Arizona State University (ASU) has reached a financial settlement with former hockey coach Greg Powers, totalling $1.3 million, following a mutually agreed termination of his contract after a serious incident involving one of the players.
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Powers, who was head coach of the ASU hockey programme, collapsed on August 20 and was later hospitalised, prompting the university to take swift action. Under the terms of the agreement, arranged by both parties, the payout will be made in three instalments over the next five years, with the first payment of approximately £532,000 due this year. The subsequent payments of £399,000 each are scheduled for August 2027 and August 2028.
This settlement represents about 75% of Powers’ remaining contract, which he signed in 2022, and includes bonuses amounting to £85,000 that the university had previously owed him, as reported by The Arizona Republic and 12 News. In addition to the severance payment, Powers will receive remuneration for 176 hours of accrued leave following his paid suspension that commenced in September.
Attorney Pete Mayer, who represents Powers, indicated that the coach’s contract contains clauses that offer protections for both sides. He noted that if Powers had been dismissed without just cause, he would have been entitled to certain compensations. Mayer elaborated on how the contract also delineates conditions under which the university could terminate Powers, particularly citing concerns about conduct affecting the institution’s reputation.
In the wake of the incident involving the player, Matthew Mayich, who collapsed during an outdoor training session, Powers has agreed to assist ASU and its legal representatives with ongoing investigations linked to the event. This cooperation is aimed at providing clarity surrounding the circumstances of Mayich’s medical emergency, which has raised serious concerns about player safety and protocol adherence during training.
Matt Mayich’s family has expressed their discontent with the negotiated agreement between Powers and the university, asserting that their primary concern remains their son’s health and the need for a thorough investigation. In a statement released on 15 October, they voiced dissatisfaction, labelling the settlement as lacking in accountability and demanding that an independent investigation, led by Justice Bales, be expanded to encompass all figures involved on that day.
The family’s statement reflected a deep concern, with a clear call for transparency regarding the events that led to Mayich’s health crisis. They insisted that the investigation should not be limited by the recent departure of Coach Powers, and they pledged support for the players who had raised their voices regarding the incident.
Furthermore, they extended their best wishes to the new coaching staff and players for the season ahead, demonstrating a dual focus on both their son’s recovery and on the future of ASU’s hockey programme.
The development follows significant scrutiny not only of the programme’s management but also of the protocols in place to ensure player safety during physical training sessions. Such incidents have heightened awareness regarding the responsibilities of educational institutions in safeguarding student-athletes and maintaining ethical standards in sporting conduct.
With the departure of Powers, ASU is likely to reassess its approach to coaching and player welfare, which will be closely monitored by both the university community and the wider public, especially given the current climate of scrutiny surrounding collegiate sports and player care.