Sports
ASU hockey leadership changes as questions persist over player’s collapse
Arizona State and longtime hockey coach Greg Powers have agreed to part ways while investigations continue into an August outdoor workout in which defenseman Matthew Mayich collapsed. Mayich’s family says he remains hospitalized and will not recover; seven players have raised concerns about water, heat and the response to the emergency.
TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State University and hockey coach Greg Powers have parted ways, the university announced Oct. 16, nearly two months after defenseman Matthew Mayich collapsed during an outdoor team workout. The university described the departure as a mutual agreement but did not discuss two investigations tied to the workout or explain their status.
Mayich remains hospitalized, according to the report. Leonard Aragon, an attorney for Mayich’s family, said the family supports Powers’ departure but believes it should have happened earlier. Aragon also said the university had not told the family why Powers was leaving.
Mayich collapsed during the Aug. 20 workout. In the weeks afterward, his family questioned the practice and the response from coaches and an athletic trainer, alleging that several minutes passed before emergency services were called.
Seven current players later spoke through an attorney, saying they received no water during the workout and that other players were affected by the heat. They said coaches should have intervened sooner and appeared unprepared to respond to the medical emergency. Those claims have not been presented as findings from the ongoing investigations.
Powers was placed on paid administrative leave after the players came forward. About two weeks later, ASU named a new head coach. The change comes several weeks into the season, a timing that podcast host Brad Denny described as unusual. Denny said Powers had been closely identified with the program for years and noted that a new coach would also bring in a staff during the season.
The leadership change leaves the team with a new coach as the university’s investigations continue. ASU’s announcement did not say whether their findings would be made public.