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TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State placed hockey coach Greg Powers on administrative leave on Wednesday as the school investigates the collapse of a player during an outdoor workout.
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. Assistant coach Mike Corbett will lead the team against Lindenwood, and an interim coach will be named soon.
“Our focus continues to be on Matthew and his family, and on our student-athletes to make sure they have the support they need during this time and as the season begins,” ASU athletic director Graham Rossini said in a statement. “We have continued to collect as much information as possible. After thorough and careful deliberation, I believe this is the best move to provide stability for the hockey program.”
The 21-year-old Mayich collapsed during an outdoor workout on the first day the NCAA allows official activities. He suffered from external heat stroke that reduced flow of oxygen to his brain and is unlikely to recover, according to family attorney Rob Carey.
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.
“What happened to Matthew has deeply affected everyone in our program, and I continue to hope for strength and healing for him and his family,” Powers said in a statement. “I support the University’s decision to place me on administrative leave while the circumstances surrounding the August 20 workout are reviewed.”
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.
Seven players sent a letter to university President Michael Crow on Monday urging the school to place the coaches involved in the workout on administrative leave until an independent investigation is concluded. The letter also called out discrepancies from an initial probe by the university.
The players sent the letter anonymously through an attorney, fearing retribution from the coaching staff. They said several other players didn’t join the letter out of fear of retribution.
Mayich’s parents, John and Christina Mayich, issued a statement on Tuesday agreeing with the players that the coaching staff should be placed on leave and called from an independent investigation.
Greg Powers