Attorneys Say Arizona State Hockey Head Coach Administrative Leave Isn’t Enough
They also renewed their calls for an independent investigation.
The family of Arizona State men's hockey player Matthew Mayich, along with seven anonymous teammates, has accused the university of not doing enough in response to a severe injury. Sophomore defenseman Mayich lost consciousness during a preseason workout on August 20, and remains on life support. ASU Vice President James Rund released a preliminary report on September 21, but seven rostered players sent a letter to a lawyer disputing the school's account of the workout conditions and Mayich's care.
The players, fearful of retribution, withheld their names. The players' attorney, Tim Casey, stated that discrepancies in the report led to the anonymous letter, as the players felt the account was incomplete and untruthful. After public pressure, ASU placed head coach Greg Powers on paid administrative leave, while the program is now led by assistant coach Mike Corbett.
The attorneys argue that the entire coaching staff should also be placed on leave, as they believe the staff has created an environment where players cannot speak truthfully without risking their scholarships or playing time. They also call for an independent investigation, one they and Arizona politicians have been advocating for, while currently, the ASU police department is handling the inquiry.
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