Arizona State University (ASU) is undergoing significant upheaval within its hockey programme following a tragic incident that left one of its players, Matthew Mayich, in critical condition. On 30 September 2023, the university announced that head coach Greg Powers had been placed on paid administrative leave. The decision comes as concerns about the team’s treatment and training practices mount in the wake of an August incident where Mayich collapsed during a workout.
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The incident in question occurred on 20 August, during an outdoor, military-style training session at ASU, coinciding with a period of extreme heat. According to reports from lawyers representing Mayich’s family, the player suffered severe heat stroke, resulting in a loss of oxygen to his brain. Currently, the family has announced that there is “zero chance of recovery,” highlighting the severity of the situation.
The move to put Powers on leave was announced by ASU’s athletics director, Graham Rossini, who stated the university’s primary focus remains on Mayich and his family, as well as the well-being of other student-athletes. Rossini expressed the belief that this decision would help maintain stability within the hockey programme as they head into the new season. Assistant coach Mike Corbett will take charge of the team as they prepare for their season opener against Lindenwood University on 2 October, with an interim head coach to be appointed in the interim period.
Tensions escalated prior to Powers’ leave when a group of seven ASU hockey players submitted a letter to university president Michael Crow. In this letter, they called for the coaching staff to be placed on leave due to concerns about potential retaliation stemming from the incident. The players expressed fears that those responsible for their training might impact their safety and roles within the team moving forward.
In their lengthy, anonymous letter, the players noted that all coaching staff members were present during the fateful workout and had not been separated from the team since. This lack of separation prompted the players’ concerns regarding the dynamics of their relationship with the coaching staff, particularly in light of the ongoing investigation into Mayich’s condition.
Mayich’s parents, John and Christina, have vociferously called for accountability regarding the circumstances surrounding their son’s collapse. They urged the university to take immediate action, stating that the coaching staff must not remain in their positions as an independent investigation is conducted. In their statement, they asserted that the players should not fear retaliation for speaking out and stressed their desire for truth and accountability in the wake of this tragic event.
The parents further expressed their support for the team, insisting they would continue to cheer for the Sun Devils while holding a desire for safety and transparency. They highlighted the tension created by the current coaching situation and insisted that the student-athletes should concentrate on hockey rather than worrying about repercussions from their coaches.
In a recent press conference, Powers was approached regarding Mayich’s collapse. When pressed for information and accountability, he notably resisted elaborating on the details, stating he was “not able to answer questions regarding it in any way.” The coach did acknowledge that he had taken steps toward accountability following the incident, though he did not provide specifics on what those actions entailed.
As the ASU hockey team gears up for the season, the community around the programme is calling for a thorough investigation and resolution to the issues at hand. The loss of a fellow student-athlete weighs heavily on the players, faculty, and supporters, as many hope for a safe environment where such a tragedy will never be repeated.
For now, the focus remains on assisting Matthew Mayich’s family as they navigate this tragic chapter in their lives while also ensuring that current players feel secure and supported during this tumultuous period. The handling of the situation and responses from university officials will be closely monitored by the community and could have lasting implications for the athletics programme at Arizona State University.