Beloved NBA analyst was once Northwestern's 'Willie the Wildcat'

Craig Sager’s  broadcasting style matched his fashion sense.

It was unique, it was loud, it was funny, it was…him. He had a way of bringing out the best in the coaches and players he interviewed. Because of that, he became on of the most popular and recognizable broadcasters in all of sports.

Before he was flaunting those colorful suits on the sidelines, though, Sager was actually sporting another suit. During his college years at Northwestern, the broadcaster was behind the mask of Willie the Wildcat, rooting on his school on the basketball floor on the football field.

Northwestern remembered one of its popular alums on Twitter:

Craig Sager was Willie the Wildcat at his Alma mater, Northwestern. Despite outrageous outfits, CS was consummate pro. RIP my friend @NEWS9 pic.twitter.com/s2khkeNM5Q

— Dean Blevins (@DeanBlevins) December 15, 2016

Beloved alum #CraigSager wore the @WillieWildcatNU suit long before donning colors a plenty on @NBA sidelines. We are forever #SagerStrong. pic.twitter.com/erhKkxfhGX

— Northwestern (@NorthwesternU) December 15, 2016

Sager passed away on Thursday after a battle with cancer. He had spent the last 20 years broadcasting NBA games with TNT. His career included stops with CNN, Turner Sports, NBC Sports and ESPN.

Sager was 65.