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Jennings’ visit recalls DePauw success on ‘GE College Bowl’
One day after the DePauw University appearance of the greatest “Jeopardy!” champion of all time marks the anniversary of the completion of the undefeated run by DePauw’s GE College Bowl team.
On Feb. 26, 1962, a four-member DePauw team, coached by Prof. Robert Weiss, completed their five-match run, which coincidentally began with a victory over “Jeopardy!” great Ken Jennings‘ alma mater, Brigham Young.
Vanquishing five straight opponents, DePauw whiz kids Nan Braude, Jerry Frost, Bill Stackman and team captain Bob Nordvall became only the seventh team in the three-year history of the popular CBS TV show to retire as undefeated champions. In doing so, the DePauw team earned $9,000 – remember, this is 1962 -- in scholarships for the university, awarded by the General Electric Co., program sponsor.
The DePauw team was greeted by a cheering crowd that waited at the Indianapolis airport and then at 1 a.m. on the DePauw campus, where nearly the entire student body gathered in a cold rain to celebrate the victors’ homecoming
Hundreds of letters, telegrams and phone calls poured in to Greencastle from jubilant alumni, friends and even strangers.
“Words just can’t express the happy spirit of the City of Greencastle in giving thanks for the honor and distinction brought its way,” said Mayor Ray Fisher. “It is our sincere wish to let these talented young students in our community know just how much their success is shared by the entire area.”
The first DePauw victory toppled Brigham Young, a four-time winner. The team from Greencastle came from behind in the final eight minutes for a 240-175 victory. Having disposed of the reigning champs, DePauw took care of Marquette University, 280-120.
Following a 305-140 triumph over Willamette University, “College Bowl” master of ceremonies Allen Ludden (he of “Password“ fame) commented, “We think they are a brilliant group of young people, very attractive and very nice to work with. They have great spirit.”
To advance, DePauw needed to knock off a fourth challenger, and the University of Alabama put up a tough fight. Down 100-55, DePauw roared back. Frost made a numerical progression reply and named the Kellogg-Briand pact of 1928. Braude correctly tossed back “Volpone,” Stackman called a “Russian addiction in chess,” and Nordvall recognized a quote on taxes as belonging to Oliver Wendell Holmes to clinch a 235-180 DePauw win.
A 185-105 victory over Haverford in the fifth and final contest put the DePauw team in a class of only seven undefeated teams in the program’s history, joining Rutgers, Colgate, Hobart-William Smith, Rensselaer Polytechnic, Pomona and Bates.
“Maybe if we get two of three kids around the country to dig into the books and see the intrinsic joy of learning, the whole show will be worth it,” team member Jerry Frost said in celebration. “In some small way, we have given academics prestige, which I think is needed in our culture.”