ASU hockey players seek outside probe of teammate’s collapse

Seven Arizona State hockey players have asked university President Michael Crow to place the coaching staff on administrative leave while an independent investigation examines teammate Matthew Mayich’s collapse during an August 20 workout. In a letter sent September 28 through attorney Timothy Casey, the players dispute parts of the university’s initial review and allege that Mayich showed distress before collapsing and did not receive adequate water or cooling. The allegations have not been independently established. Arizona State is conducting its own investigation, and the supplied accounts do not include its full underlying review or a completed independent inquiry. The players’ letter says the workout lasted about 75 minutes and that Mayich appeared disoriented before the final drill. They also allege he received no water and was not properly cooled after he collapsed. The timing of the workout’s water break is disputed. The players place it 35 to 45 minutes into the session and say only a few players reached the bottles. The university’s initial review, as described in the reporting, placed a break about 20 minutes into the workout.