University of Akron Women's Soccer

Battisson, who was Noreen Herlihy's top assistant at Slippery Rock in 2014, returns to Akron in 2015 where he served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator during the 2007-11 seasons. "I am very pleased to have Rob join our staff. Rob is a man of great character and professionalism that shows a tremendous understanding of the student-athlete and has a great knowledge of the game," said Herlihy. "His communication skills, enthusiasm, and work ethic are all qualities that I admire." Before joining Herlihy at the Rock last fall, Battisson spent the two seasons as an assistant at Northwestern University and spent the five years at Akron. Battisson spent one year as the head coach of the men's soccer team at Division II Chowan University in 2005. Along with his collegiate coaching experience, Battisson has been involved as a head coach and camp director for multiple club teams and camps, as well as a regional staff coach for the Region II Olympic Development Program in Ohio North, Kansas. A native of England, Battisson played soccer and graduated from Lock Haven University in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in English. He went on to earn a master's degree in English Literature from Northwestern Missouri State in 2005. Battisson added two more master's degrees from the University of Akron with a sports science and coaching master's in 2009 and a master's of exercise physiology in 2011. Battisson was a two-time first team All-PSAC performer at Lock Haven and a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American. He was a three-year team captain. He holds national licenses from the United States Soccer Federation, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and the English Football Association.