User:Aaron G. Locks/sandbox

Aaron G. Locks (born on July 24, 1964) grew up in Mill Valley, CA. He is a company founder and CEO of the National Academy of Athletics. Aaron Locks has spent his entire adult life working in youth sports and is widely known for his leadership style, motivational training, and trademarked Talk.Teach.Play.® teaching method.

His work with such coaching legends as Coach John Wooden, Pat Riley, Don Nelson, George Karl, Alvin Attles, Dusty Baker, and more provided him with a foundation for teaching sports fundamentals in a positive, structured way and encouraging atmosphere.

Early Years and Personal Life
Aaron was raised by his mother, Renee Locks, who is known for combining watercolor, calligraphy, and meaningful messages.

His father, Gil Locks, was a spiritual leader in the 1960s and 1970s from Baja to New York City.

Aaron has four siblings Jeanette, Naomi, Paula and Ethan.

As a graduate three-sport athlete from Tamalpais High School (1982), he attended Southern Oregon University (1982-1983), where Aaron was a redshirt basketball player in the 1983 season.

After meeting Coach John Wooden, he left college to work as director and demonstrator at Coach Wooden's camps, clinics, and The Wooden Experience. (Sports World, the company that introduced Aaron to John Wooden[LM1] ).

Aaron married in 1996 and has two children, Mason (2001) and Mia (2004).

Professional Career

 * 1984 Aaron ran basketball camps with legendary players and coaches: John Wooden, Pat Riley, Michael Cooper, Magic Johnson, Bernie Bickerstaff, and Mike Dunleavy.


 * 1986 Aaron moved back to the Bay Area to work with George Karl, Dusty Baker, and Don Nelson.
 * 1986 Director of the Superstar Invitational Basketball Camps (1986-1989). Aaron took over as owner in 1994 and ran the organization through 2004.


 * 1986 Aaron started refereeing high school basketball


 * 1987-1988 Aaron coached basketball at Tamalpais High School and College of Marin


 * 1986-1989 Managed Don Nelson Fantasy Basketball Camp


 * 1986-1989 Worked with Vida Blue, Orlando Cepeda (SF Giants legends)


 * 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.


 * 1990 Founding member of the National Basketball Camp Association


 * 1991 Aaron graduated from college from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.


 * 1991 Aaron founded the University of Sports in Sonoma County, CA.


 * 1991-2000 He had over 200,000 kids attending sports camps in over 20 Northern CA cities.


 * 2000 - 2006 Aaron operated the Rick Barry Basketball Fantasy Camp.


 * 2001 Opened up the 50k sq. ft. athletic club and spa in Rohnert Park CA called University of Sports where he ran it for ten years.


 * 2002-2003 Aaron refereed CIF State finals at Arco Arena in Sacramento


 * 2002-2010 Aaron officiated in NCAA College Basketball. Northwest, Independent league, NAIA, Junior College


 * 2009-Present Athletic Director for the St. Rose Catholic Youth Basketball Organization.


 * 2009-2015 Observer for the West Coast Conference (WCC) Men's Basketball


 * 2011 Founded California Basketball Officiating Academy


 * 2012-2014 Aaron portrayed the umpire in the SF Giants TV commercials


 * 2012 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' time.

Author/ Presenter 2010 - Present
2010 Tigers on Three

2011-2020 Coaches best friend book series: Basketball 2012, (revision 2019), Soccer 2014, Baseball/ Softball 2014, (revision 2019), Volleyball 2015, Football 2018, Lacrosse 2020.

2014 High school Officials Basketball Pregame (can be found on coachtube (dot) com

2020 Sunrise to Sunsets- Making Each Day Count

2017 Fall Forum, 2020 Cares Program, California Parks and Recreation Society Presenter

2017 & 2018 Presenter at Berkshire Hathaway HS Drysdale Properties

Aaron has presented over 300 youth sports coaching clinics for parents, volunteer coaches, and children.

Video Production
2014 World-Class Coaching Video Series – In partnership with Mental Toughness Trainer

2015 The Outstanding Sports Parent Video Series (coachtube (dot) com

2020 (Spring) The National Academy of Athletics developed industry-leading On-Demand youth sports video series.

Awards
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