Dennis ArpAs students working for the Chapman Sports Broadcast Network find their way to professional success, they can also find inspiration in the journey of Dodge College alumnus Stephen Nelson ’10, who this season stepped into the role of play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In addition to his experience as an MLB Network host and broadcaster, Nelson counts among his credits roles as sports director, producer and host on Chapman Radio as well as a public address announcer for Chapman Athletics.
Now as a Major League Baseball play-by-play broadcaster, Nelson joins Dodge and Chapman Radio alumnus Jeff Levering ’05, who is in his eighth season announcing Milwaukee Brewers games.
Working alongside Dodgers broadcasters Joe Davis, Orel Hershiser, Nomar Garciaparra and others on the SportsNet LA team, Nelson understands the history that surrounds him in a booth that previously was home to legendary announcer Vin Scully.
“It’s impossible to convey the emotions that come with this opportunity,” Nelson said in a news release announcing his new role. “This isn’t simply coming home. …This is the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s the best organization in baseball for so many reasons.”
Nelson is also making history of his own as the only Asian American play-by-play announcer in MLB. Recently he acknowledged announcing colleagues of color Dave Sims (Seattle Mariners) and Robert Ford ( Houston Astros) before adding, “Ultimately my goal in this industry is to further pave the way for people that look like us to find futures in sports.”
