ASU Hockey Coach Greg Powers Placed on Leave After Player Collapses During Workout

Arizona State University placed men’s hockey coach Greg Powers on administrative leave on Wednesday as the institution investigates the Aug. 20 collapse of defenseman Matthew Mayich during an outdoor workout. Powers will not travel with the team for its season opener against Lindenwood according to statements from athletic director Graham Rossini and the Associated Press.

The 21-year-old Mayich collapsed on the first day of official NCAA activities after enduring a 75-minute outdoor workout in Tempe. Family attorney Rob Carey stated that Mayich suffered from exertional heat stroke that restricted oxygen flow to his brain, leaving him unlikely to recover. Assistant coach Mike Corbett will step in to lead the program against Lindenwood while the university searches for an interim head coach.

Investigation and Police Involvement

The Arizona State Police Department has launched an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding the August workout. Once completed, investigators will forward their findings to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for an independent legal review. Athletic director Graham Rossini emphasized in a public statement that leadership gathered as much information as possible before making the decision to sideline Powers to establish stability for the hockey program.

Greg Powers released a statement supporting the university’s decision, noting that his absence will allow the review to proceed independently and without distraction.

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,

Greg Powers

Powers added that he intends to cooperate fully with investigators and respects his players’ rights to speak openly about their experiences.

Player Allegations and Demands for Leave

Pressure mounted on the administration earlier in the week when seven hockey players submitted an anonymous letter through an attorney to university President Michael Crow on Monday. The players demanded that all coaches present during the Aug. 20 workout be placed on administrative leave during an independent investigation. The letter cited discrepancies in an initial internal probe conducted by Arizona State University.

According to the players’ correspondence, multiple safety guidelines outlined in the university’s exertional heat policy were ignored. The letter alleged that the session involved continuous exertion without progressive acclimatization to local temperatures, lacked frequent rest periods, and restricted fluid access. The players claimed that only those who performed well in the drill were allowed a water break, and that Mayich was denied hydration. The players also stated that Powers minimized Mayich's symptoms at the time, describing the incident as "just a little heat stroke" before practice the following day.

The players shouldn’t have to worry about retaliation from the people they report to every day,

John and Christina Mayich

Matthew Mayich’s parents, John and Christina Mayich, issued a statement on Tuesday endorsing the players’ call for the coaching staff to be temporarily removed. State lawmakers, including the chairs of Arizona’s House and Senate education committees, also reviewed the players’ letter and added their voices to demands for an independent inquiry.

Upcoming Schedule and Conference Response

The National Collegiate Hockey Conference issued a formal statement supporting the university’s decision to sideline Powers while examining the medical trauma experienced by Mayich. Meanwhile, the team prepares for its regular-season debut under assistant coach Mike Corbett.