UConn alumnus makes second trip to popular trivia show

By: Lindsay Larsen

Posted: 9/18/08

A UConn alumni appeared for the second time on "Jeopardy" Tuesday night, winning $14,401 in prize money.

Yoni Freund, who graduated from UConn in May with degrees in psychology and Judaic studies, appeared on the game show as part of a Kids' Week Reunion. Freund first appeared on Jeopardy in 1999, when he was 12 years old.

Freund said he did not need to try out again, and was asked to appear on the reunion show.

"They decided to have their first reunion show for the kids, because we're all 20 and 21, and it's a great human interest story to see how young Jeopardy contestants fare in college and beyond," Freund said.

Freund won $14,401 on the show, which was taped in August, and was the only contestant to answer the Final Jeopardy question correctly.

"I was so proud of my performance," said Freund.

The question asked who was the last president to be elected without first serving as a governor. The answer was George H. W. Bush. However, another contestant, Joel Serna, was ahead and did not wager anything so he won the competition.

The competition was tough, Freund said.

"I went against probably the two sharpest cookies in the whole week," he said. "Honestly, between the three of us we knew nearly every question, and it just came down the buzzer and Daily Doubles."

"I knew I had to take risks and I did," he said. "When I got the first Daily Double of the game I instantly bet it all, because it was my only chance of catching up with Joel."

He said his competition, which included third contestant Allex Fambles, was not only smart, but kind people as well.

"Joel, the eventual winner, promised one of his friends that if he won he'd pay for her fall tuition," Freund said. "When I heard that, I thought: that's good karma."

The worst part of the experience for Freund was missing a question in a category about the Bible, since he is now a graduate student in religious studies at Columbia University.

Freund said that he was so nervous the first time he was on the show at age 12, he couldn't sleep, but this time he was slightly more relaxed.

Freund used some of his winnings to record his debut folk album, recorded two weeks ago and entitled "Breath of Fresh Air." The album will be released in a few months.

Freund said he enjoyed the chance to represent UConn on Jeopardy.

"I'm so proud that I got to represent UConn and that they mentioned the school in such a positive light when Alex Trebek interviewed me," said Freund. "I hope to use my music and my whole experience as an inspiration and example to UConn students of following what their gut, no matter where it leads them."