Lyon College Men's Soccer

BATESVILLE, Arkansas - Lyon College Athletics is pleased to announce that Robert Pope will be the next Lyon College Scots men’s soccer assistant coach for the 2024 season. Pope attended the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas from 2015 to 2017 and played a total of 40 matches for the men's soccer team, with 30 starts and four assists.  In March of 2018, he joined the United States Air Force as Security Forces and was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base. Pope was deployed in June of 2020 to Qatar for six months. He completed his four-year commitment and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in March of 2022.  Pope went back to the University of the Ozarks for the fall 2022 semester to finish school and was a volunteer assistant coach for the men's soccer team for the 2022 and 2023 fall and spring seasons while being a full-time student. He graduated, with honors, in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in psychology with minors in philosophy and sociology.  "I am very excited to officially start my coaching career at Lyon College,” Pope said. “I am grateful that I can be a part of this program and have the opportunity to continue to add to its successful history."  

Ronaldo Jacob hails from the vibrant twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, bringing a rich cultural background to his academic and athletic pursuits. As a dedicated student-athlete, Ronaldo Jacob pursued his higher education at Lyon College, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Communications. During their time at Lyon College, Ronaldo made a significant impact both on and off the field. In 2021, he was a part of the team that made history in securing the Regular Season and Tournament Championships, whilst earning a spot on the All-Academic Team that year. His commitment and exceptional performance continued to shine in 2023 as he captained the squad. He was honored with several prestigious accolades, including the SLIAC Defensive Player of the Year award, SLIAC First Team All-Conference, and USCAA All-American Second Team recognition. Building on his success, Ronaldo has transitioned into a new role as an Assistant Coach at Lyon College in 2024. This role allows him to mentor and guide the next generation of student-athletes, leveraging their extensive experience and passion for the sport to foster growth and excellence within the team. Ronaldo remains deeply connected to their roots in Trinidad and Tobago, infusing their coaching approach with the diverse perspectives and values that have shaped their journey. Their story is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence both in academics and athletics.