HASTINGS, Mich. (March 26, 2014) – A volunteer soccer coach from Hastings High School is suspended while Michigan State Police investigate a claim the coach supplied alcohol to students during a party held at his home.
On Monday, Hastings High School Athletic Director Mike Goggins got a call from one of his coaches, where he learned a couple of girls on the soccer team admitted to violating the rules.
Goggins said they were drinking at a party over the weekend. According to school policy, the student athletes would be suspended for 20% of the season.
The athletic director said there were eight or nine students at the party that are also subject to a police investigation. He also said the party was allegedly held under the supervision of a parent for one of the girls on the soccer team.
“The parent that is involved is a volunteer and had been helping us for a couple of years and been a helpful person to the program,” he said.
Michigan State Police said they have an open investigation under the suspicion that the volunteer allowed underage drinking at his house. Goggins said some students took pictures of the party and shared those with others.
“In this case some of it was brought to our attention through social media,” he said.
Goggins said parents of the students at the party were notified and then he had a conversation with the volunteer coach.
“We both agreed that it was in our best interest that we temporarily have him step back and not be associated wit the team in any capacity,” said Goggins.
On Wednesday, the athletic director gathered the soccer team together to inform them about the criminal investigation.
“It’s a teachable moment at this time,” he said. “Obviously at this time some kids made some poor choices and this is an example of where they are paying the consequences for it.”
A spokesperson for Michigan State Police said once the investigation is complete the findings will be handed over to the Barry County Prosecutor’s office. We attempted to reach the volunteer coach for comment at his home but no one came to the door.
