ASU Investigates Hockey Workout After Player Hospitalization
Arizona State University (ASU) has initiated an investigation following a demanding workout that left hockey player Matthew Mayich incapacitated. Family attorney Rob Carey appeared on ‘Fox & Friends First’ to discuss the incident and call for responsibility from athletic officials.
Seven ASU Sun Devils hockey players have requested in a letter that the university’s president place head coach Greg Powers and his staff on administrative leave. This comes after a workout during which their teammate ended up on life support and in a coma in August.
According to a 26-page letter sent by an attorney on behalf of seven players, they fear retaliation from Powers. They asked ASU president Michael Crow to take action against the head and assistant coaches. The Athletic reported that these players challenge the university’s initial review of the August 20 workout which caused sophomore Matthew Mayich to collapse.
The review states Mayich did not receive adequate hydration and medical attention after collapsing.
The players wrote, “The head coach and his assistant coaches were all on the field on August 20, all remain in their positions… No one has separated us from them since that morning.”
They expressed that they should not have to choose between stating the truth and preserving their athletic future.
The players noted that the challenging workout was led by an ex-U.S. Army Green Beret. An ASU review claimed water was available 20 minutes into the session. However, players contradicted this, stating the break came at 40 minutes into the 75-minute session. They added that the break lasted only seconds and few players drank water.
They described Matthew Mayich’s signs of distress early in the workout. He struggled with both a bear crawl drill and a buddy carry exercise. No staff monitored or assisted him despite these signs.
Upon collapsing, Mayich reportedly remained in intense sunlight for several minutes, contrary to ASU’s report suggesting he sat upright twice. Teammates had to move him to shade.
The players described the attempts to cool Mayich in Arizona’s triple-digit heat with minimal resources like cooler towels, water bottles, and a garden hose. They explained his usual reliance on air-conditioned environments due to the oppressive heat.
ASU head coach Greg Powers refrained from commenting earlier in the month due to the situation’s difficulty. However, the players mentioned that Powers downplayed Mayich’s condition, referring to it as “little heat stroke” while insinuating that the workout brought them closer to reaching the Frozen Four.
The Sun Devils are scheduled to begin their 2026-27 season against Lindenwood. This situation raises questions about student-athlete safety and the responsibilities of coaching staff during training.