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Aaron Hernandez's picture
Aaron Hernandez's picture

Aaron Hernandez

Associate Professor of Practice and Director of the National Sports Law Institute
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Biography

In Spring 2026, Marquette University Law school named Aaron Hernandez (L'13) the Director of the National Sports Law Institute. You can read more about his appointment here: https://today.marquette.edu/2026/03/marquette-law-school-adds-aaron-hernandez-to-national-sports-law-institute-leadership/. 

Aaron returns to Marquette after a decade in the sports industry, most recently serving as the Executive Director and Assistant Dean of the Allan "Bud" Selig Sports Law and Business Program (SLB) at Arizona State University. As Executive Director, Aaron was responsible for supervising the SLB Program and ensuring its continued success, overseeing: strategic growth, operational efficiency, admissions, curriculum development, academic and career advising, recruiting, donor and alumni relations, stakeholder relations, and student engagement. Aaron also taught multiple courses at the law school.

Before joining Arizona State, Aaron was the Associate Director of Football at the NCAA. While at the NCAA, Aaron specialized in stakeholder engagement in Division I (FBS). Aaron worked closely with high-profile college football coaches, athletic directors, sports administrators, compliance officers, and many other stakeholders to identify major threats to the collegiate model.  

Aaron is a member of the Collegiate Sports Law Practice at Church, Church, Hittle + Antrim where he provides expertise and legal counsel related to a wide array of clients in college athletics. You can read more about his work at CCH+A here: https://www.cchalaw.com/our-news/ccha-law-welcomes-aaron-hernandez.

Additionally, Aaron has served as a board member of the Sports Lawyers Association since 2024 and Uplifting Athletes since 2023, and the National Sports Law Institute since 2020. Aaron has also won a number of awards during his career, including:

  • 2019 Charles W. Mentkowski Sports Law Alumnus of the Year
  • 2021 Sports Law and Business Faculty of the Year
  • 2025 Phoenix Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree
  • 2026 Sports Law and Business Faculty of the Year   

A native of El Paso, TX, Aaron is a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Chipotle, and traveling the world.

B.BA, University of Notre Dame

J.D., Marquette University Law School