This Roanoke College professor is making a triumphant return to one of the most coveted spots in the world of trivia and quiz shows.
Who is chemistry professor — and Roanoke College Quiz Bowl coach — Gary Hollis?
Professor Hollis was invited back to compete on “Jeopardy!” in a show that will air Friday, Dec. 8. This marks a return appearance for him on the beloved national game show. In 2021, he was picked for the program’s first-ever Jeopardy! Professors Tournament.
In that event, he prevailed in his initial matchup against professors from Vanderbilt University and Pennsylvania State University to advance to the tournament’s semifinals. In celebratory watch parties that brought together the entire campus community, his peers and students cheered him on and got to ask Hollis questions about his prime-time experience.
“The hardest part about not winning is not being able to play Jeopardy! anymore,” Hollis lamented at the time after his 2021 run ended in the themed event’s semifinals.
Little did he know that he would get another call from the program earlier this year. This time, he’s part of a slate of tough competitors invited back for a Champions Wildcard Tournament. Each contestant is a prior episode winner vying for another shot at glory.
