Arizona State University has put hockey coach Greg Powers on paid leave following the collapse of a player during a workout last month. This decision comes as sophomore Matthew Mayich remains hospitalized, unlikely to recover, according to his family’s attorney, Robert Carey.
Assistant coach Mike Corbett will temporarily take over the coaching duties, with plans for an interim coach to be announced soon. However, the university has not specified the duration of Powers’ leave.
On August 20, 21-year-old Mayich from Ontario, Canada collapsed while participating in a ‘wind-down’ exercise involving a medicine ball at the school’s outdoor facilities. Although the National Weather Service recorded temperatures over 100 degrees, the university claims the incident occurred when temperatures were between 86 and 89 degrees.
The incident report describes Mayich struggling during the run, stumbling and then dropping the medicine ball before falling to the ground. Despite trying to resume running, he soon fell to his knees. Coaches and players urged him to stay down while an athletic trainer attempted cooling measures using iced towels and cold water. Initially responsive, Mayich’s condition worsened.
Mayich’s parents, John and Christina, have criticized the decision to place only Powers on leave. They argue this is insufficient, stating, ‘If ASU won’t remove him, even just to err on the side of player safety, then the interim head coach should have the authority to place on leave anyone posing a risk of retaliation against these players.’
In contrast, seven other players have challenged the school’s version of events. They claim, in a letter to ASU’s president, that the outside consultant overseeing the workout was not properly approved. Allegedly, the workout lasted longer than stated, lacked adequate water breaks, and continued despite visible distress among players. They accuse Tim Ziesel, the consultant involved, of running a grueling ‘military-style’ workout.
Ziesel, responding through his attorney, disputes the accusations, stating that the term ‘military-style workout’ is fabricated. He describes the workout as easy compared to high school varsity routines, emphasizing focus on Mayich’s family during this trying time.
Players allege insufficient cooling measures, where Mayich was left in the sun with minimal cooling resources like a small cooler with few Powerade towels, inadequate squirt bottles, and eventually a garden hose with warm water.
Students have requested the staff involved be placed on leave pending an independent investigation. Meanwhile, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that ASU Police Department is investigating the incident, ensuring a thorough review once the probe concludes.