UALBANY’S JOHN BATTAGLINO STEPS DOWN

ALBANY, N.Y. » The University at Albany Athletic Department announced Wednesday, Jan. 24, that Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach, John Battaglino, has stepped down after seven seasons at the helm of the Great Danes program. Battaglino cited personal reasons for the move. In the interim, UAlbany has promoted Associate Head Coach, Jessica Davos, to the head-coaching position for the remainder of the season. A national search will ensue following the conclusion of the season. “After more than two decades coaching, I am stepping down as the head women’s lacrosse coach at the University at Albany,” Battaglino said. “Lacrosse and dedicated studentathletes always will be my passion. In the immediate future, I will be exploring some other interests and spending more time with my wife and family. I have had the privilege of working with outstanding coaches. Jessica Davos and Taylor Frink are both excellent role models and teachers. I am so proud of all my former players. And I wish this year’s UAlbany women’s lacrosse student-athletes every success on the field and in the classroom.” UAlbany Athletic Director, Mark Benson, commented, “We thank Coach Battaglino and his family for their commitment to the University and wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors. We are more than confident that Coach Davos will continue to have our student-athletes succeed in the classroom and put our program in position to compete for an America East Championship.” Battaglino took over as Great Danes head coach in 2010 and compiled an 81-26 record, with America East Championships in 2011 and 2012 followed by at-large NCAA invitations in 2015 and 2017. He was named WomensLax.com Division I Coach of the Year in 2011 and America East Women’s Lacrosse Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2014. Davos is entering her eighth season at UAlbany, where her primary responsibilities were to oversee the defense. In 2017, she was named to the Associate Head Coach position. “It’s a privilege to lead this talented group of studentathletes as we move forward,” Davos said. “We have a competitive schedule, as we do every year, and we will be ready to play when we hit the field at Yale next month.” A native of Albany, N.Y. and a graduate of Albany Academy, Davos (formerly DeRosa) earned four varsity lacrosse letters at Syracuse, where she received an undergraduate degree in English and Textual Studies. She was selected to the 2002 Big East Conference Academic All-Star squad. Davos came to the Great Danes with head coaching experience. She served as the head coach at Bryant University for one season, where she guided the Bulldogs to a 10-8 record, and she led Bentley College in 2007, where she steered the Falcons to their best season in seven years with an 11-6 mark.