Davenport University Athletics

Areal Vanden Akker was named Head Diving Coach for the Davenport men's and women's swimming and diving programs prior to the 2021-22 season. She has seen continued growth in the diving program and has guided Panther divers to place top eight at both the GLIAC Championship and NCAA Division II National Championship over the past few years.
 
Vanden Akker also coached for the Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics Club dive team in Holland for eight years where she developed athletes of all levels (age 5-25). Prior to coaching for the Panthers, she was the head boys diving coach at Holland Christian High School for five years. There, she coached state-scoring athletes each year and won the 2022 MISCA D3 Boys Diving Coach of the Year award. An alumna of both Hope College and Holland Christian's diving teams, she came to DU with a variety and depth of diving and coaching experience. 

Areal and her husband, Jonathan, got married in 2025 and reside in Holland, Michigan. Outside of the pool, you can find them enjoying the outdoors, traveling, or entertaining their dog, Indy.