was an even better person off the court. He was a true ambassador of Fordham University. Our thoughts and prayers are with John's wife, Maureen; his daughters, Amy, Julie and Emily; and his entire family."
 
John Andariese's basketball career began as an All-City player at St. Michael's Diocesan High School in Brooklyn. He then moved on to Fordham University where he had a distinguished playing career under Hall of Fame head coach Johnny Bach. Andariese headed two National Invitational Tournaments (NIT's) teams (1958 and 1959) and, in his senior year, served as a captain for the Rams and was honored as an All-Metropolitan Area selection when he averaged 13.0 ppg and 8.7 rpg.
 
Andariese, who was nicknamed "Johnny Hoops," began his broadcasting career with the college game in 1968-1969 before he served as the New York Knicks analyst for nearly 35 years, beginning on the team's radio broadcasts in 1972. He also served for 12 years as the MSG Network's Knicks analyst with play-by-play partner Marv Albert before heading back to the radio side where he continued until his retirement prior to the 2012-2013 season.
 
The MSG Network said in a statement: "We are very saddened by the news of John Andariese's passing. John was a beloved broadcaster and New York icon whose love for the 'City Game' was second to none. He spent 34 years at MSG doing what he loved — calling Knicks games on radio and MSG Network — and his voice will live on with Knicks fans forever."
 
Despite being one of the few NBA analysts who never played in the league, Andariese won multiple Emmy Awards for his work. He received the Curt Gowdy Media Award by the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014 for his for outstanding contributions to basketball at the National Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony. He is also enshrined in the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978.
 
Andariese is survived by his wife, Maureen; three daughters, Julie, Emily and Amy; and four grandchildren.
 
Funeral plans have not yet been decided but are expected to take place next week in New York.