VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. —Batten University Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Brandon Elliott has announced the hiring of Emilee Heffner as the next Head Women's Lacrosse Coach.

Heffner arrives at Batten after serving as an assistant coach at Transylvania University, where she played an integral role in all aspects of the program.

"We are excited to welcome Emilee to the Batten Athletics family," said Elliott. "She has quickly established herself as a rising coach in collegiate women's lacrosse and brings tremendous energy, a strong work ethic, and a passion for developing student-athletes. Her commitment to building meaningful relationships while striving for competitive excellence aligns perfectly with the vision of Batten University Athletics."

Heffner arrives at Batten following two successful seasons as an assistant coach at Transylvania University, where she helped guide the Pioneers to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2025 & 2026. During the 2026 campaign, she played a key role in the program's first 10-win season since 2023.

At Transylvania, Heffner was heavily involved in all facets of the program. She played a significant role in recruiting efforts, helping bring in approximately half of the team's incoming student-athletes, while also overseeing academic support, coordinating team travel, managing social media, organizing equipment operations, and assisting with practice planning and player development.

Prior to Transylvania, Heffner gained collegiate coaching experience at Piedmont University and her alma mater, Oglethorpe University, where she served in assistant coaching roles focused on recruiting, player development, and program operations.

"I am incredibly honored and excited to join Batten University as the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach," said Heffner. "From the beginning of this process, it was clear that Batten is committed to providing an outstanding experience for its student-athletes both academically and athletically. I look forward to building a competitive program founded on strong relationships, accountability, and a culture where our student-athletes can thrive on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the campus community."

Heffner earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Oglethorpe University in 2021, where she was a five-year member of the women's lacrosse program and a four-year member of the women's soccer team. During her collegiate career, she served as a team captain and member of the athletic leadership council.

She completed her Master of Science in Sport Management from the University of Florida in 2025 while continuing her collegiate coaching career.

Dedicated to continued professional growth, Heffner has participated in both the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Mentor Program and the IWLCA Aspire Program, further preparing her for leadership at the collegiate level.

Heffner becomes the next leader of the Batten women's lacrosse program and will immediately begin preparing the Marlins for the 2027 season.