This is Jeopardy!

Student wins big on TV quiz show

By Will Weissert
Daily News Editor

FILE PHOTO Craig Barker, an LSA first-year student, won big on the popular syndicated quiz show "Jeopardy!" last spring. Barker won the program's college tournament on a question about the Bible, netting him $25,000 and a new Volvo. He will compete for the program's overall title in November.

"What is Egypt?"

For Craig Barker, each word meant roughly $8,300 and one-third of a new car, as the LSA first-year student narrowly beat out students from Michigan State University and Marisp University in the final round to win "Jeopardy"'s college tournament.

"The Final Jeopardy of the last day was my most uncomfortable time - the Bible was my worst category," Barker said.

Despite reservations, Barker was able to come up with 'The final word in the Book of Genesis' and win his forth straight game - earning him $25,000, a new Volvo, and securing a $25,000 scholarship to the University in his name.

"It was a lot of fun - it was something I've always wanted to do," Barker said. "Seeing the things I saw, meeting the people I met, it was an experience I will never forget."

But Barker's "Jeopardy" jaunt is not over yet. In November he will head back to Los Angeles to compete in "Jeopardy"'s Tournament of Champions.

"I'm not exactly sure when I'll be going back - with my luck it will be during midterms," Barker joked.

Scoff as he might, Barker's appearance on Jeopardy relied on a little bit of luck and a lot of good timing. It began last November when he headed to Minneapolis as part of the University's College Bowl Tournament team.

During a visit to the city's Mall of America, Barker found Jeopardy hosting tryouts for potential players.

"I have always said in the back of my mind when I watch the show that I could be a contestant and do very well," Barker said. "I wanted to be a contestant for a long time and when the opportunity arose in Minnesota, I went for it."

Some of Barker's friends said his victory came as no surprise.

"Once I found out he was going to be on the show I knew he would win," said longtime friend and Engineering sophomore Kirstin Kresnack. "When he got back from California he asked me (if) I wanted to know if he had won or not. I said I did, and he told me he won. I was thrilled but not surprised."

Barker said it was hard to keep his victory a secret.

"By my third day back everyone knew I had won," Barker said. "They told us 'if you win it will be hard to hide the giant trophy in your dorm room.' They were right."

More than two months after his victory, Barker, along with family and friends, gathered to watch his final game, which was broadcast in May.

"It was strange to see him on TV all week, but that Friday he won was the most interesting," Kresnack said. "Everyone was gathered around the TV and there were reporters there and we were posing for pictures. It was a lot of fun."

Barker said seeing himself on TV was exciting, but only when things were going well.

"It was weird seeing myself at first, but only because I played very poorly the first round of the first day," Barker said. "When I played better it wasn't as weird to watch."

Barker, who wants to be attend the School of Business Administration, said he will use his winnings to pay insurance on his new car and then save the rest for a rainy day.

"I will buy a nice CD player and some music, but then I will look to make a few investments," Barker said. "Just the interest on the money should be enough to buy my books next fall if I put the money in the right places."

Barker said he plans to give his future opponents a run for their money the next time he steps in front of the camera.

"I can't complain about how I did, but now that I know what to expect I should play better the next time around," Barker said.

"The first time I played a little conservatively because there was real money at stake for the first time. I will be used to that the next time I play," Barker continued.

09-03-97