Marquette Law School Adds Aaron Hernandez to National Sports Law Institute leadership
Aaron Hernandez, currently at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, will join the faculty at Marquette University Law School as an associate professor of practice and director of the National Sports Law Institute.
Marquette’s sports law program is led by Matt Mitten, professor of law, and Paul Anderson, associate professor of law and director of the Sports Law Program. A Marquette Law School alumnus, Hernandez will join the team this August.
In addition to teaching, Hernandez will have significant responsibility for the law school’s engagement with the sports law community and the broader sports industry through conferences, continuing legal education programs, and new initiatives.
“The National Sports Law Institute has been a great asset for Marquette Law School under the leadership of Professors Matt Mitten and Paul Anderson,” said Marquette Dean Joseph D. Kearney. “We welcome back Professor Hernandez as the NSLI approaches its 40th anniversary. He is a dynamic and innovative leader, and this expansion of Marquette’s sports law offerings will enrich our services for students and the broader community.”
Hernandez will conclude his work this summer as executive director of the Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business Program at Arizona State. He previously served as associate director of football at the NCAA, where he specialized in stakeholder engagement in Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. His work included collaborating with coaches, athletic directors, administrators, and compliance officers, as well as conducting investigations into potential NCAA rules violations.
Hernandez graduated from Marquette University Law School in 2013, earning a certificate in sports law from the National Sports Law Institute. He is a member of the Wisconsin bar. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and received Marquette’s Charles W. Mentkowski Sports Law Alumnus of the Year Award in 2019. He has also published in a number of law journals on legal issues in sports.
Founded in 1989, the National Sports Law Institute is part of Marquette University Law School. Its mission is to serve as a leading national educational and research institute focused on the legal, ethical, and business issues affecting amateur and professional sports. It provides educational opportunities for law students as well as current and future leaders in the sports industry.
Marquette Law School’s Sports Law Program offers one of the nation’s most comprehensive collections of sports law courses, along with student internships with sports organizations and opportunities to participate in the Marquette Sports Law Review and National Sports Law Moot Court team. The program is designed to provide students with both a theoretical and practical education in the governance and regulation of sports at the youth, high school, college, Olympic, international, and professional levels.
Hernandez noted: “I am, and always have been, a Marquette man. Marquette aims to make a difference in a world where too many people sit on the sidelines. That philosophy aligns with my personal values, including how sports shape our country.
“The gold standard for sports law in the United States is the National Sports Law Institute.
“Put simply, I am humbled and thrilled to accept this opportunity. Joining a winning organization with the chance to help lead it is a dream come true. Doing so at my alma mater, succeeding my mentor Matt Mitten, makes it even more meaningful. Paul Anderson will continue to lead the Sports Law Program, and together we will build on Marquette’s great tradition.
“I am grateful to Dean Joseph Kearney and his leadership team for their support throughout the recruitment process. Their endorsement means a great deal to me.
“I am also thankful to my family, friends, and mentors who supported me in making this decision.
“Finally, to my students: you have had a profound impact on my life and career. I will always be grateful for your trust and support, and I look forward to all we will accomplish together.”