Arizona State hockey coach Greg Powers placed on paid leave after player's collapse, September 30

Arizona State hockey coach Greg Powers was placed on paid administrative leave on September 30, three days before the season opener, following the August 20 collapse of 21-year-old sophomore Matthew Mayich during an outdoor workout in 89-degree heat. The workout lacked a cold water tub, which is commonly used to treat overheating. A Green Beret named Tim Ziesel, who did not have a contract with the university, was in charge of the practice. ASU Athletic Director Graham Rossini announced the leave in a statement carried by Front Office Sports: "Our focus continues to be on Matthew (Mayich) 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. 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." Powers, who has led the program since 2008 through all 12 seasons of Division I competition, signed a five-year contract extension through 2030 in 2025, endowed by boosters Mike and Nancy Friend, creating the Greg Powers Endowed Men's Hockey Head Coach, the athletic department's first head-coaching endowment. In his own statement, Powers said: "I support the University's decision to place me on administrative leave while the circumstances surrounding the August 20 workout are reviewed. I believe this will allow the review to proceed thoroughly, independently and without distraction. I intend to cooperate fully and want a process that Matthew, our players, their families and the broader ASU community can have confidence in. I respect our players' right to speak openly and honestly about their experiences, and I want every player to feel completely free to participate candidly in the review." The decision to place Powers on leave followed escalating pressure. Seven anonymous rostered ASU players sent a 26-page letter on Monday to university president Michael Crow disputing the school's preliminary report released September 21 and calling for coaches to be placed on leave while an outside investigation is conducted. The players sent the letter through a lawyer due to fear of retaliation from coaches for speaking out. Mayich's parents, John and Christina Mayich, agreed in a statement Tuesday that the coaching staff should be placed on leave. Family attorney Rob Carey asserted in a release that the action falls short, stating: "Putting Powers on leave while his best friend of the last decade stays in charge of the locker room doesn't solve the problem." Assistant coach Mike Corbett will coach the Sun Devils in their season opener Friday against Lindenwood. Despite Powers' leave, no independent investigation has been launched. The Arizona State Police Department is conducting an internal investigation, and the Maricopa County Attorney said Tuesday she will not take over the inquiry. Two Arizona state Republican lawmakers, Education Committee chairs Matthew Gress and Hildy Angius, sent a letter Monday to Arizona Board of Regents chairman Doug Goodyear requesting he retain an independent investigator, with an October 9 deadline for response. Gress stated per Front Office Sports: "These seven athletes have real fear of giving their side of the story because of potential retaliation. It shouldn't be like that, and it does raise some culture questions about the team that an independent investigator might address. Whoever is at fault, at a minimum, needs to be terminated from the university, that goes without question." U.S. Senator Mark Kelly issued a statement to Front Office Sports stating "there must be a full, independent investigation so that no athlete faces this again." Senator Ruben Gallego echoed in a statement: "Matthew Mayich and his family deserve answers." On Tuesday, team members met with Rossini and held a practice without coaches present. Players are expected to meet with school staff individually. The National Collegiate Hockey Conference issued a statement: "The concerns raised by student-athletes deserve to be heard and thoroughly reviewed. We will not prejudge the findings of that review. The NCHC supports Arizona State University's decision to place head coach Greg Powers on leave while the circumstances surrounding Matthew Mayich's trauma are examined. Our thoughts remain with Matthew, his family and teammates." Mayich is a St. Louis Blues prospect, according to Carey, and was a first-year transfer.