Seaver College Alumnus Jack McGrath ('19) Wins His Fourth Los Angeles Area Emmy for Backstage: Dodgers

The crack of a baseball bat, a series-winning home run, and the crowd’s erupting roar—these are glimpses of game-day highlights for the Los Angeles Dodgers. But what happens when the stadium lights dim and players return to everyday life? 

Pepperdine alumnus Jack McGrath brings those behind-the-scenes moments to the television screen as documentarian of Spectrum Sportsnet LA’s series Backstage: Dodgers, for which he recently won his fourth Los Angeles Area Emmy.

McGrath delivers his acceptance speech for his fourth Emmy win

 

“I am incredibly grateful and honored to have received this Emmy,” says McGrath. “Throughout my career, people have been there to advise me with patience and generosity, and receiving this award was an opportunity to thank those in my life for their support.” 

Backstage: Dodgers is a full-season series focused on capturing team members’ individual personalities as episodes reveal their day-off activities, team-building moments, and global travels. In his multifaceted role, McGrath organizes and conducts interviews with Dodgers team members, engineers lighting and audio, and operates cameras on game days to capture episode footage. 

Often McGrath directs episodes’ narrative vision, curating ideas such as players joining Shohei Ohtani in Japan to experience aspects of Japanese lifestyle, the Kershaw family celebration of pitcher Clayton Kershaw’s 3,000-strikeout career milestone, team members dining at Korean barbeque restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles, and the unveiling of Dodgers Dreamfields—a local outreach program in which players help to renovate baseball and softball fields for families in Los Angeles neighborhoods. 

“Athletes are more accessible than they’ve ever been,” says McGrath. “What really matters to fans in this digital age is getting to see personal, heartening stories of their favorite players. While professional athletes may have unique jobs, they are relatable in the sense that many have the same passions, hobbies, and interests as their audience.”

McGrath (left) filming Mookie Betts (right) at a Dodgers event

A multimedia production major with a concentration in sports broadcasting at Pepperdine, McGrath studied under Ned Colletti, Pepperdine’s executive in residence in sport administration. Regarded as an expert in sports analytics, Colletti’s more than 50 years in professional sports include service as general manager of the Dodgers from 2006 to 2014. 

Recognizing McGrath’s talent and dedication to sports broadcasting, Colletti extended to McGrath the opportunity to shadow him while he worked for Spectrum Sportsnet LA. There, McGrath was drawn to the breadth of the storytelling the profession offers, and he demonstrated the versatility and competence required for a sports media production career. 

“Jack’s success is no surprise, and I am sure it is only one of many recognitions he will earn throughout his career,” says Colletti. “He's very hard working and talented, and that combination of traits is one of the best for this field.”

McGrath’s role at Spectrum Sportsnet LA has given him the opportunity to travel with the Dodgers during their regular baseball season, embarking on global trips for international games in Japan and Korea. Additionally, McGrath serves as documentarian for the Los Angeles Lakers, where he fulfills the same role for their television broadcast. Following his Emmy win, McGrath will remain an essential contributor to documenting the Los Angeles sports scene, guided by his values of service leadership, generosity, and hard work. 

“The culture at Pepperdine is anchored in service, which mirrors the Dodgers’ devotion to the Los Angeles community,” says McGrath. “During my time at Pepperdine, to now working alongside the Dodgers organization at Spectrum Sportsnet LA, I am inspired by the words ‘Freely ye received, freely give’.”