Joel Sherman
Encyclopedia
Joel Sherman nicknamed "GI Joel", is a top American
Scrabble
expert and former world champion. He is chronicled in Stefan Fatsis
's book Word Freak, in Eric Chaikin's film Word Wars
, and in Scott Petersen's film Scrabylon. He is also mentioned in Collins Gem's reference book. He was born in The Bronx
, New York
, and is an alumnus of the Bronx High School of Science
.
His nickname is derived from a health problem, gastrointestinal reflux syndrome
, and a pun on the G.I. Joe
action figure.
Sherman's major Scrabble tournament victories include:
Since beginning his career in 1988, he has played at least 4,200 tournament games, winning about 64%, and earning at least $115,000 in prize money. He is director of North American SCRABBLE Players Association Club #56
, which meets on Thursday evenings in New York City
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Scrabble
Scrabble
Scrabble is a word game in which two to four players score points by forming words from individual lettered tiles on a game board marked with a 15-by-15 grid. The words are formed across and down in crossword fashion and must appear in a standard dictionary. Official reference works provide a list...
expert and former world champion. He is chronicled in Stefan Fatsis
Stefan Fatsis
Stefan Fatsis is an author and journalist. He regularly appears as a guest on National Public Radio's All Things Considered daily radio news program and as a panelist on Slate's sports podcast Hang Up and Listen. He is a former staff reporter for The Wall Street Journal.-Biography:Fatsis grew up...
's book Word Freak, in Eric Chaikin's film Word Wars
Word Wars
Word Wars is a 2004 documentary film directed by Eric Chaikin and Julian Petrillo about competitive Scrabble playing.Its full title is: Word Wars - Tiles and Tribulations on the Scrabble Circuit...
, and in Scott Petersen's film Scrabylon. He is also mentioned in Collins Gem's reference book. He was born in The Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and is an alumnus of the Bronx High School of Science
Bronx High School of Science
The Bronx High School of Science is a specialized New York City public high school often considered the premier science magnet school in the United States. Founded in 1938, it is now located in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx...
.
His nickname is derived from a health problem, gastrointestinal reflux syndrome
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease , gastro-oesophageal reflux disease , gastric reflux disease, or acid reflux disease is chronic symptoms or mucosal damage caused by stomach acid coming up from the stomach into the esophagus...
, and a pun on the G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe is a line of action figures produced by the toy company Hasbro. The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier , Action Sailor , Action Pilot , Action Marine and later on, the Action Nurse...
action figure.
Sherman's major Scrabble tournament victories include:
- 1997 World Scrabble ChampionshipWorld Scrabble Championship 1997The World Scrabble Championship 1997 was the fourth World Scrabble Championship. The winner was Joel Sherman of the United States.-Format:The World Scrabble Championship 1997 was held in the Stouffer Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C., and was the second to be held in the United States...
- Washington, D.C. - 1998 Brand's Crossword Game King's Cup
- 2002 National Scrabble Championship - San Diego, California
Since beginning his career in 1988, he has played at least 4,200 tournament games, winning about 64%, and earning at least $115,000 in prize money. He is director of North American SCRABBLE Players Association Club #56
North American SCRABBLE Players Association
The North American Scrabble Players Association is an organization founded in 2009 to coordinate competitive Scrabble tournaments and clubs in North America...
, which meets on Thursday evenings in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.