Assistant coach Rob Battisson is set to begin his fifth season as a member of The University of Akron women's soccer coaching staff in 2011. Battisson has been instrumental in the program's consistent rise over the past several seasons. He serves as assistant coach and as the program's recruiting coordinator for field players.

Prior to joining the UA staff, he served as head men's coach at Division II Chowan University (N.C.) during the 2005-06 season. Preceding his time at Chowan, he was assistant women's coach at D-II Northwest Missouri State from 2003-05. Since 2004, Battisson has accumulated several years of ODP coaching experience, serving on the staffs of the Region II, Ohio North, and Kansas teams. He currently is a Region II ODP staff coach and the head coach of the Ohio North ODP team.

As a student-athlete, Battisson was a three-year captain at D-II Lock Haven University in Lock Haven, Pa., where he graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in English literature. He earned a master of arts degree from Northwest Missouri State in 2005 and holds a master of science degree in sport science/coaching and exercise physiology from The University of Akron.

In his time at Lock Haven, he was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, a four-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) scholar-athlete and was twice honored as First-Team All-PSAC.

Battisson hails from the United Kingdom, where he played and coached in numerous youth and adult leagues. . He holds USSF "A" and National Youth Licenses; NSCAA Premier diploma and a Level 2 goalkeeping diploma; and a Level 2 coaching certificate from the English Football Association.

Battisson is a member of the English Football Association, the NSCAA and the U.S. Soccer Federation.