Arizona State University announced it has commissioned an independent review to issue recommendations on safely conducting outdoor athlete training and responding to adverse health events. However, a lawyer representing the family of 21-year-old Matthew Mayich stated the review falls short because it fails to address accountability or determine responsibility for what happened. Mayich, a Hamilton-born hockey player drafted by the NHL’s St. Louis Blues in 2023, collapsed during an early-morning outdoor workout at Sun Angel Stadium on August 20. An initial internal review by ASU official James Rund indicated that the team’s coaches did not submit a training plan for review by trainers prior to the session. Mayich remains hospitalized, with family lawyers stating he suffered heatstroke. In an October 2 communication, ASU announced that former Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Scott Bales will lead an independent review focused on policies, outdoor activity planning, and emergency response procedures. The review invites confidential participation from student-athletes and is requested to conclude by early December. Rob Carey, a lawyer for the Mayich family, acknowledged Bales as a respected choice but emphasized that the review addresses future policy rather than investigating past actions. The family maintains that ASU must answer fundamental questions regarding why the workout continued despite players showing visible distress and which rules were violated. Following an anonymous letter from teammates detailing concerns over the training conditions and water access, ASU placed head coach Greg Powers on paid administrative leave and appointed assistant coach Mike Corbett to lead the team. Arizona State University did not respond to requests for comment regarding the family’s latest concerns.
Source: cbc.ca
