A Shocking Collapse on the Practice Field
On August 20, a preseason training session at Arizona State turned tragic when Matthew Mayich, a 2023 NHL Draft pick by the St. Louis Blues, collapsed during a military‑style workout. Teammates described a scene of relentless drills that left the young forward gasping for breath before he fell to the ground.
The session was overseen by Tim Ziesel, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer best known for his Green Beret service. He guided the athletes through a regimen of sprints, planks, push‑ups and bear crawls, insisting that anyone who lagged must immediately repeat the exercise. Coaches repeatedly warned the players not to voice any discomfort, reinforcing a culture that prizes endurance over safety.
Intense Regimen Under a Former Green Beret
The workout took place outdoors in mid‑80s temperatures, a factor that initially led staff to suspect heat‑related illness. However, medical personnel quickly determined that Mayich’s collapse stemmed from a cardiac event, not from overheating alone.
Medical Crisis and Ongoing Care
Mayich was rushed to the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, where he remains in a coma and is listed as critical. Doctors have indicated that his heart function is severely compromised, and his long‑term recovery is uncertain. The institute is providing intensive care while the athlete’s family awaits further updates.
The incident has reignited a national debate about the safety of high‑intensity, military‑inspired conditioning in collegiate athletics. Just months earlier, a dozen members of the Tufts University lacrosse team were hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis after a similar workout protocol, underscoring a troubling pattern across campus sports.
Mayich’s draft history adds another layer to the story. Selected 170th overall by the St. Louis Blues, he had previously excelled in the Ontario Hockey League and at Clarkson University before joining the Sun Devils. The university has launched an internal investigation, while the Blues organization has expressed concern and pledged support for his family.
Coaches and sports psychologists warn that the prevailing ‘no pain, no gain’ culture can mask serious health risks, especially when athletes are encouraged to ignore warning signs. As the investigation unfolds, the case may prompt stricter oversight of strength‑and‑conditioning programs across NCAA institutions.