Posted
November 21, 2024
MEN OF HOPE • ALUMNI INTERVIEW
Ben Hatta ’94, an Emmy-nominated producer with decades of experience in non-scripted television and documentaries, has been at the helm of iconic shows like The Amazing Race, The Bachelor, Hell’s Kitchen, and Food Network Star. Now, Hatta has turned his talents back to his roots with Clash of Dynasties, a four-part docuseries capturing the legendary wrestling rivalry between St. Edward and Walsh Jesuit in the 1990s.
Ben Hatta ’94, a non-scripted television and documentary producer and former NCAA athlete, comes from a family with an extraordinary legacy in sports. He is the son of Hall of Fame Olympic coach and fine artist Tadaaki Hatta, and the grandson of Ichiro Hatta, an Olympic athlete and coach who helped introduce judo to the United States and pioneered the sport of wrestling in Japan in the 1930s. Growing up in Oberlin, Hatta was inspired by his older brother Robert’s path to St. Edward. Robert enrolled to wrestle under the legendary coach Howard Ferguson and, though Coach Ferguson passed away before Robert could wrestle for him, he qualified for the state wrestling tournament in 1993. One year later, Ben added to the family’s remarkable legacy by capturing a state championship.
“Going to St. Ed’s was one of the best decisions I ever made,” Hatta said. “The school’s culture is all about trying to be the best and surrounding yourself with champions—athletically, academically, and spiritually—you need all of these to be happy.”
After graduation, Ben studied art history at the University of Pennsylvania, where he continued to wrestle. Reminiscing about his time at Penn, Hatta shares: “I had to work hard because I took advanced classes, but I was used to taking on challenges—at St. Ed’s, that’s just what you do.”
After college, Hatta moved to Los Angeles, diving headfirst into the entertainment industry. Over the past 20 years, he has built an impressive career, working on some of the biggest names in non-scripted television and documentaries, including the Emmy-winning The Amazing Race, The Bachelor, Hell’s Kitchen, Food Network Star, and Gene Simmons Family Jewels. He also left his mark on wrestling documentaries like Team Foxcatcher and Angle.
But Hatta's journey didn’t begin with a clear path. When he first arrived on the West Coast, he didn’t yet have a job lined up—he just knew he wanted to love what he did. He chose L.A. because of his passion for the visual arts, knowing it was the perfect place to explore his creative interests.
“Art has always been a big part of my life, starting with my dad, who is an artist,” Hatta shared. “The screen has become my canvas! I love every aspect of the creative process, from the initial idea to the finished product, and even hearing people talk about it afterward.”
His love for storytelling began early, attending local theater camps, experimenting with a video camera, performing skits, and immersing himself in MTV. While the transition to L.A. wasn’t easy—he landed a job as an assistant at the Creative Artists Agency. This role, followed by a position at ABC, eventually led him to a key connection that propelled him into producing The Bachelor.
Four years ago, Hatta came across a podcast discussing the fierce 1990s wrestling rivalry between St. Edward and Walsh Jesuit. St. Edward wrestling is legendary, with 46 state championships and 11 national titles. But in the 1990s, Walsh Jesuit and St. Edward were intense rivals, each vying for the state title—and Hatta had been part of this heightened competition during his time at St. Edward.
As Hatta delved deeper into the St. Edward-Walsh Jesuit rivalry, he uncovered stories that went beyond the wrestling mats, including personal losses within the communities. It wasn’t just Coach Howard Ferguson’s passing that impacted the teams—there were also tragic deaths of students, alumni, parents, and even a referee. Hatta began exploring the powerful theme of how teenagers cope with loss both on and off the mat.
The ’90s was a transitional decade. Pop culture, politics, sports—teenagers were dealing with changes and battling on the mats, and then you throw these human losses on top of it. How do kids process all this?
That question sparked his newest project, Clash of Dynasties, which explores the emotional and transformative journey of these young athletes, shedding light on the personal challenges and triumphs that shaped the legendary rivalry between the Eagles and Warriors.
A true St. Edward team effort, this four-part docuseries features interviews with coaches and alumni, with production staff including Edsmen like Andre Holland ’19, Isaac Cudnik ’22, and Brendan O’Malley ’23. All three honed their skills through St. Edward's dedicated Film Department, which now offers six different courses.
The Edsmen who joined us for Clash were thrown into the weeds and taught on the fly through a full production experience with 12-hour days. They showed passion in their work and learned a lot, which they can now take with them wherever they go. I find it rewarding to work with young people who are interested in building a career in film or media.
When asked what advice he would give to those interested in the entertainment business, Hatta shared, “Any career in the arts is going to be a struggle, but you can always find a way to make money doing what you love! Fill your mind—study what others do by reading, watching movies, going to plays, and using social media. The industry offers countless roles that are all vital pieces of the production puzzle—artists, carpenters, electricians, attorneys, and more. Watch the credits to discover possibilities, and reach out to professionals to learn what’s possible.”
He added, “If you like something enough, stick with it; if not, don’t ever be afraid to pivot!”
The first two episodes of Clash of Dynasties will premiere Friday, November 22 at the Akron Civic Theatre; with the second two premiering Sunday, November 24 at the Cleveland House of Blues. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
The docuseries will also be screened at the 2024 IRONMAN Tournament in December, one of the most prestigious and competitive wrestling tournaments in the country. Beginning December 12, fans can purchase or rent the series from home.