Atmospheric Science Student to Appear in TV Game Show Champions Tournament
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| Colorado State student Russ Schumacher stands with "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek on the game show's stage. Schumacher was a four-day champion in 2003 and returned to compete in the Tournament of Champions this year. |
Russ Schumacher, an atmospheric science graduate student, will appear on the "Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions" television game show airing on September 23 at 3:30 p.m. on Denver's KMGH Channel 7.
The two-week tournament features the top 15 winners from the past year and runs from Sept. 20 to Oct. 1. Contestants will play for a first place prize of $250,000 and are guaranteed to go home with at least $5,000.
Schumacher competed in five "Jeopardy!" shows that aired in mid-October in 2003 and received nearly $65,000 in winnings.
"I achieved some financial freedom. I was able to pay off my car [and make] a down payment on a house. So that's very exciting to be able to do those sorts of things," said Schumacher.
Schumacher studied a wide range of topics in preparation for the show and hoped for questions about the weather, geography or sports.
Contestants competing in the Tournament of Champions include an actor, a bartender, a cab driver, a crime data specialist, college students and writers. In the quarter-finals game Schumacher will play against Tom Baker of Toshima-Ku, Tokyo, Japan, and Chris Miller of Louisville, Ky.
Visit the "Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions" website to see Schumacher talk about his experience as a contestant or read the Rocky Mountain Collegian's article on Schumacher's 2003 "Jeopardy!" appearances at http://www.collegian.com.