Southwestern Oklahoma State University Athletics

Battles was a two-sport standout on both the Bulldogs basketball and football teams from 1954 to 1957. He played on all three conference championship teams under SWOSU Hall of Fame coach Joe Metcalf, serving as captain in 1956 and garnering all-conference honors in his final three seasons. Battles then went on to teach and coach football at various high schools compiling a career record of 41-23-2. In 1965 he was selected as a South coach for the Oklahoma All-State football game.