From NAofA Intern to Working for the San Diego Padres
We are beyond excited and grateful to see Adam’s journey come full circle! Through his internship with the National Academy of Athletics, he fully embraced the talk.teach.PLAY!® system, developing confidence, leadership, and invaluable skills that prepared him for the next level. Now, working for the San Diego Padres, it’s incredible to see how he has applied the lessons learned during his time with us to grow and advance in his career. Watching our team members learn, thrive, and succeed—whether within NAofA or beyond—is what it’s all about. We take great pride in supporting those who work with us, helping them build a strong foundation for their future.
Adam’s dedication and passion for sports were evident from day one. He put in the hard work, took on every challenge, and never stopped learning. His commitment paid off, and we couldn’t be happier to see him take this next big step.
“I am incredibly grateful for everything the National Academy of Athletics and Aaron Locks have done for me. I spent summers working hard at NAofA, hoping to break into the sports industry. Aaron’s leadership set high expectations, teaching me that success comes from hard work, fairness, and a positive attitude. That experience helped me develop valuable skills and strengthened my passion for sports. Last summer, I had the opportunity to work in the office with Aaron, where I learned important lessons about business and what it takes to succeed in a high-expectation environment. Now, I am excited to share that my hard work has paid off and the San Diego Padres have hired me! This is a major step in my career, and I could not have done it without the support and mentorship I received at NAofA.”
— Adam Graziani
From intern to leader, Adam’s growth has been remarkable. His ability to absorb knowledge, push himself, and rise to the occasion set him apart from the beginning.
“When Adam joined us as an intern, he was raw and needed a confidence boost to refine his skills. What set him apart was his eagerness to learn—he was a sponge, absorbing everything, putting in the work, and growing every step of the way. By the time his internship ended, he had transformed into a confident, capable leader who approached challenges with the assurance of someone who had done his homework. I’m incredibly proud, but not at all surprised, by his success.”
— Aaron Locks, CEO & Founder
Congratulations, Adam, on being hired by the San Diego Padres! We couldn’t be more excited for you and can’t wait to see all that you accomplish.
