More athlete maltreatment allegations surface against Lakehead University's former women's basketball coach

Three more former players with the Lakehead University women's basketball team in Thunder Bay, Ont., have come forward with allegations of maltreatment against its former coach, in what the school's incoming president calls an issue of "great concern." 

Megan Schwartz, a former shooting guard on the 2010 team, and another former player have made similar allegations about on-court maltreatment and wrongdoing involving the work-study program, while a third player says she experienced bullying on-court behaviour at the hands of longtime coach Jon Kreiner. 

"Just because it's normal doesn't mean it's not toxic," Schwartz said. "The whole culture … needs to be changed."

During her time at Lakehead, Schwartz said, she was diagnosed with depression. She said that when she confided in Kreiner about what she was going through, she was made to reveal her condition to her team and tell everyone she was on medication.

Other sources have described similar scenarios where players would be shamed in front of the entire team.

"You can be a tough coach without causing someone emotional harm," said Schwartz, who's from Regina, where she's now coaching a high school team. 

In January, CBC News reported on allegations from 10 people currently or formerly affiliated with Lakehead's women's basketball program. They claim Kreiner's maltreatment of athletes included bullying, kicking basketballs at players and breaking clipboards.

Six of those sources said the university had begun an internal investigation into allegations Kreiner stole thousands of dollars from athletes over at least a decade through the university's work-study program. Five of them said they know senior members in the athletics department were aware of these allegations, but failed to stop the purported theft and protect athletes.

Lakehead University's incoming president, Gillian Siddall, has pledged to learn more when she arrives on campus to take over the role July 1. She's currently president of the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver. 

"I'm aware of that situation," Siddall said in an interview with CBC's Superior Morning, referring to the Lakehead basketball complaints. "I'm not in a position to speak to it. I'm not there. Obviously it's an issue of great concern and I will learn more about it once I'm on the ground." 

She said she'll do a broad review of Lakehead's programming after she starts, and it will include the athletics department, but she did not offer any other comments about the allegations against the team and Kreiner. 

Schwartz also said she was part of the work-study program under investigation by the university. Former athletes in the program have alleged Kreiner stole money from them. 

Thirteen people either currently or formerly connected with the basketball team have spoken with CBC News about what they say were issues with the program.

CBC News requested an interview with Kreiner after the additional athletes came forward. He declined the request, but issued a statement defending his record.