You Won’t Believe What We Found in the Basement
This past July, a dedicated group of supporters, club staff and family took that commitment to another level.
As preparations were underway for the transformation of the former Southwest Detroit Hospital into the future AlumniFi Field, a surprising discovery was made: The vacant building’s basement was home to a school of koi living in, to put it kindly, less-than-clean water.
With demolition on the horizon, the clock was ticking. Members of the Northern Guard Supporters, along with DCFC co-owner Sean Mann and his kids, went to work armed with drywall buckets and determination. While some of the water was too deep to safely reach every fish, the group managed to scoop out approximately 75 koi.
A Team Effort
None of this would have happened without the incredible coordination of Jared Coke. Jared was the engine behind the logistics, finding a safe haven for the fish, which led to a partnership with the experts at Grass Roots Pond and Garden in New Boston.
Because the basement water was unclean, the fish were not in the best shape. The Grass Roots team provided emergency rehab, quarantining and treating the fish, getting them into clean water and ensuring they were properly fed.
Finding Forever Homes (and City Names)
Once the fish were healthy and thriving, Grass Roots made them available for adoption to any DCFC supporters who wanted to give them a home.
Longtime supporter Joe Novak’s family brought home 10 of the rescued koi, where they are currently thriving. Any fish not claimed by supporters have since been rehomed to families across the region.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a DCFC story without the right names. Some of our new aquatic supporters have been dubbed with legendary monikers like:
