Seven Arizona State University ice hockey players have anonymously challenged the university’s account of the outdoor workout in which teammate Matthew Mayich collapsed, calling for the coaching staff to be placed on administrative leave while an independent investigation is carried out.
The players sent a 26-page submission to ASU president Michael Crow through Phoenix lawyer Timothy Casey on Monday, disputing findings in an internal review led by senior vice-president James Rund. They said they feared reprisals because the coaching staff controls playing time, scholarships and roster places.
Mayich, 21, collapsed at Sun Angel Stadium in Tempe on August 20 during a conditioning session led in part by outside instructor Tim Ziesel, a former Green Beret. He was taken to hospital and remains in a critical condition, according to his family’s legal representatives.
The players said the university’s report failed to compare what happened with ASU’s own rules on outside consultants and exertional heat illness, and did not establish who was responsible for following those policies.
Players challenge ASU account of workout
According to the players’ account, the session lasted more than 75 minutes, beginning shortly after 7am and continuing until Mayich collapsed at about 8.23am. This contrasts with the university’s description of a shorter workout, with water breaks available to the team.
They said only one brief water break took place, roughly 35 to 45 minutes into the session, and that Mayich and most of the players did not reach the water. The athletes also alleged that additional exercises were used as punishment when players fell behind or miscounted repetitions.
The submission describes players vomiting, dropping to their knees and becoming disorientated in the Arizona heat. It alleges that Mayich struggled during bear crawls, leaned on a team-mate to remain upright and later stumbled while carrying a medicine ball.
The players further claimed that Ziesel had left the field before the final drill, leaving ASU coaches and the team trainer supervising when Mayich collapsed. They said the required cold-water immersion tub, ice chests and core thermometer were not available at the stadium.
Instead, they described cooling attempts involving squirt bottles, a small number of towels and a short spray from a warm garden hose. They also alleged that Mayich was sat upright twice, contrary to standard first-aid guidance for suspected exertional heat illness.
ASU’s review said the team trainer had water and a cooler containing iced towels, and that Mayich was cooled while emergency services were called. The university has not accepted the players’ version of events.
The review found that the coaching staff had not submitted a written training plan for the session before it took place. It recommended the creation of an expert panel to examine outdoor training, emergency procedures and the use of external consultants, rather than assigning individual blame.
Calls for coaches to step aside
The players have asked Mr Crow to determine in writing whether ASU’s safety policies were breached, suspend those involved in approving, running or supervising the workout, and appoint an interim coaching staff during the investigation.
They suggested that former ASU and National Hockey League players, including Shane Doan, could help oversee the team while the inquiry continued. They also called for whistleblower protections and for the final findings to answer 19 specific questions about the workout, medical response and staff conduct.
The students asked the university to act before the team’s scheduled season opener on October 2, saying they should not have to choose between reporting what they witnessed and protecting their hockey careers.
Mayich’s parents, John and Christina Mayich, said on Tuesday that they supported their son’s team-mates and agreed that the coaches involved should be removed while an independent investigation established what happened.
“We want the truth, and we want it done in a way that lets the boys focus on hockey instead of wondering whether their coaches think they talked,” the family said through their lawyer. They also said they wanted accountability and for Mayich’s team-mates to be safe.
Arizona State police are investigating the circumstances of the August 20 workout. A report is expected to be sent to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for independent review when the police inquiry is complete.
The university has said it has nothing further to add at this stage. Lawyers for Mr Ziesel have rejected the suggestion that the workout was a timed or excessively difficult military-style exercise, and have said water and sports drinks were available on the sideline.
Arizona lawmakers have also called for an independent investigation after reviewing the players’ submission, adding to pressure on ASU as the hockey programme prepares to begin its season.
