Aaron G. Locks
Aaron Locks (born on July 24, 1964) is the CEO of the National Academy of Athletics. Aaron Locks has coached youth sports and is known for his leadership style, motivational training, and trademarked Talk.Teach.Play.® teaching method.
He has worked with coaches like Coach John Wooden, Pat Riley, Don Nelson, George Karl, Alvin Attles, Dusty Baker, etc., which has provided him with a foundation for teaching sports fundamentals in a positive, structured way and encouraging atmosphere.
== Early life and education Aaron was raised by his mother, Renee Locks. His father, Gil Locks, was a spiritual leader in the 1960s and 1970s from Baja to New York City. Aaron has five siblings Jeanette, Naomi, Paula, and younger brother Ethan. In 1982, he graduated from Tamalpais High School, as a three-sport athlete. Then, he attended Southern Oregon University, where Aaron was a redshirt basketball player in the 1983 season. After meeting Coach John Wooden, he left college to work as a driver and demonstrator at Coach Wooden's camps, clinics, and The Wooden Experience.
In 1991, Aaron graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.
Career
Professional Career Aaron started his career in 1984. He ran basketball camps, with players and coaches, such as John Wooden, Pat Riley, Michael Cooper, Magic Johnson, Bernie Bickerstaff, and Mike Dunleavy. In 1986, Aaron moved back to the Bay Area to work with George Karl, Dusty Baker, and Don Nelson. The same year, he started refereeing high school basketball and became the Director of the Superstar Invitational Basketball Camps, till 1989. From 1987-1988, Aaron coached basketball at Tamalpais High School and the College of Marin. From 1986-1989 he managed Don Nelson Fantasy Basketball Camp and worked with Vida Blue and Orlando Cepeda.
In 1989 Aaron went to Sonoma State University, where he was the host of Sonoma Sports live TV talk show for two years. He helped expand the intramural departments to become the recreational sports department while pursuing his degree. In 1990, he founded the National Basketball Camp Association. In 1991, Aaron founded the University of Sports in Sonoma County, CA, where he had over 200,000 kids attending sports camps in over 20 Northern CA cities, till 2000.
In 1994, he took over as owner and ran the organization through 2004. From 2002-03 he refereed CIF State finals at Arco Arena in Sacramento. In 2002(-10) he officiated in NCAA College Basketball. Northwest, Independent League, NAIA, Junior College.
In 2001 Aaron expanded the University of Sports to include a 51,000 indoor sports facility, the first of it's kind.
In 2009, he became the Athletic Director for the St. Rose Catholic Youth Basketball Organization.
From 2009-2015, Observer for the West Coast Conference (WCC) Men's Basketball
From 2012-2014, he portrayed the umpire in the SF Giants TV commercials
In 2012, he founded the National Academy of Athletics to provide youth sports to 3 cities. The company now manages youth sports camps in over 100 cities in just six years.
Personal Life
Aaron married in 1996 and has two children, Mason (2001) and Mia (2004).
Books
Aaron is the author of the following books:
- Coach's Best Friend – Basketball (2012)
- Coach's Best Friend – Football (2012)
- Coach's Best Friend – Lacrosse (2012)
- Coach's Best Friend – Baseball / Softball (2012)
- Coach's Best Friend – Soccer (2015)
- Coach's Best Friend – Volleyball (2015)
- Sunrise to Sunset: Making Each Day Count (2020)
Awards and Recognition
- 2004 – Spirit of Sonoma County In recognition of the personal contributions and leadership qualities that inspire others.
- 2006 – Businessman of The Year- National Congressional Committee Business Advisory Council
- 2019 – Best of Business, Santa Rosa- National Academy of Athletics, Small Business Community Association
