The Shocking Collapse of Matthew Mayich: A Call for Athlete Safety
The college hockey world is in shock following the critical collapse of Matthew Mayich, a talented defenseman for Arizona State University (ASU) and a St. Louis Blues draft pick. On August 20, during what was meant to be a preparatory outdoor workout, Mayich collapsed, leading to a hospitalization that remains critical. What began as a training session has now spiraled into a heated legal battle over athlete safety and institutional accountability.
A Grueling Workout or Routine Exercise?
The incident occurred on the first day of ASU’s fall semester. According to sources, the workout was a “military-style” session lasting approximately 60 minutes. The regimen included:
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- High-intensity sprints
- Planks and pushups
- Bear crawls
- Strict adherence to repetitive instructions under pressure
Reports indicate that athletes who lagged behind or failed to follow instructions were forced to perform extra exercises. The session was led by Tim Ziesel, a former military member and non-university employee. While Ziesel’s legal representation claims that no Division 1 athlete would find the workout “hard,” the family’s attorney, Rob Carey, describes the session as “grueling, onerous, and dangerous.”
Legal Battles and Allegations of a Cover-Up
Rob Carey, a prominent attorney and former deputy chief attorney general of Arizona, is accusing Arizona State University of mishandling the investigation. Carey alleges that ASU is “circling the wagons” to protect its image rather than seeking the truth. He has called for the coaching staff to be placed on administrative leave to prevent the intimidation of witnesses.
A central point of contention is the terminology used by the university. Athletic director Graham Rossini clarified that the school is conducting a “review” rather than an “investigation.” To the family and their legal team, this distinction feels like a calculated attempt to avoid accountability.
The Role of Extreme Heat and Safety Protocols
Weather data from the day of the incident reveals a perilous environment. At 6:51 a.m. in Tempe, temperatures were already 86°F with 51% humidity. Under such conditions, the National Weather Service typically recommends frequent breaks to prevent heat-related illnesses.
While ASU claims to follow National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) guidelines for heat illness, the reality of the “military-style” pressure applied during the workout raises questions about whether those guidelines were actually implemented on the field.
Why an Independent Investigation is Essential
Rod Walters, a national director of athlete safety, emphasizes that internal reviews often lean toward protecting the institution. Drawing from his experience with past college athlete fatalities, Walters argues that only an independent, third-party investigation can provide the transparency that devastated families and stakeholders deserve.
As Matthew Mayich continues to fight for his life in the hospital, this case serves as a stark reminder of the thin line between “pushing athletes to their limit” and endangering their lives. The outcome of this case could potentially reshape how NCAA programs handle external training consultants and extreme weather protocols.
