UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME UNDERGRAD WINS $100,000 GRAND PRIZE
(CULVER CITY, CA May 15, 2009) -- Patrick Tucker, a 22-year-old Political Science major at
University of Notre Dame, took first place in the 21st Jeopardy! College Championship taking
home $100,000 in cash winnings. Emerging victorious after a two-week competition by
outscoring 14 undergraduates from across the country, Tucker is the first-ever Fighting
Irish student to win the prestigious title.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to skip a week of class!,” laughed Tucker, who graduates
from Notre Dame this Sunday just two days after the tournament’s broadcast. “I was proud to
represent my college and I think I will remember winning this championship above anything
else.”
When asked about plans for his cash prize, Tucker replied, “I’m still not sure what I’ll do
with my money, however, before I went on Jeopardy! I made a list of places around the world
to visit. I might see how far my winnings can take me on a global trek.”
Originally from St. Louis, Mo., Tucker’s favorite pastimes include solving The New York
Times’ crossword puzzles and writing for his campus late-night talk show.
Eric Betts, a senior at Emory University, finished second in the competition, winning
$50,000. Third place winner Laura Myers, a senior at University of Missouri, pocketed
$29,900.
Jeopardy!, winner of 28 Emmy awards since its debut in 1984, was inducted into the Guinness
Book of World Records for the most awards won by a TV Game Show. The series is the #1-rated
quiz show in syndication with more than 10 million daily viewers. Jeopardy! is produced by
Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company. It is distributed
domestically and internationally by CBS Television Distribution, a unit of CBS Corp.
