Church Church Hittle + Antrim (CCHA Law) is pleased to welcome Aaron Hernandez. Aaron will assist CCHA’s Sports Law section with Title IX matters and NCAA compliance. Aaron will continue to serve in his role as Assistant Dean and Executive Director of the Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business Program with the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

Aaron has been at ASU since 2019 and was named Assistant Dean and Executive Director in the summer of 2023. As the Executive Director, Aaron supervises the Sports Law and Business (SLB) Program and ensures its continued success. Prior to joining Arizona State, Aaron was an Associate Director of Football on the enforcement staff at the NCAA, where he specialized in stakeholder engagement in Division I (FBS). He also served as the primary liaison to the Big 12 Conference, American Athletic Conference, Under Armour, and the College Football Playoff for all football-related matters. He conducted numerous investigations of institutions that may have violated NCAA rules and focused on matters involving Division I college football while at the NCAA. Aaron is also a 2013 graduate from Marquette University Law School, in Milwaukee, WI. He is licensed as an attorney only in Wisconsin.

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“Aaron’s experience in college sports and on a college campus is invaluable to our Collegiate Sports Law and Higher Ed practice groups,” said Collegiate Sports Law practice group chair Kelleigh Fagan. “More importantly, he's a great person, and we're excited for how he will support the continued growth of both of these practices.”

In light of his outstanding performance, renowned coaches across the country have expressed their admiration for Hernandez's dedication and skillset. Here’s what they are saying:

“Aaron Hernandez is one of the people I count on in my professional and personal pursuits. First, in his work at the NCAA and then with guidance when needed after, Aaron is intelligent, informative, and has built great relationships all across the country. I have always believed that having knowledgeable people I can trust is the best way to build an organization and I am grateful to count Aaron amongst those people I count on.” -Matt Rhule, Head Football Coach, the University of Nebraska.

“I have known Aaron Hernandez for a number of years while he worked for the Enforcement Department of the NCAA. He was responsible for supervising our school on rules and guidelines of the NCAA. He did an excellent job in this position and was an asset to our organization. I found him to be very motivated and dependable. He has the ability to take good advice and the ability to accept constructive criticism. A very hard worker who would add value to any organization.” -Charlie Strong, Football Analyst, University of Alabama.

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“Aaron Hernandez is one of the finest attorneys, professors, and collegiate athletic administrators I have been associated with. He is whip-smart and his labor produces results at an elite level. I have witnessed firsthand his dedication to excellence in many organizational leadership capacities and know him to be an extremely well-rounded, passionate, and committed executive.” -Charlie Jackson, Assistant Head Coach, United States Air Force Academy.

“I've known Aaron Hernandez since 2015. He is the consummate professional. From his days at the NCAA to his role at Arizona State, he always works towards resolutions that are comprehensively reasoned, fair, and timely.” -Lincoln Riley, Head Football Coach, University of Southern California.

“I have been associated with Aaron for 12 years. I have always found Aaron to be extremely motivated, while achieving the goals set out before him. He is enthusiastic, responsible, and a hard worker. He makes a unique and meaningful contribution to the lives of his peers. Aaron is a true leader.” -Joey McGuire, Head Football Coach, Texas Tech University.

“I met Aaron Hernandez early in my head coaching career when he was still working for the NCAA. It was very evident early on that not only was he always the smartest person in the room, but he also had an incredible ability to relate and empathize with our coaches and players on some of the controversial college athletics topics of that time. He was always passionate about finding the most fair answers for all parties involved, not just the easiest.” -Kliff Kingsbury, Senior Offensive Analyst, University of Southern California.

About Church Church Hittle + Antrim

Founded in 1880, CCHA Law is the oldest law firm in Hamilton County, Indiana. As a full-service law firm, CCHA Law provides a myriad of legal services to clients across a wide variety of practice areas including: complex litigation, personal injury, governmental entity and municipal law, education, business formation and representation, divorce and family law, estate planning and administration, real estate law, criminal law, labor and employment law, mediation services and appellate litigation. CCHA Law serves clients across the state with offices in Noblesville, Fishers, Fort Wayne, Tipton, Crown Point, Westfield, and Zionsville.

Learn more about CCHA at www.cchalaw.com and in this video.