Pitt student wins big during 'Wheel of Fortune' College Week

University of Pittsburgh sophomore Noah Stockwell got the idea of competing on the popular TV game show “Wheel of Fortune” sort of as a joke. He wound up having the last laugh after winning a massive prize on an episode that aired on Nov. 24.

“I figured it would be so ridiculous and a great fun fact if I got on, so there really was nothing to lose,” said Stockwell. “When I first realized how much money I won, I was in absolute shock.”

Stockwell, a nursing major, won $69,440 in cash, as well as a trip to Hawaii and a $1,000 Tower Records gift card. He really boosted his winnings in the bonus round, where he solved his puzzle on the first try for an extra $45,000.

He said he still isn’t sure how to spend his winnings, but is considering using them to pay off student loans, buying a new car and some other options.

“It’s a lot to think about, but I am so fortunate to be in a position where I can decide what my next move is,” he said.

Stockwell grew up in New Jersey on a farm, and he said his family was shocked when he won. His grandmother is the biggest “Wheel of Fortune” fan, and the rest of the family kept his win a secret from her until the episode aired on Thanksgiving Day.

“I did watch the show with my family often, and my grandmother would always say how she could see me up there on the stage,” Stockwell said. “It was so great to actually make that dream a reality for her.”

Stockwell competed during College Week and is seen during the episode sporting a Pitt sweatshirt. He said it was surreal to represent Pitt and that being around other college students made him feel more comfortable.

He said once he started spinning, he felt proud to be a Pitt student, and gained confidence thanks to his education.

And it showed. Stockwell dominated the game, solving four puzzles and easily outpaced his competitors, a senior from the University of Arkansas Little Rock and a junior from Florida A&M.

Stockwell said the most memorable experience competing on “Wheel of Fortune” was realizing he knew the answer to the final puzzle and he knew he would win.

“That feeling that rushed over me at the time was so wholesome and pure,” he said.