Mr. Aron Bassoff
Head Coach – Women’s Soccer

Aron Bassoff is beginning his fourth season as the Patriots head women’s soccer coach. Bassoff joined the Patriot staff after having coached at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Prior to that, he served as the assistant men's soccer coach then head men's soccer coach at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA.

Bassoff was graduated from Messiah College with a BS in Sport and Exercise Science and earned a Masters in Sports Management from Nova Southeastern University in May 2006.

While at Dickinson College, Bassoff was the Director of Coaching for Premier F.C. Underneath his leadership, the club produced 30 collegiate players, a state-final appearance, and two state semi-final appearances. At PBA, he was active with several youth soccer clubs and a member of the Coerver Coaching Staff.

Bassoff has had a standout career as a head coach, with four seasons served. In his first season at PBA, he reversed men’s soccer history of six consecutive losing seasons with an 11-6-1 record. Bassoff also helped lead the teams to make history. He led the men’s team to their first ever Florida Sun Championship, their first ever NAIA regional playoff appearance, and their first national ranking. He also led the women’s team to a second place finish in the Florida Sun Conference, a NAIA regional championship game, and a national ranking as high as seventh. He produced an overall record of 40-34-3 at PBA and had five winning teams.

The 2007 season proved to be a breakout year for Bassoff and the Patriot Ladies. The team reversed six consectutive losing seasons with an impressive 16-5 overall record. Those 16 victories were more wins than the previous two years combined. The Patriots advanced to the championship round of the Mid-South Conference tournament and advanced to the Region XI semi-finals defeating Georgetown twice in the process, a team that they had not beaten since 2003. Those two post-season wins were the first since the 2001 season. The 16 wins are also the second most in a season and the 16-5 record is the second highest winning percentage in a season.

Players have enjoyed much success under Bassoff, as well. Leslie Allred established the career record for goals as a junior in 2007. Seven other Patriot Ladies were named to the MSC All-Conference team, with a total of 19 players in his three seasons.

Under Coach Bassoff, the team has still held a high standard for academics. Nine players were named to the Academic All-Conference team, which requires a grade point average of 3.25 or better, during the 2007 season with a total of 25 in the three seasons. Five players were NAIA Scholar Athletes by maintaining a 3.5 grade point average or above. During the 2006 season, the team as a whole had an average cumulative grade point average of 3.4 and was recognized with the NAIA Team Academic Award.

Bassoff brought soccer camps back to Cumberlands during the summers and has also organized a Fall Soccer League for the community. He is also a member of the coaching staff for Knoxville F.C. and Kentucky's Olympic Developmental Program (ODP).

Additionally, he has obtained a USSF 'B' License, the second highest coaching license offered, and a NSCAA Premier Diploma, the highest coaching license offered.

He is married to Tammy Bassoff and they have two children, Kayla and Drew.

Ashleigh Townsend joins the women's soccer staff as a Graduate Assistant this season after completing his first year of coaching as a Graduate Assistant for the men's soccer team.


During his soccer career at UC, Ashleigh helped lead his team to post-season play all four years. He was also recognized by the Mid-South Conference every year as a member of its All-Conference Team.

Ashleigh hails from Halifax, England and received a B.S. degree from UC in May 2007 in Public Health. This past summer, Ashleigh played professional soccer in the Second Division of the United Soccer League (USL) with the Cincinnati Kings. He was recognized as a member of the All-League Second Team at the close of the season.

Ashleigh comments, "I hope I can be a positive influence for them and pass on the skills and knowledge I learned as a player at UC."