GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Davenport University is pleased to announce the hiring of
Kathryn Bzdafka as head coach of the softball program. Bzdafka becomes the fourth coach in program history after spending six seasons at Malone University of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), also a member of the NCAA Division II Midwest Region.
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"Kathryn has proven herself as a competitor and dedicated mentor in her previous roles," said Associate Director of Athletics/SWA/Deputy Title IX Coordinator,
Ronda Varnesdeel. "Her passion for student-athletes and pride in being an ambassador for the game of softball was evident in the interview process. The Davenport softball program has built an impressive history and it was clear that Kathryn is the right leader to help to continue to build on the strong foundation that has been created."
In those six seasons with the Pioneers, Bzdafka amassed an overall record of 95-114-2 including a 47-72 mark in G-MAC play. In just her second campaign in 2017, she guided the program to a G-MAC Tournament appearance where they registered their first postseason victory since 2002. Bzdafka and Malone followed that up with a 15-19 record in 2018, the program's best winning percentage (.441) in eight seasons. That momentum carried into 2019 when Bzdafka achieved a record of 23-17, the first winning record for the program since 2002. Then, in the postseason, Bzdafka led the the Pioneers to a pair of wins as they advanced to the G-MAC Tournament semifinals for the first time ever. Most recently in 2021, Malone's ascension continued with an overall record of 24-11-1, a 15-7 mark in league play and second-straight appearance in the G-MAC Tournament.
"I would like to thank
Paul Lowden and
Ronda Varnesdeel for the opportunity to become a Panther," said Bzdafka. "Davenport softball has a rich tradition of excellence and I am both honored and humbled to be a part of this community. I have an incredible amount of respect for the players and coaches who built this program and I look forward to continuing to build Davenport's legacy. I'm excited to meet the players and get to work!"
Prior to returning to her alma mater, Bzdafka served as an assistant coach at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio for two seasons. Bzdafka was NDC's hitting and outfield coach during the 2014-15 seasons, helping guide the Falcons to a Mountain East Conference Tournament Championship in 2015. She worked with numerous all-conference players at Notre Dame including center fielder Kelsey Coleman, who was named to the 2015 NCAA Division II All-America Team in addition to being tabbed as the 2015 Division II Atlantic Region Player of the Year.
Before the two-year stint with NDC, Bzdafka served as Fairview (Ohio) High School's varsity head coach from 2010-13 and as Elyria Catholic High School's pitching instructor from 2009-11. From 2011-14, she was the head coach with Cleveland RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner-cities), a community program funded by the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Baseball Federation that gives inner-city high school students an opportunity to compete at a high level of softball and gain national exposure.
Bzdafka, a 2004 graduate of Avon Lake High School and member of the Pioneers from 2005-08, was a three-time All-AMC (American Mideast Conference) selection as a shortstop and pitcher. She garnered NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) All-America Honorable Mention accolades following the 2006 season after finishing with a .336 batting average, 14 doubles, 21 RBI's, and a .589 slugging percentage. Over her four years as a Pioneer, Bzdafka posted a .310 average with 27 doubles, seven homers and 47 RBI's. She also tossed a total of 237 innings in the circle with 17 complete games and a career 4.94 earned run average.
Bzdafka graduated from Malone in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in Integrated Language Arts and then earned a master's degree from Notre Dame College in 2015. While completing her M. Ed., Bzdafka created a technology leadership program designed to develop and empower the millennial generation of softball players.
Story by:
Cooper Weidenthaler
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