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This Brandeisian tested his mettle on 'Jeopardy!' by Adam Levin (brandeis.edu)
Note: Read more about how Levin prepared to be on Jeopardy! in the next issue of CoSIDA 360 Magazine, which will be available next week digitally and soon in your mailbox.
by Dan Ryan, Bethune-Cookman University, Historian/Senior Writer/Women's Basketball Contact
Levin (right) came up $18 short in his bid to upset defending champion James Holzhauer (left). He now holds the record for the highest non-winning score in the show's history.
It’s a record a Sports Information Director could love, so maybe it’s fitting a Sports Information Director now holds the Jeopardy record for the highest non-winning total in Jeopardy! history.
That’s how
Adam Levin nearly knocked off Jeopardy! Juggernaut James Holzhauer in his appearance that aired nationally Monday night.
The Brandeis SID finished with $53,999, but Holzhauer also answered Final Jeopardy correctly and bid just enough to beat Levin by $18 for his 18th victory.
“That record that could be held by anybody,” Levin said. “But I appreciate that.”
It was only the second time to that point anyone had been within striking distance of Holzhauer entering Final Jeopardy. Levin trailed by $6,517 and wagered $26,999 while Holzhauer wagered 20,500 to finish with $54,017
Both competitors answered with the correct response to, "The oldest of these business booster groups, formed in Marseille in 1599, uses 'de' instead of 'of' in the name." Each wrote: "Chamber of Commerce."
Levin likened the appearance to seeing one of his teams play a great game, but the other team was just better.
“I did everything I could do and I was a few dollars short,” Levin. “But I was living the dream.”
Levin sat through a day’s worth of taping without being called, but then had his chance on the first taping the following day. Even after watching Holzhauer steamroll through five victories, Levin remained confident.
“I still felt like I had a shot,” Levin said. “I was going to be a good player no matter who the opposition was.”
Levin had nothing but praise for Holzhauer, now the program’s second all-time winnings leader behind Ken Jennings.
“He’s a nice guy,” Levin said. “After the taping, he went over to my son, gave him a high five and said `You should be proud of your dad.’ As we say around here, `such a mensch.’’’