College Athletic Staff Rating: Ronda Varnesdeel at Davenport University

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

0 10 Experience

Date: January 28, 2026

By Athlete

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

"Ronda lies so well I don’t even think she knows what the truth is. A manipulative liar is her 9-5. She lied to our entire team on multiple occasions. It’s not funny what she jokes about and she shares everyone’s personal information and business behind their backs. Be warned if you have to deal with her! Smile and be fake is your best bet. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Ronda Is No Good

Date: January 28, 2026

By Athlete

2.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

2.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"Ronda wasn’t the most communicative to me or any of my teammates and it made it hard to be a successful student athlete."

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Svsu Scandal Meets Du Scandal Sick

Date: January 27, 2026

By Parent

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"Dylan Liddell taking over for SVSU wbb is insultingly hilarious after working for BURT who told his players to keep their mouth shut and mind their own business when the women’s basketball coach was sleeping with his own player!!!! Haha SO SO SO SICKENING AND SHAMFUL. My son was told to “MIND HIS OWN BUSINESS” and yet no investigations for DU ALL COVER UPS "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Sometimes I Feel Like This Is What Prison Must Be Like

Date: January 27, 2026

By Other

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"I was one of many employees in the athletic department to receive the email from Ronda thanking the wbb coach for all he did at DU. Insane considering they had evidence and actively let this coach continue coaching after having a sexual relationship with his players. Everyone at DU knows about many staff member who have been in sexual relationships with students. They promoted our facilities worker who has zero experience and bragged about her relationship. Since then I started to pay attention to employees who moved up and got rewarded by Ronda. DU leadership BULLIES anyone who stands up for what is right. They reward all who kneel down to them and slide bad things under the rug or even those who participate in wrongdoing. It’s more than toxic. Everyone is in on it…all in athletic leadership, including HR and even the vice president. I’m scared to lose my job writing this but I’ve seen so much wrong doing I frankly don’t know what to do about it anymore. All my family lives in GR and I need this job. It’s just hard working with such toxic people everyday. It takes a toll on your soul. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

The Pay Is Decent But The People Here Are Criminals

Date: January 27, 2026

By Other

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"I’ve work at DU and can confirm that they welcome abusers with open arms. My girlfriend is friends with a strength coach’s wife and Ronda has spread hate through the sports med department. She definitely pushes her own agenda when you get on her bad side. I’d advise anyone working here to be careful and not trust people. Ronda has spies and employees that do her dirty work for her. Extra pay makes it worth it I guess, I just couldn’t live with myself if I did that to someone! Pretty cut throat place. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Davenport University Should Be On The World News. Leaders Normalize Toxic Behavior

Date: January 26, 2026

By Parent

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"I’ve kept my mouth shut for 4 years. It’s true. Ronda, admin and other coaches covered up the women’s basketball coach sleeping with his own player for over a year. The athlete was granted a 5th year and awarded her full scholarship after manipulating and blackmailing the coach. Ronda sent the coach off with an appreciation email after knowing what he was doing for over a year. Truly a disturbing and sickening university that is lead by some of the most horrific human beings. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Davenport, Ronda And Admin= Shameful

Date: January 26, 2026

By Other

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"I worked at Davenport university for only 2 years and know of 3 inappropriate staff/ athlete relationships that ronda and athletic administrators allowed to continue and covered up. SHAMEFUL "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Encourages And Hides Inappropriate Relationships! Davenport University Is A Disgrace

Date: January 25, 2026

By Parent

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"Rhonda and Davenport University protected their basketball coach who had an inappropriate sexual relationship with his own athlete for over a year! Boys will be boys. What if that was your brother??? The entire athletic administration and HR should be FIRED for protecting this coach and hiding this scandal and letting it continue.Literally what terrible people are at Davenport. It’s on all of your hands. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

You All Are Warned About Going To Davenport U

Date: January 24, 2026

By Parent

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"If you want to drink and have sex with coaches and staff Davenport University is the place for you. All around a safe haven for predators! Ronda, the vice president, Paul and HR ALL ALLOW THIS BEHAVIOR! Just MALES being MALES they say. Hope none of your kids find themselves in a bad situation with BAD PEOPLE!!!!"

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Protects Male Coaches That Sleep With Players

Date: January 24, 2026

By Parent

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"Anyone else in your position would have been fired 10 years ago. Your violations stack and stack and your friends cover for you. That’s why you promote unqualified employees so they are loyal to you. I hope one day someone on the board reads your truth. Sad thing is no one is lying about you. I know you’re a narcissist and get people to believe your sad tales but what you did to my daughter’s team won’t go unnoticed. You promoted a guy that slept with his player and then protected him. I believe HR and everyone at this school is corrupt. It’s disturbing what you all get away with. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Ignored Our Concerns To Protect Her Abusive Friend

Date: January 23, 2026

By Athlete

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"I 100 percent regret playing at Davenport. Ronda is friends with all the abusers at Davenport and she protects them. During my time at DU it seemed Ronda didn’t like coaches who had a clean image or were trying to do the right things. She really seemed to like coaches who broke rules, were inherently mean and abusive to their teams and ones who clearly masked themselves in medication. I’m assuming because that’s exactly who and what she is to her core. Ronda didn’t listen to any of our concerns and I spent my playing career getting abused by a guy that seemed to do it for fun. Meanwhile Ronda used him as a top pillar coach at DU as an example of what others should strive to be. A beyond delusional university. I should have never stayed in this atmosphere. Reflecting on my time I can say with certainty if you stay in an environment like this it will change you for the worse as you will start to think things like this are normal. THEY AREN'T. Save yourself. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

The People At Davenport Are Very Disturbing

Date: January 21, 2026

By Other

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"I have recordings of Rhonda bashing student athletes and coaches. That’s pretty much how you know you are working for a corrupt school. They all have dirt on each other so the obligation of protecting each other is evident. How they covered up the women’s basketball coach sleeping with his athletes didn’t sit well with me so I started paying attention. I’m sad to have my name associated with this place. I will start looking for work elsewhere because it’s evident these people are corrupt and applaud dishonesty and disturbing behaviors. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Didn’t Listen To Us What So Ever. Didn’t Care

Date: January 20, 2026

By Athlete

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"I told Ronda that Rob Harris was abusing our team and she put him on a pedestal. She shut us down and didn’t care. Why weren’t we heard and why weren’t our concerns took seriously? "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Abuses Athletic Funds And Allows Her Friends To Do The Same

Date: January 19, 2026

By Other

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"Rhonda should be investigated for abusing university funds. She uses funds for personal use as well as allowing many coaches who have been on staff for a long time to do the same. Ultimate corruption at Davenport University. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Beyond Unprofessional

Date: January 19, 2026

By Other

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"Never heard an administrator call someone a “retard” before. Until I met Rhonda. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Du It All Right. Took That Too Far At This Disgusting School

Date: January 18, 2026

By Parent

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"Davenport University is full of unethical people that lack integrity and character. The VP, all athletic administrators and HR are all major PROBLEMS. They all knowingly cover up scandal after scandal. They encourage coaches drinking and having sex with athletes. If you want to coach at a school like this god speed to you. Everyone at this school knows of this behavior and this behavior continues to happen and they keep their mouth shut. So in reality everyone who works at DU should be labeled of this terrible behavior. These people knowingly allowed and gave a scholarship for a 5th year to a girl that flaunted her sexual relationship with her coach. She manipulated the coach to change schedule times and taunted his fiancé. This behavior was rewarded and ALLOWED by admin for over a year. DU is the most twisted, toxic and disgusting school in D2. BEWARE what your kid might be getting into coming to this school. Manipulators that create more manipulators. Glad you’re grooming your student athletes to be just like these toxic people in power. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Terrible Admin, Hr And Coaches At Davenport University

Date: January 16, 2026

By Other

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"2adays needs to open an investigation on Rhonda and what she deliberately allows to happen at Davenport without any consequence. Rhonda, the executive AD, the title IX coordinator, the men’s basketball coach, the entire men’s and women’s basketball teams, and many other sports all knowingly allowed the former basketball coach to sleep with his athletes. Players frequently saw this coach have players in his hotel room and to his residence. All the people listed above knew this was happening and let it continue happening for over a year. No investigation, literally nothing. How can an NCAA institution allow this to happen. To make matters worse these people all silenced the athletes who tried to speak out and assistant coaches. All the coaches and administrators should be fired for knowingly allowing this to happen and silencing poor athletes with threats. There’s a pattern of bad behavior at this school and silencing of teams. It’s sickening they can bully and do whatever they want. The NCAA should shut this school down. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Rhonda Should Be Fired Immediately

Date: January 15, 2026

By Other

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"Can’t believe Rhonda didn’t insert herself to be the head coach of the WBB team right now. Leaving it up to an assistant that has no prior college coaching experience. Very strange. Guess she didn’t need a pay raise this semester. Clown show of a university. Glad I no longer coach basketball at DU. Would rather have a man with jv experience step in than a woman who has prior college coaching experience. Did the same thing with the previous HC. Only high school experience that involved sleeping with athletes. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Being The Swa Is A Joke

Date: January 15, 2026

By Parent

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"Has absolutely no right to be the SWA of any school. Completely puts females athletes and coaches second to male coaches and athletes. Told an assistant “how would you feel if that was your brother” in regard to a male coach sleeping with a student and cheating on his finance. It’s insane Rhonda has the title of SWA or has anything to do with title 9. It’s a disgrace to the job title. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Promotes Sexual Relationships With Coaches And Athletes As A Normal Thing. Sickening

Date: January 15, 2026

By Parent

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"100 percent would not recommend. Ronda is a narcissist and master manipulator that gets people to do her dirty work for her. Everyone in Kalkaska knows what you covered up and let slide. It’s sickening that this woman is still involved in the basketball programs at the school after what she did. Outrageous. Should not be involved in any athletic programs as she pushes her own agenda and blames everyone else who disagrees. Covers up men who sleep with athletes and steal from the school. Needs to be investigated. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

It’s Sad The Coaches She Covers Up Scandals For Don’t Even Like Her

Date: January 12, 2026

By Other

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"Failed to report multiple violations of coaches due to unprofessional relationships and seniority of those coaches. Wrong is wrong. You shouldn’t be able to cover up scandal after scandal for friends. It’s absurd what Davenport University allows their athletic admin to get away with. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Some Things Will Never Change. Ruining Lives Since 2011

Date: January 11, 2026

By Parent

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"I first read about one of Davenport’s scandals on Twitter. Ant Wright was right. This school covers up major offenses up. They gaslight and change the narrative and offer these poor naive children more benefits, more clothes, new things. I don’t blame the kids. Most stay knowing that they won’t get that amount of stuff at any other d2 school that isn’t very good. I sure hope these kids and parents look back and see how staying silent and conforming to this toxic environment is and will be extremely harmful for theirs and others future. I’m happy my child no longer has Davenport University associated with their name. Some seriously evil things are happening in Grand Rapids."

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Where The Heartless Are: Davenport U. Sums It Up Perfectly

Date: January 11, 2026

By Athlete

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"Trauma bonding is a powerful psychological attachment that forms between an abuser and their victim, stemming from a cycle of abuse followed by positive reinforcement, creating a confusing bond of fear, dependency, and affection. It's a survival response where the brain latches onto intermittent kindness and relief from the abuser, making it difficult to leave the harmful relationship, and can occur in a cult settings, similar to Stockholm Syndrome. The abuser alternates between abuse (threats, criticism, control) and affection (love bombing, apologies, gifts). In stressful situations, humans naturally turn to a caregiver figure for safety; in abuse, the abuser becomes this figure, triggering the brain's attachment system, releasing oxytocin. Emotional rollercoaster: The brain becomes conditioned to the highs (dopamine from affection) and lows (cortisol from conflict), creating dependence. Signs of a trauma bond Making excuses for the abuser's behavior. Feeling guilt or shame when thinking about leaving. Feeling controlled or isolated. Hypervigilance, feeling like you're "walking on eggshells". Rationalizing the relationship or hoping the abuser will change. Strong loyalty despite the harm. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

I Used To Wear Du Proudly On My Chest In That Gym. Not Anymore. Deep Problems At Du. Not A Place To Want To Be Associated With

Date: January 11, 2026

By Parent

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"DU is a deeply unethical university athletic program where serious misconduct is normalized and protected. Athletes are permitted to break rules involving alcohol, sexual relationships with coaches, and academic integrity, while staff and administrators knowingly look the other way—especially when favored coaches or employees are involved. Inappropriate relationships between staff and athletes, misuse of athletic funds for personal benefit, and repeated violations during travel and recruiting activities. Anyone who raise ethical concerns are silenced or retaliated against, and internal accountability systems such as HR and Title IX are compromised. The removal of anonymous reporting mechanisms is part of a broader effort to shield leadership and preferred employees from scrutiny. Davenport Athletics is corrupt. Meaningful reform is unlikely and few safe avenues to report misconduct are available. Sad reality is that Davenport is teaching the next generation to be corrupt, unethical, have no morals, to be selfish and that accountability doesn’t exist based on who you know. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Associate Director of Athletics

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

What Is Happening At Davenport University Is Much Bigger Than Just Having A Problem With A Coach. It’s Disgusting Colleges Like This Exist

Date: January 11, 2026

By Parent

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Disorganized Old School Mentality Dedicated To Players Creates A Great Team Culture

"Rhonda, the executive AD, and the title IX coordinator, and the executive VP of student services are part of a deeply unethical and corrupt culture within their university athletic program. This group operates as a tightly controlled inner circle that protects certain male employees and at least one female facilities worker from accountability, even when accused of serious misconduct. This culture includes the misuse of athletic funds, inappropriate personal and sexual relationships between full time employees and athletes, alcohol use with athletes, sexual harassment, and the normalization of these behaviors within the program. Athletes are conditioned to believe such conduct is “normal” through incentives such as extra benefits, preferential treatment, or larger scholarships. The university systematically controls narratives, discourages complaints, and covers up Title IX violations. The athletic administration makes sure certain Title IX coordinators are unaware of misconduct involving favored coaches or staff due to internal suppression of reports. A broader drug and sex culture is encouraged at Davenport. One that disproportionately protects male staff and athletes. Rhonda, in particular, enables and normalizes inappropriate relationships between coaches and athletes and protects specific individuals due to personal connections. There is widespread academic dishonesty within the athletic program, including athletes receiving improper assistance with coursework and facing little to no accountability when violations are discovered. Davenport University lacks academic rigor, ethical leadership, and meaningful oversight, and the situation warrants investigation by external authorities. "

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Ronda Varnesdeel Review

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