A student at the University of Alabama who is an avid fan of "Wheel of Fortune" has won big on the syndicated game show.

On Friday night, Bethany Patterson, a sophomore who is also a member of the Million Dollar Band, won "Wheel" in the final moments of the show’s "College Week Spring Break," where she competed against college students from across the country. Patterson, who is studying marketing, won $62,200 in cash and prizes, including a Volkswagen Golf GTI.

The episode was filmed last week.

"It obviously went way better than I ever could have hoped for or expected," Patterson told The Tuscaloosa News about her win.

Patterson said that outside of "tithes and taxes," she was not sure what she would do with her winnings, but did give a hint about what she would be doing with her new car.

"I’m excited to be able to take it for a test drive," she said.

Patterson’s father, Joel, was in the studio audience as his daughter won.

"For her to be able to get on it was a cool thing and to be able to see these things was cool as well," he said.

Joel Patterson said he has encouraged Bethany Patterson to open a retirement account in which to invest her winnings.

"The ability to put that away at her age would be great," he said.

"Wheel of Fortune" has been on the air since 1975 and remains one of the longest-running syndicated game show in the country.

Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204.