Monster Found in Weight Room

By Richard Dye · The Mainstream
Published November 16, 2011

Students and staff members looking for massive jolts of energy can now find refrigerated Monster energy drinks and Vidration beverages in the P.E. Building.

Two new Monster refrigerators are located in the fitness center and in the basketball court’s lobby. Students must purchase a punch card from the physical education department secretary in the PE complex to buy the energy drinks because no cashier is available in the fitness center.

The two Monster refrigerators plus ten cases of monster beverages were donated to the athletic department by the Hansen Corporation which owns Monster Energy.

“The weight room will receive 100 percent of the profits from the first ten cases,” said Athletic Director Cheryl Yoder.

 This is not the first time the athletic department has had help from sponsors. Last year, Hansen helped sponsor the athletic department’s golf tournament and auction. After recent funding losses, the athletic department has turned to corporate sponsorship and fundraising activities as a means of filling the financial gap.

 “More long term corporate sponsorships are desired to help fund the needs of the athletic department,” said Yoder.

Some of the money from the sales will help fund fitness center equipment which runs around $5,000 to $10,000 per machine.

Students and staff have had different reactions concerning the availability of caffeinated energy drinks.

“I would like to have seen healthier choices placed in the refrigerators,” said one UCC staff member.

A student who asked that her name not be used said, “It’s kind of odd having energy drinks in the weight room, but I have seen soda machines in gyms before.”

Another fitness student, Agustin Martinez, said, “I don’t see a problem with it; it’s a good way for them to make money.”

Although the energy drinks contain 160 milligrams of caffeine in a 16 ounce can. Monster energy drinks also contain four different B vitamins and a host of other vitamins that the body consumes during intense physical activities. Boyd Bergeson of LiveStrong.com writes, “Vitamin B-2, also known as riboflavin, helps the body produce energy and affects the enzymes that play a role in muscle, nerve and heart regulation.”

Yoder has plans of offering more healthy options in the refrigerators in the future for those wishing to avoid caffeine or calories. She would like to be able to include more whey protein style drinks as a part of the fundraising effort.

“Monster is planning to demo their new whey protein drinks in our refrigerators,” said Yoder.

In spite of controversy surrounding the use of energy drinks, they are currently providing much needed financial support to the fitness center.