Matthew Mayich, a 21‑year‑old sophomore defenseman for Arizona State University’s hockey team, was rushed to a hospital on Aug. 20 after collapsing during a high‑intensity outdoor workout. The incident, which occurred during a military‑style session led by a former Green Beret, left the player hospitalized for treatment of heat stroke.
His family’s attorney, Robert Carey, has described the conditions as “horrific,” alleging that Mayich was not given water and that medical personnel were delayed in providing cooling measures, a claim that suggests a “zero chance of recovery.”
The workout, which lasted nearly an hour, involved coaches and training staff and was conducted in open air without apparent shade or hydration stations, raising questions about its alignment with established heat‑illness protocols.
A formal police investigation has been opened, and several teammates have been interviewed, underscoring growing anxiety among the roster about potential scholarship loss and the overall stability of the program.
Safety Protocols and Institutional Response
Arizona State University confirmed that the session included its coaching and training personnel and said it follows heat‑illness guidelines derived from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, though specific details regarding the workout’s adherence to those standards have not yet been released.
The episode has intensified scrutiny of athlete safety practices across collegiate sports, with calls for transparent inquiry and accountability to ensure that future training sessions prioritize player wellbeing over performance demands.