Arizona State University has placed men’s hockey coach Greg Powers on paid administrative leave following an August 20 outdoor workout that left sophomore defenseman Matthew Mayich hospitalized on life support. The decision arrives as investigators, family attorneys, and anonymous players dispute the safety protocols and oversight during the grueling conditioning session.
Assistant coach Mike Corbett will step in to lead the team for its season-opening weekend against Lindenwood University, with an interim head coach expected to be named soon, according to athletic director Graham Rossini.
Powers released a statement supporting the decision to step aside temporarily. I believe this will allow the review to proceed thoroughly, independently and without distraction,
he said, adding that he intends to cooperate fully with investigators examining the events of August 20.
Powers will not join the team for its season opener at Lindenwood on Friday in the wake of the Aug. 20 collapse of defenseman Matthew Mayich. On Thursday, ASU athletic director Graham Rossini announced that Powers — who has led the program since it debuted at the D-1 level for the 2015-16 season — had been placed on leave the previous day.
Arizona State University hockey coach put on leave after
ASU athletic director Graham Rossini said in the statement, “We have continued to collect as much information as possible.” Rossini also stated, “After thorough and careful deliberation, I believe this is the best move to provide stability for the hockey program.” Rossini said the university remained focused on Mayich and his family and on ensuring players had support as the season began. In a prepared statement, Powers said he supported the decision to be put on administrative leave and wanted his former players to speak openly and honestly about their experiences.
Powers added, I will support them from a distance while the facts are carefully examined and the process moves forward.
During a previous question-and-answer session with members of the media on Sept. 23, Powers would not say whether he or anyone else should be held accountable for what happened to Mayich. The removal of Powers came two days after seven ASU hockey players, who were on the field during the near-fatal workout that left Mayich on life support, accused the university of hiding the truth about it. Through an attorney, the players said the narrative of events put out by coaches, staff and administrators did not reflect the cruelty and incompetency
of what happened before, during and after the workout.
The August 20 Workout and Disputed Timeline
The incident unfolded during an early morning session on the first day the NCAA allows official activities. Matthew Mayich, a 21-year-old sophomore from Ontario, Canada and a St. Louis Blues prospect, collapsed during a workout on Aug. 20. The workout was led by a guest instructor who was reportedly not properly vetted by the university.
Coach Greg Powers on paid leave after ASU hockey
According to a report from the school about the incident, Mayich was taking part in a “wind-down” exercise that involved running with a medicine ball at one of the school’s outdoor facilities when he collapsed. The high temperature that day was over 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service, although the school said the workout took place when the temperature ranged from 86 to 89 degrees. The report noted, When running, Matthew appeared to struggle, and then in rapid succession stumbled, dropped the medicine ball, and fell to the ground. He attempted to get up and resume running but fell to his knees.
Mayich was told to stay down by players and coaches and an athletic trainer tried to use iced towels and cold water to cool him down. The school said Mayich was initially responsive but that his condition deteriorated.
Robert Carey, an attorney for the Mayich family, has said he is unlikely to recover,
according to CBS affiliate KPHO-TV. He suffered from external heat stroke that reduced flow of oxygen to his brain.
Player Letter and Allegations of Safety Failures
The university’s initial findings have faced fierce pushback. Powers’ leave comes just days after seven members of the Sun Devil hockey program released a letter through an attorney that disputed certain findings of the school’s initial review into the incident.
Arizona State places hockey coach Greg Powers on administrative
Demands for Broader Staff Removal and Independent Oversight
Mayich’s parents, John and Christina, had previously called for the coaches who ran the workout to be put on leave. Arizona’s House and Senate education committee chairs also called for an independent investigation of Arizona State’s hockey workout after reading a letter from the players.
The Arizona State police department is investigating the incident, and a report will be sent to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for independent review when completed.
