Hofstra alum, 'Jeopardy' superfan returns to host campus version

The category: “You Can Go Home Again.”

• The clue: This Hofstra University alumnus returned to campus Thursday night to host a new version of the game show “Jeopardy!” with college student contestants.
• Answer: Who is Emmy-winning sports television host Katie Nolan for the win!

Nolan, a "Celebrity Jeopardy!" finalist and a self-proclaimed superfan, hosted an interactive version, played for the first time Thursday on mobile phones, with about 50 students at Hofstra’s Science and Innovation Center in Hempstead.

The event was a preview of Friday night’s sold-out interactive game and podcast, “Inside Jeopardy!” at the Edge at Hudson Yards, hosted by show legend Ken Jennings.

Nolan, who graduated from Hofstra in 2009 with a public relations degree, has gone on to win an Emmy Award as host of the Fox Sports  TV show “Garbage Time.”

She has also appeared on ESPN and done color commentary on Apple+ for its Friday night telecasts of Major League Baseball.

“Everybody knows it's been around for a very long time,” she said of the legendary game show. “A lot of us have a history of watching it with our parents or our grandparents. I just want to continue bringing what I think is the best game show in America to a new generation of kids.”

During Thursday’s game, student-contestants answered multiple choice questions presented by Nolan in "Jeopardy!" style.

The New York-related categories included: “Hudson Yards,” “Inside the Edge.” “New York City,” “Live on Tour” and “Inside Jeopardy!”

Anthony Santiago, 31, of New York City and a law student at Hofstra, was the overall winner, claiming "Jeopardy!" merchandise and a signed photo by Jennings.

“I’ve watched 'Jeopardy!' since I was a kid,” Santiago said. “I thought it was really fun and I did a lot better than I expected.”

Brandon Gilmore, 26, of Smithtown, said he played Thursday as a fan of the show and also a fan of Nolan’s work.

“It was probably 75% to play 'Jeopardy!' and ‘Oh, my god, I might meet Katie Nolan,’ ” Gilmore said. “I thought it was really interesting and cool to be part of something new.”

Students were also invited to take the “Jeopardy! Anytime” quiz, which the show uses to screen contestants.

Nolan said she studied general trivia for the game show, but learned it's also about wagering the right amount and practicing buzzing in.

“I think the best thing about 'Jeopardy!' is that it rewards curiosity. And so, I think if you can incentivize it for kids, it can make it more fun,” Nolan said. “It’s more of a competition to learn new things and to retain that information. That's the best thing you could do that make us all smarter.”

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.