ASU hockey players dispute school review of teammate's collapse - ESPN

Seven Arizona State hockey players and their attorney sent a letter to the university president on Monday disputing ASU's internal review of teammate Matthew Mayich's collapse during an August 20 workout, calling for an independent investigation.

Mayich, who is not expected to recover, allegedly received no water during the session, which the players say was more grueling than reported, and they contend athletic staff were unprepared to handle heat stroke.

The players, who submitted their report anonymously citing fear of retaliation, asked ASU to place all staff responsible for the workout on administrative leave and refer the matter to an outside agency, noting head coach Greg Powers and his assistants remain in positions controlling playing time, scholarships and roster status.

They allege athletes were given extra exercise as "punishment" for finishing behind a cutoff line, a practice against NCAA recommendations, during a session lasting more than 75 minutes, from about 7:05 a.m. until Mayich collapsed around 8:23 a.m.

The players say the workout continued even as some showed distress by dropping to a knee, vomiting, and, in Mayich's case, visible disorientation, and that he was struggling to stand and leaning on a teammate in front of Ziesel, coaches and a trainer before the final task.

ASU's preliminary findings, issued last week, said the coaching staff did not vet the training plan led by former Green Beret Tim Ziesel, who had no contract with the school; the report cited two water breaks, but players insist there was only one brief break and that Mayich never drank. An ASU spokesperson declined to comment.