Matthew Mayich collapse prompts ASU to hire ex‑chief justice for outside review

Arizona State University has turned to a former chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court to conduct an independent review of the off‑season workout in which hockey player Matthew Mayich collapsed in August, on the first day the NCAA allows official team activities.

In a memo to school president Michael Crow, senior vice‑president James Rund said Scott Bales will examine Arizona State’s internal findings along with information supplied by lawyers for the Mayich family, attorneys representing members of the hockey team and law‑enforcement agencies.

Scope of Bales’ mandate and ASU’s priorities

Bales has been asked to make recommendations on how outdoor athletic sessions are planned, approved, staffed and managed, including policies and procedures intended to protect athletes. His review will also look at how outside consultants are used in strength and conditioning work. The university has requested that his report be completed by early December.

Mayich, 21, suffered exertional heat stroke during the August session, cutting off oxygen to his brain, and is unlikely to recover, according to family lawyer Rob Carey. A preliminary report from Arizona State noted that the hockey staff sought permission for Timothy Ziesel, a former Green Beret, to address the team during a three‑day team‑building event, but did not provide a detailed training plan to the school’s strength and conditioning staff beforehand.

Family pushes for deeper probe into decisions and accountability

Through Carey, parents John and Christina Mayich said they are encouraged by the choice of Bales but dissatisfied with how narrowly his assignment has been drawn. They want answers about why the workout was approved, why it was not halted when players showed visible distress, what access to water and rest was provided, and which university, conference or NCAA rules may have been violated.

In their statement, the family argued that Arizona State has focused Bales on policy fixes for the future rather than a full reconstruction of what happened and who is responsible. They pointed to the 2018 case of Maryland football player Jordan McNair, who died after a workout and whose death was examined by outside investigators reporting to the Maryland Board of Regents in a report that was made public.

The Mayich family is urging that Bales report to the Arizona Board of Regents instead of to the same office that conducted the school’s initial review. They are also calling for the authority to bring in specialized firms that reconstruct exertional heat stroke events and assess emergency preparedness, or for a second independent investigator to focus specifically on the actions of Arizona State employees and the person who oversaw the workout.

Hockey coach on leave as players and parents speak out

As the broader inquiry unfolds, Arizona State placed men’s hockey coach Greg Powers on paid administrative leave on Wednesday, confirming he will not be behind the bench for Friday’s season opener at Lindenwood. Athletic director Graham Rossini said the school continues to gather information and described the move as the best way to support the hockey program and its players during a difficult period.

Earlier in the week, seven players sent an anonymous letter through an attorney to president Crow, asking that coaches involved in the August workout be put on leave until an independent investigation is completed. Some teammates declined to sign because they feared reprisals from the staff. John and Christina Mayich issued their own statement on Tuesday aligning with the players’ request, saying the coaching staff should be removed from day‑to‑day duties while the independent review and other investigations proceed.