Chan’s ‘Jeopardy!’ Journey Ends with Second-Place Finish

Ben Chan (Philosophy), dubbed the “pride of Green Bay” by host Ken Jennings, concluded his exhilarating two-week run in the “Jeopardy!” Tournament of Champions with a second-place finish on Tuesday, March 19. Chan fell just short of the title, losing to Yogesh Raut, a psychologist from Vancouver, Wash.

Throughout the tournament, the St. Norbert College assistant philosophy professor captivated audiences with his knowledge and humble demeanor. His journey began with his initial appearance on “Jeopardy!” in April 2023, when he secured nine consecutive victories and amassed a total of $252,600 in winnings, earning him a spot among the show’s top performers.

During the Tournament of Champions, Chan continued to impress, showcasing his trivia prowess and earning praise from fans nationwide. His run was marked by memorable moments, including enthusiastic shoutouts to Green Bay and beloved local attractions like Bay Beach’s Zippin Pippin roller coaster.

Chan has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent his community on a national stage. Speaking on WLUK-TV’s “Good Day Wisconsin” following the airing of the tournament, Chan emphasized the importance of celebrating the support he received from those at St. Norbert College, in Green Bay and beyond.

“What ‘Jeopardy!’ has put me in touch with is gratitude,” Chan told WLUK. “What I hope I showed in my interviews and how I played was to try to celebrate all the things that I'm grateful for in living here, because I have an extremely happy, lucky life, and I just wanted to shout out all the things that Green Bay, Wis., my family and St. Norbert have given to me.”

Chan’s journey on “Jeopardy!” not only showcased his intellectual prowess but also his commitment to giving back to his community. He says he plans to use his winnings to support local organizations focused on mental health, addiction counseling and public park initiatives.

Photo courtesy of Jeopardy Productions Inc.

April 30, 2024