One of the most respected and admired coaches in the local area on and off the court, Bob Batson is in his 31st year of coaching. Batson enters new ground at the collegiate level as the first ever women’s basketball coach at Ave Maria University, but not as stranger to success and starting programs from scratch. Batson is coming from an extremely successful coaching run compiling a 229-107 (.681) coaching record the past 11 years.

Batson joins AMU from South Fort Myers High School where he began the program in 2005, leading the Wolfpack to a 68-21 (.764) record in the first three years of infancy. Batson led his new program to the school’s first ever District Championship in 2007 and it’s first Regional Championship and 4A final four finish in any sport in 2008.

Prior to South Fort Myers  Batson was the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Bishop Verot High School from 1995-2003. There he led the Vikings to a 171-85 (.668) season in the eight year period as Head Coach. He also served as Alternate Assistant Coach from 1993-1995. Batson collected five regular season district championships, three district tournament championships and two regional championship titles. He led the Vikings to two 3A final fours (2002 &2003), a 3A State Runner-Up Title (2002) and a three year 29-1 record (2000-2003).

Batson started his high school coaching career as a Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Cypress Lake High School in Fort Myers, Florida  from 1987-1993. There under Head Coaches Charles Dailey and Elmer Tremont he helped lead the team to a number one state ranking in 1991 and a final four finish in 1992.

Batson begin his coaching career working with youth division in multiple sports. From 1969-1971 he taught youth football, baseball and basketball while in the United States Army. For ten years (1979-1989), Batson coached Little League Baseball and Softball, youth soccer and YBA basketball.

Batson's success has earned him numerous accolades throughout his long coaching career. He has been named Florida Athletic Coaches Association District Coach of the Year three times, Fort Myers News Press Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year twice and is a three time Southwest Florida Basketball Coaches Association Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year. Batson was also twice named the State of Florida Athletic Coaches Association North/South Girls’ Basketball All-Star Assistant Coach (2002) Head Coach (2003) and the Southwest Florida All Star Girls’ Basketball Coach three times.

Batson's successful coaching record speaks for itself; however his commitment to his players extends far beyond the record books.

Batson is a former member of the Florida Gulf Coast University Athletic Advisory Committee.   Past Member of the Board of Directors - First Union Bank; Past President of the Lee County YMCA;  Past Member  of the Advisory Committee, Fisher School of Accounting and University of Florida Past member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of Classic Basketball, Inc.  He also belongs to the Florida Coaches Association, National Federation of High School Coaches Association and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association

A graduate of University of the Florida in 1968 with a B.S., B.A. Degree in Accounting, Batson has been a  Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Institute of Certified Financial Planners, International Board of Certified Financial Planners, Academy of Family Mediators, Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator, Medical Group Management Association, Past Member  - AICPA Management of an Accounting Practice Committee, National CPA Health Care Advisors, National CPA Health Care Consultants and AICPA State Liaison Committee, Vice President of the FICPA (1990-91), President-Elect of the FICPA (1991-92 Year), President of the FICPA (1992-93 Year)

TIMELINE            

Year                      Overall                                 School

2005-08                68-21 (3 years)                     South Fort Myers High School

1995-03                171-85 (8 years)                   Bishop Vero High School

1993-95                                                              Bishop Vero High School Alternate Coach

1987-1993                                                          Cypress Lake High School Assistant Coach

1979-1989                                                          Little League, YBA Basketball Youth Coach

COACHING AWARDS

Three time Florida Athletic Coaches Association District Coach of the Year

Two time Fort Myers News Press Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year

Three Southwest Florida Basketball Coaches Association Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year

State of Florida Athletic Coaches Association North/South Girls’ Basketball All Star Assistant Coach (2002)

State of Florida Athletic Coaches Association North/South Girls’ Basketball All Star Head Coach (2003)

Three time Southwest Florida All Star Girls’ Basketball Coach  

BASKETBALL AFFILIATIONS         

Member Florida Athletic Coaches Association

Member Women’s Basketball Coaches Association

Member National Federation of State High School Coaches Association

Member Southwest Florida Association of Basketball Coaches

Assistant Women's Basketball Coach Janna Bennett