JENISON, Mich. -- An investigation is underway to find out if a youth soccer coach secretly gave children a 5 Hour Energy drink to improve performance.
The coach is part of the Michigan Fire Juniors organization based in Hudsonville. The possibility this happened has ignited a controversy in the community; not just about the energy drink allegation, but how the Michigan Fire board of directors is running the organization.
“It started with rumors of a coach putting 5 Hour Energy in some kid's drink and I think that kind of snowballed into just the knowledge the parents of the club were dissatisfied with how the club is being run,” explained parent Lisa Leister.
Michigan Fire Juniors is dealing with board resignations, a $40,000 deficit and questions about board transparency. Unless things change, the Chicago Fire professional soccer team is threatening to end affiliation with the youth group.
“The fundamental issue is that there is only a select few that actually have control of the club,” says parent Nate Adamczyk.
“What needs to happen now is they need to vote to allow the membership to have total control of the club.”
The fee to participate in the Michigan Fire Juniors soccer club ranges from about $500 to $2,000 per child per season.
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