For Derek North ’08, life has always been about reading the moment—and rising to meet it. Whether he was on the football field, behind the camera in a Media Arts class, or solving crimes as a detective in Illinois, he has trusted his instincts and followed his passion.

Now, the Butler alumnus is returning to the national spotlight as a contestant on FOX’s new reality competition The Snake, airing Tuesday evenings this summer and available for next-day streaming on Hulu.

“I had some unfinished business,” North said. “Leaving California years ago to be closer to my family was the right decision, but I always carried that fire within me. At the beginning of this year, I kept thinking about whether there might still be a path forward toward that dream. Then, unexpectedly, I received a message from a casting producer. I truly felt as though I had manifested it.”

North is one of 15 contestants on The Snake, a psychological strategy game in which individuals in persuasion-based professions must navigate challenges and social dynamics to remain in the competition. Rather than voting out other players, contestants participate in a “saving ceremony,” in which they must select one another to stay. The person left unchosen is eliminated.

It is a high-stakes format that aligns well with North’s professional background. As a detective in suburban Chicago, he brings a unique mix of mental discipline, observation, and emotional intelligence.

“What separates me from many people is that I have a good read on someone almost instantly,” he said in a promotional video. “Whether in my career or in my daily life, I am constantly gathering information.”

North credits his time at Butler University for building that foundation. He began as an exploratory major before finding his place in video production. Encouraged by faculty in the Theatre department, he added a Theatre minor to broaden his skill set and step beyond his comfort zone. “They allowed me to grow at my own pace,” he said. “They told me to take the leap. That guidance helped me more than I can explain.”

In reflecting on the impact of his Butler experience, North added, “Butler gave me the opportunity to try a lot of different things, which helped me figure out what I was passionate about. It gave me a foundation that I could return to later in life—even if the path did not go the way I originally thought it would.”

A four-year member of the Butler football team, North still recalls his first campus visit and how the coaching staff—especially Coach Joe Cheshire, with whom he remains in contact—made an immediate impact.

After graduating, North worked with the Helen Wells Agency and pursued acting roles in Chicago before relocating to Los Angeles. He landed roles in independent films and commercials but, like many in the industry, experienced both promising moments and disappointments. When his father suffered a spinal stroke, North returned home to support his family. He eventually changed careers, becoming a police officer and later a detective. Today, he lives in Naperville with his wife and their one-year-old daughter.

“I love being a detective. I love solving cases and supporting the community,” North said. “But being part of The Snake was an incredible, full-circle moment. It reminded me that if something does not work out during one chapter of your life, that does not mean it will never happen. Sometimes, you simply have to trust the process.”

Although he cannot reveal the outcome of the season, he promised that the episodes ahead will be engaging and full of surprises. “I am highly competitive, and I came into this experience determined to win,” he said.

Looking ahead, North remains open to new opportunities. “This experience showed me that pursuing your dreams and building a meaningful life are not mutually exclusive. I am proud to be doing both.”