Answer: This University student will soon be viewed by a national audience on one of televisions highest-rated syndicated shows.
Question: Who is LSA first-year student Craig Barker?
Barker was one of 15 college students from across the country who took part in the "Jeopardy!" college tournament last month.
"I wasn't really nervous. I was extremely excited," Barker said. "I knew it was possible for me to win. And it was great being away from Michigan and school."
An avid reader who said he has a thirst for trivial facts, Barker has read an entire world almanac. Among the top of his class at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Livonia, Barker won numerous academic awards and was composition editor of his high school's newspaper.
Barker would not divulge how successful his "Jeopardy!" venture was, noting that all contestants were instructed by the show's producers to keep secret the results of the college tournament, taped in Culver City, Calif., on Feb. 25.
Barker said his family is "thrilled beyond imagination" about his selection.
"I had 12 family members in the audience. They all came to watch me," Barker said. Despite their unconditional support, Barker said he never considered losing. "My parents told me it didn't matter how I did, it was just great that I made it on 'Jeopardy!'. Of course I really wanted to win, though."
Barker is no newcomer to contests and trivia matches. As a member of the Michigan Academic Competitions team, he has competed in various games of knowledge and skill.
"I was on the quiz bowl in high school and at Michigan I'm on the college bowl, so contests aren't anything new for me," Barker said. "The only thing that was different about this was that I wasn't working with a team. It was different being alone."
Barker's friends said they share his enthusiasm about his game show appearance.
Engineering first-year student Kirsten Kresnak has known Barker for six years. "He's very energetic and enthusiastic," Kresnak said. "When people first meet him, they are in awe (of his intelligence)," Kresnak said. "When I found out that Craig was going to be on 'Jeopardy!,' I was very, very happy and excited."
LSA first-year student Dave Wallace, Barker's roommate, also said he became friends with Barker in high school. "I was very impressed when I heard about Craig passing the tryouts," Wallace said. "'Jeopardy!' has always been a large part of his life. He loves trivia."
Barker said appearing on "Jeopardy!" has been a longtime goal.
Practicing for his television debut was laid back and fun, Barker said.
"I had a lot of help from my friends, especially Dave and Kirsten. Dave and I would play computer Jeopardy all the time," he said.
Barker first got involved by sending an e-mail message to Sony Pictures, which owns the "Jeopardy!" game show. Sony replied, informing Barker that tryouts were on Nov. 9 and 10 in Minnesota.
The tryouts consisted of an exam administered to 190 students, from which eight were chosen. Barker took the test and passed, along with another University student. From there, it was practice time for Barker, until the day of taping last month in California.
Confidence has played a big part in Barker's success. "I knew I was smart enough to pass the tryouts, I just needed to see what type of people I was up against," Barker said of his feelings about trying out for the show.
Barker's "Jeopardy!" appearance will air on WDIV channel 4 on May 16.
JOSH BIGGS/Daily
LSA first-year student Craig Barker holds a hat he received for competing on Jeopardy!.