2001
The Voice: Spring 2001
Rhoda retires as women's basketball coach
Dr. Len Rhoda will retire as the Dordt College women's basketball coach after this season.
Rhoda has been the women's basketball coach at Dordt College for the last twenty-one seasons,
dating back to 1979-1980. From 1970-77, Rhoda was the men's basketball coach. He has posted
over 300 all-time collegiate wins in his career and has taught in the health, physical education,
and recreation department since 1970. Dr. Rhoda will continue as a professor and head men's
tennis coach at Dordt.
“I feel very good about this move,” said Rhoda. “Dordt College is an outstanding Christian
college, and I have enjoyed nothing but positive experiences with the women's basketball
program. It's been a privilege to work at this institution as a teacher and coach with outstanding
young people,” added Rhoda.
Glenn Bouma will take over the head coaching position for the women starting with the 2001-
2002 season. Bouma, an Iowa Hall of Fame boys high school coach at Unity Christian High
School in Orange City, Iowa, has been director of the receration center at Dordt since 1997. He
will continue in that position as he takes on coaching responsibilities.
Bouma coached the Knights of Unity Christian for twenty years from 1977 to 1997 and compiled
a 318-118 all-time record, with two Iowa State Basketball Championships in 1986 (1A) and 1994
(2A). Bouma was inducted into the Iowa High School Hall of Fame at the 2000 Iowa Boys State
Basketball Tournament.
“I am looking forward to this opportunity,” said Bouma. “When you step away from something
you enjoy for four years, it's exciting to come back and enjoy the game again and coach it,” he
added.
“I see basketball as an important part of the Dordt College philosophy, which is to nurture
Christian maturation by way of positive experiences while playing basketball. There is no doubt
that this will be a learning experience, but I hope to use my experiences as a teacher, coach, and
official make this a beneficial experience for all involved.”
Bouma has the utmost respect for the years of service Rhoda has given Dordt College as a coach
and teacher. “You hate to see excellent people step away from something they love so much, and
we should be thankful for everything that Dr. Rhoda has given to this institution, the student
athletes, and the game of basketball,” he said.
