‘You should call’

Kaitlin “Bax” Baxendale ’21 never made it to the Flyers in Hollywood trip. A media production major, she had looked forward to that beloved spring break networking program since arriving at the University of Dayton. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic canceled her senior-year trip, it was replaced with a series of Zoom Q&A panels featuring alumni in the entertainment industry.

That’s where she met John Quinn ’96.

“I followed up with each of the alumni who were on the panel because they all had such different careers, and I wanted to learn about each of them,” Baxendale said. “But John and I definitely connected the most because we both grew up in the Midwest [with] a shared interest in theater.”

Emmy-nominated executive producer of shows like Let’s Make a Deal, The Price is Right and Password, Quinn said, “I would say to any student, ‘If you are thinking of coming out to Los Angeles, please give me a call.’ There is something special about a Dayton graduate — strong work ethic and just good people.”

A week before graduation, he gave Baxendale an offer: Come to Los Angeles and join the Let's Make a Deal crew. 

"It was completely surreal," she said. "I'd been told you have to physically be in L.A. to have a chance at getting called for a job, so for him to offer one to me right before graduating was insane, in the best way.”

Baxendale celebrated with her roommates at Tim’s that night. By the end of the summer, she was working on the nationally televised game show.

Quinn's journey to L.A. wasn't so linear. As a student, he studied psychology and theater.

“I just knew I liked theater,” he said. “I didn’t know what I would do, but I ended up getting my master's in theater directing, and I moved to Hollywood thinking I would do scripted television or films.”

His first job in L.A. was on a dating show — but game shows ultimately proved a better fit. 

“You’re dealing with contestants on the best days of their lives,” he said. “[They’re just thrilled] to be there, and that makes for a fun work environment. It’s a lot like play in that you are working with people and their performances; I guess I ended up switching from actors to game show contestants.”

Baxendale found her niche in the "Zonks" department of the show — responsible for the strange, pun-laden booby prizes that are Let's Make a Deal hallmarks. "She helps book them and makes sure they’re all created and lined up,” Quinn said. "Her personality is suited for that — silly, fun and creative. She’s an important part of our team.”

Her energy caught on quickly. “Everybody loved her,” Quinn said.

“The entire staff fought over which department would get her. She’s one of those people who everyone likes so much, they wanted her on their team." 

Since then, Baxendale has worked with Quinn on multiple shows, including Password and Press Your Luck, where their professional relationship evolved into a genuine friendship. 

"We even play pickleball together outside of work," she said. "There are some courts next door to our stage, and a few dozen of us, including John, play after work. When he gets excited about something, he goes all-in and makes sure to include everyone." 

When Baxendale started organizing a pickleball tournament, Quinn took it a step further: he rented indoor courts and bought matching T-shirts for the entire crew. "She's in charge of the tournaments now," Quinn added. "Of course she is. Because she's Bax." 

When the opportunity arose to recommend someone for a position on Let's Make a Deal, she offered the role to fellow Flyer Alex McClary ’22, who promptly joined the production family. 

"When I told John I wanted to bring in another UD alum, he was ecstatic,” she said. “Alex has been such an asset to the show, so I know I made the right call.”

"I work with Flyers whenever I can," Quinn said. “When someone shows up out here from UD, it’s like, ‘What’s up? We’re friends.’ That doesn’t happen with every school.”

Baxendale agreed. "One thing I know about people who went to Dayton is that they love the fact that they went to Dayton,” she said. “My biggest piece of advice is to have conversations with alumni without the explicit intention of getting a job. ... Just show them how great you are — and opportunities will come from that.”

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A version of this article appears in print in the Autumn 2025 University of Dayton Magazine, Page 1. EXPLORE THE ISSUE — MORE ONLINE