UAB Names Battle Assistant Women's Soccer Coach

BIRMINGHAM - Dawn Battle has been hired as UAB's assistant women's soccer coach, head coach Paul Harbin announced on Wednesday.

Battle comes to UAB after a four-year playing career with Alabama from 1998-2001. The Stone Mountain, Ga. native was a forward for the Crimson Tide, playing in 60 games with 45 starts. As a freshman, she was named second-team All-America, Freshman All-Central Region, and second-team All-Central Region by Soccer Buzz. As a senior, Battle injured her ankle and only played in 15 games. She recorded her first collegiate goal as a senior knocking in a header against Arkansas.

At the coaching level, Battle served as the assistant coach at Central Tuscaloosa High School from January to May. There, she helped lead the team to a 20-2 record and the finals of the Alabama State Championship. Her duties included organizing soccer practices and creating defensive strategies, as well as technical and tactical training.

Prior to playing at Alabama, Battle prepped at Stone Mountain High School and played club for the Atlanta Lightning. At Stone Mountain, she collected 69 goals and 48 assists in her three-year career. Following her junior year, Battle was named Stone Mountain Player of the Year and was a two-time team MVP. Battle also lettered in basketball, softball and track.

"We are extremely excited to have dawn join our staff," said Harbin. "Over the course of the last few years, she has proven to be an outstanding player, a leader, and an excellent coach. Most importantly, she is a quality person who philosophically will be a great fit for our program."

Battle received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education with a concentration on Early Child Development from Alabama in May. She has also served as the secretary/treasurer for the Student-Athlete Advisory Board, a student-teacher for the Shelton State Community College Child Development Center, and a counselor for the Boys & Girls Club of Tuscaloosa.

"I believe that having the opportunity to be a part of the UAB women's soccer team will be a great experience," added Battle. "I have received nothing but kindness from everyone that I have come in contact with. I strongly feel that I will be right at home with the team, their parents, the fans, and the coaching staff."