B.C. basketball team to skip games over alleged mistreatment of trans player

Transgender athlete Harriette Mackenzie of Vancouver Island University is shown in a 2024 handout photo. A group of collegiate basketball players in B.C. say they will not play a pair of games against another team in their division this weekend because the verbal and physical mistreatment a transgender player experienced has not been addressed. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Vancouver Island University-Mary Kessenich

A group of collegiate basketball players in B.C. say they will not play a pair of games against another team in their division this weekend due to alleged verbal and physical mistreatment of a transgender teammate that they say has not been addressed.

All 13 players on the Vancouver Island University Mariners squad have signed a letter saying they do not feel safe playing at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, B.C.

"All of us should be free to be ourselves and play the game we love in a supportive and safe environment — including queer and trans athletes," read the letter.

Mariners forward Harriette Mackenzie spoke in October about verbal and physical mistreatment she endured when her team hosted Columbia Bible College for a pair of games in Nanaimo, B.C.

Mackenzie, who is transgender, said the visiting team's coach, Taylor Claggett, went on a "tirade" after losing on Oct. 25, yelling at a Mariners staff member about how Mackenzie shouldn't be allowed to play against women. A social media account linked to Claggett also posted anti-trans messages after the game.

The two sides played again on Oct. 26 and Mackenzie claimed her opponents physically targeted her. She shared a video from the game where, away from the ball, a Columbia player tosses Mackenzie to the ground.

Columbia Bible College, an evangelical Mennonite bible college, later said in a statement that Clagget was "speaking out for the safety of her players like any good coach would do."

"We stand in support of Taylor Claggett, and all our coaches, in expressing their legitimate concerns for the safety of our student-athletes," the statement said.

Mackenzie filed a complaint with the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST), but the letter released by her team on Tuesday said the governing body has not investigated or issued any suspensions or consequences.

"By doing nothing, by saying nothing, by issuing no suspensions or sanctions, your message is clear: you think what happened was OK," read the letter addressed to VIU and PACWEST leadership.

"We need you to know that we are not OK with what happened. We don't feel safe playing at CBC or with that team so long as coach Clagget is still free to behave the way she did. Your inaction isn't just disappointing. It has made us and the game less safe."

A spokesman for PACWEST declined to comment on the letter or the conference's response, citing an ongoing investigation.

Columbia Bible College issued a statement Wednesday saying the school stands for "safe play for all."

"Accusations that CBC, its coaches, players, and fans, are a safety threat are simply untrue and misinformed," it read.

The statement also said the school and PACWEST had worked with VIU and the Abbotsford Police Department to develop a safety plan for Friday and Saturday's games in Abbotsford. It said the plan included extra security "among other measures."

The VIU letter said players were being asked to play despite their fears and amid misgivings about a safety plan.

"The harm done to Harriette and our team was done on the court by this coach — a coach and a team whose conduct you apparently condone," it read. "No unmarked buses, separate entrances, or banning of protest signs will protect us from that."

The letter also suggested players were told that if they feel unsafe, they should stay behind and not play in the games.

"You are asking us to risk our safety or forfeit a game and lose our standing," it read. "You are suggesting we divide and some of us go play while leaving those who feel the most unsafe behind. What kind of choices are those? You should be standing with us, standing up for safe and fair play."

Vancouver Island University issued a statement Wednesday expressing "full support" for its student-athletes and affirming their right to compete in an environment that is safe and inclusive.

The university urged PACWEST to address the situation with "diligence, care, and leadership," adding that "intimidation, harassment, and discrimination have no place in athletics."

"We trust PACWEST to uphold its principles and prioritize the safety and inclusion of all participants in collegiate sports," the statement read.

"We believe this is a shared responsibility and call on PACWEST to fulfil its role in advancing this effort."

The Mariners — ranked first in the conference and fifth in the country with an 11-1 record — said they will not play at CBC until PACWEST suspends Claggett, moves the provincial championship to a venue other than CBC, and requires the school to commit to a "zero-tolerance policy for hate and discrimination."

The letter argued that VIU should not be penalized with a loss if the team does not play Friday and Saturday's games. If PACWEST won't commit to registering no wins or losses for the games, the conference must postpone them, the letter said.

"We love this game, and we love our team," it read. "We are counting on you to have our backs and do what's right." 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 8, 2025.