Trans Athlete Wins MVP After Leading Team to Victory in Women's College Basketball Championship

Saturday night saw a dramatic conclusion to the Canadian PACWEST women’s college basketball championship, as transgender athlete Harriette Mackenzie led Vancouver Island University (VIU) to a 69-59 victory over Columbia Christian College (CBC). Mackenzie not only dominated the game with 21 points and 10 rebounds but also clinched the tournament MVP title in a season that was anything but uneventful.

The win crowned a remarkable season for Mackenzie, who led the conference in scoring by a whopping 62-point margin. Off the court, the athlete was a central figure in a fiery feud between the two teams, which included sanctions against CBC after allegations of harassment and discrimination were made by Mackenzie.

The tension between VIU and CBC began during an October 25 game when Mackenzie accused CBC head coach Taylor Clagett of making disparaging comments and a player of targeting her with a hard foul. Mackenzie took to Instagram to share her claims, accusing Clagett of saying she shouldn’t be allowed to play and alleging that a CBC player “two-hand chucked” her to the ground, which Clagett appeared to applaud.

Clagett denied the allegations, stating her concerns were about the safety of female athletes in the sport, not about any specific individual. The situation escalated when VIU filed a formal complaint with PACWEST, leading to an investigation that resulted in Clagett’s suspension and the relocation of the championship game from CBC’s home court to Capilano University.

Things intensified further when CBC players publicly condemned Mackenzie in a letter, accusing her of making “personal attacks,” “defamatory comments,” and “inciting violence” against their coach. They argued that grievances like these should have been taken directly to officials, not aired on social media.

Despite the controversy, VIU had an incredible season, finishing with a 21-1 record and earning their place as conference champions. CBC, meanwhile, settled for a wildcard spot in the national tournament after losing their chance to host the championship.

This ongoing saga underscores the complexities of inclusion in sports, particularly in Canada, where anti-discrimination laws protect the participation of transgender athletes. Since 2017, the Canadian Human Rights Act has prohibited discrimination based on gender identity, ensuring equal opportunities for trans athletes in women’s and girls’ sports.

In stark contrast, the U.S. recently took a different stance with former President Donald Trump’s “No Men in Women’s Sports” executive order, which bans public institutions from allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports under threat of losing federal funding. And just when you thought this topic couldn’t get more charged, Trump even suggested that Canada should join the U.S. as its 51st state. Well, that’s one way to solve a debate, I guess.

As VIU heads to the national stage, the question of fairness, safety, and inclusivity in sports remains a hot-button issue, with no easy resolution in sight.