Christian women’s hoops team that was sanctioned for disputed trans athlete abuse wins Canadian championship

A Historic Victory for Columbia Bible College Amidst Controversy

Columbia Bible College (CBC) made history this year by winning the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) women’s basketball national championship for the first time ever. In a thrilling final game, CBC defeated St. Mary’s University with a score of 77-70. This victory marked a significant milestone for the program, which had previously endured a challenging period, including a 54-game losing streak from 2018 to 2023. The team’s resilience and determination paid off, culminating in their first national title.

A Standout Performance by CBC Players

Key players like Elissa Vreugdenhil and Grace Park were instrumental in CBC’s success. Vreugdenhil was named the CCAA Championship Tournament MVP, contributing 19 points and 12 rebounds in the final game. Park also had a standout performance, scoring 20 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out four assists, earning her the Player of the Game award. Madeline Beerwald added 20 points and eight rebounds, further showcasing the team’s depth and talent.

Overcoming the Shadow of Controversy

Despite their triumph, CBC’s journey was not without challenges. The team faced backlash following allegations of misconduct involving a transgender athlete from Vancouver Island University (VIU). Head coach Taylor Claggett was suspended, and CBC lost the right to host the conference tournament after accusations surfaced. These allegations stemmed from a game in October where trans player Harriette Mackenzie accused Claggett of making derogatory comments about her participation. Claggett denied the claims, stating her concerns were about the safety of female athletes.

The Feud and Its Fallout

The feud began during an October 25 game where VIU emerged victorious, with Mackenzie scoring a game-high 19 points. Post-game, Mackenzie alleged on Instagram that Claggett had confronted VIU’s athletic staff, objecting to Mackenzie’s participation. She also claimed that a CBC player deliberately fouled her. In response, Claggett maintained that her comments were about safety, not targeting Mackenzie personally. The situation escalated, leading VIU to forfeit two scheduled games against CBC, citing concerns about intimidation and harassment. The PacWest conference ultimately sided with VIU, suspending Claggett and stripping CBC of hosting privileges.

CBC’s Players Defend Their Coach

CBC players rallied around Coach Claggett, writing a letter that criticized Mackenzie and VIU for personal attacks and defamatory comments. They argued that the public airing of grievances violated conference rules and should have been handled privately. Despite these efforts, the PacWest supported VIU, leading to Claggett’s suspension and the loss of hosting rights for CBC. This turmoil added extra pressure to CBC’s season, but the team persevered.

A Dramatic Turnaround

The season was a true underdog story for CBC. From a 54-game losing streak to becoming national champions, the team demonstrated remarkable resilience. Their journey was fraught with on-court challenges and off-court controversies, but they remained focused on their goal. Ultimately, VIU’s season ended prematurely with a first-round loss at nationals, while CBC celebrated their historic victory. This season will be remembered not only for their triumph but also for their ability to overcome adversity.