Buttrey’s successful streak – which started throughout final yr’s “Jeopardy!” Professors Event – lastly got here to an finish within the present’s prestigious Event of Champions, which was recorded in Los Angeles earlier this fall and televised, Oct. 31 – Nov. 21.
However the affiliate professor in NPS’ Operations Analysis division, who completed third total behind TOC champion Amy Schneider within the event finals, had no regrets about his efficiency on the Alex Trebek Stage.
“Actually, I believe I might have been fairly glad if I’d gained simply the primary recreation, however after all I’m excited to have made it to the finals,” mentioned Buttrey, who joined associates and colleagues on campus Nov. 16 and 18 to observe two of his video games – together with his lone win within the TOC finals. “This most up-to-date event was a particular delight as a result of I had watched the opposite rivals play. So it was neat to go up towards them and see how I might do.”
Buttrey earned a $50,000 prize for his third-place end within the Event of Champions, hosted by former “Jeopardy!” champion Ken Jennings. Schneider, from Oakland, Calif., gained the event’s grand prize of $250,000, whereas Andrew He of San Francisco earned $100,000 for ending second.
“All of us at NPS are tremendously happy with Sam for successful the inaugural ‘Jeopardy!’ Professors Event final yr and for his deep run this yr into the finals of the Event of Champions,” mentioned NPS President, retired Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau. “Sam’s colleagues and college students know his wit and mind first-hand, and I believe his uplifting spirit got here by on the present, amassing many followers throughout the nation to cheer him on with us. Sam’s success displays his – and all of our college and employees’s – deep dedication and repair to our women and men in uniform finding out right here at NPS, getting ready them as warrior-scholars to return to the fleet and joint power to guide and make a distinction within the protection of our nation.”
Buttrey had certified for the Event of Champions due to his win within the 2021 Professors Event, which aired final December. Throughout his run, Buttrey rapidly gained a nationwide following on account of his uncanny resemblance to comic Steve Martin, to not point out his sharp, self-deprecating wit.
What’s extra, after successful the Professors Event, Buttrey and his spouse selected to start out a scholarship endowment at California State College, Monterey Bay, with greater than half of his $100,000 winnings.
“It appeared like a good suggestion to make use of the cash to foster schooling, and we appreciated the thought of working domestically,” mentioned Buttrey.
Along with Buttrey, the Event of Champions discipline of 21 included 5 “super-champions” (10 wins or extra), all contestants with 4 or extra wins since 2020, the winner of the Nationwide School Championship event, and two “Second Probability” qualifiers.
Simply as he did the yr earlier than, Buttrey superior to the TOC finals with robust performances within the first two rounds. Within the semifinals, Buttrey scored an upset victory over “super-champion” Matt Amodio, who owns the third-longest successful streak (38 video games) in “Jeopardy!” historical past behind Jennings and Schneider.
“You need to be intimidated while you play somebody like Matt or Amy, however on the similar time everyone knows that there’s numerous game-to-game variability – that’s, there’s luck within the questions, the areas of the every day doubles, and simply the way you’re working the buzzer that day,” Buttrey mentioned.
With the event over, Buttrey is now again at work, getting ready for finals and commencement earlier than the vacations. He’s grateful for his expertise on “Jeopardy!” – though he confessed that he nonetheless hasn’t heard from a sure comic.
“I haven’t heard from Steve Martin, and at this level I don’t actually anticipate to, however I hope he’d be as amused as I’m by the reactions of all of the individuals noticing a sure similarity,” Buttrey mentioned. “And I’m glad that I used to be capable of give off an exuberant vibe in the midst of this pretty annoying scenario. I believe individuals reacted to seeing me having enjoyable, and I’m completely satisfied for that.”
