Arizona State’s internal review of the workout that left hockey player Matthew Mayich on life support has raised as many questions as it answered, according to a report published on Tuesday by The Athletic.
The review, released Tuesday, did not assign responsibility for what happened. Instead, the university promised to create a “blue-ribbon advisory panel” to recommend changes regarding outdoor athletic activities and the use of outside consultants.
According to the report, Arizona State coach Greg Powers’ staff sought permission for former Green Beret Tim Ziesel to speak to the team but did not submit the physical training he planned to conduct for review by the school’s strength and conditioning staff. Ziesel also had no contract with the university for the 3-day “team-building” exercise.
Mayich, a 21-year-old sophomore defenseman who transferred from Clarkson this offseason, collapsed Aug. 20 near the conclusion of the workout. The workout began around 7:15 a.m. and included planks, pushups, sprints and bear crawls in temperatures in the mid-to-high 80s. Players were required to repeat instructions and accurately count their exercises, with those who fell behind or made mistakes reportedly assigned additional exercise.
Witnesses told The Athletic that Mayich appeared disoriented at points before stumbling during a final relay sprint while carrying a medicine ball. A trainer attempted to cool him with water and cold towels before teammates moved him into the shade. Emergency responders arrived shortly afterward and described the situation as a “serious heat emergency.”
Mayich’s family attorney, Rob Carey, said exertional heat stroke deprived Mayich’s brain of oxygen and that doctors do not expect a full recovery. He remains on life support, Carey said.
According to The Athletic, Carey sharply criticized the university’s review, arguing that existing safety policies were not followed and that the report failed to identify who was responsible.
“The family wants to know who didn’t follow the existing protocols and why,” Carey said.
Powers, who as of Tuesday evening has not spoken publicly since Mayich’s hospitalization, is scheduled to address reporters Wednesday during the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s preseason media days.