GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – St. Norbert College philosophy professor and nine-time “Jeopardy!” winner Ben Chan has secured a spot in the finals of the Tournament of Champions.
Chan took first place in Thursday night’s semifinals match, accumulating $9,599 in total winnings and moving on to the finals. Those matches begin Tuesday on FOX 11.
“Getting to the finals was my biggest goal because when you get to the finals, you’re guaranteed at least three more games.”
He won an additional $29,800 in Tuesday’s quarterfinals contest. “It really was important to represent Green Bay well,” Chan said in an interview Tuesday. “It was amazing how much more Green Bay noticed than even my wildest dreams.”
Chan earned local celebrity status when he won more than $250,000 during his nearly double-digit win streak last spring. He threw out the first pitch at a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers baseball game and is set to do the same thing at the April 27 Milwaukee Brewers game.
The state Assembly even honored his “Jeopardy!” success last month with a joint resolution adopted unanimously. Chan has been praised for his dedication to giving back to his community, using his “Jeopardy!” winnings to support local organizations focused on mental health, addiction counseling and public park initiatives.
Chan is one of 27 contestants competing in the Tournament of Champions to win the $250,000 grand prize and an invitation to compete in the primetime version of “Jeopardy!” on ABC. The best-of-seven finals start March 12.
“Jeopardy!” airs at 6 p.m. weeknights on FOX 11.
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