ASU hockey head coach Greg Powers has been placed on paid administrative leave after a team workout hospitalized student-athlete Matthew Mayich, according to a statement from the ASU.
Mayich collapsed during a team workout Aug. 20 and has been hospitalized since. He suffered exertional heat stroke, and according to his family's lawyers, he has "no chance of recovery."
READ MORE: ASU hockey to play 2026-27 season despite Matthew Mayich's condition
Assistant coach Mike Corbett will lead the team for the season opener Friday against Lindenwood, and the University will name an interim coach soon, according to the statement.
"Our focus continues to be on Matthew and his family, and on our student-athletes to make sure they have the support they need during this time and as the season begins," ASU Athletics Director Graham Rossini said in a statement. "We have continued to collect as much information as possible. After thorough and careful deliberation, I believe this is the best move to provide stability for the hockey program."
The University's action comes after seven hockey players came forward in an anonymous letter Monday sent to ASU President Michael Crow that disputed Vice President James Rund's report of the investigation. The players shared their perspective on the events of Aug. 20 and asked for all coaching staff involved to be put on leave.
READ MORE: ASU hockey players dispute University's review of Matthew Mayich's hospitalization
The Mayich family issued a statement the day after the letter was released, asking for an independent investigation into the workout and that all coaching staff be removed.
"Nobody should keep quiet about what they think should happen because they believe that's what we want. It isn't. If anyone wants to know what we want, ask us," the Mayich family said. "We want the truth, and we want it done in a way that lets the boys focus on hockey instead of wondering whether their coaches think they talked."
This story is developing and may be updated.
Edited by Alan Deutschendorf III, Kate Gore and Senna James.
Reach the reporter at aswift10@asu.edu and apruiz@asu.edu and follow @alexswiftsports and @andiruiz2405 on X.
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Andi Ruiz is a politics editor at The State Press. She was formerly a lead politics reporter and anchor at The Cut Network. This is her second semester at The State Press and is committed to bringing credible and accurate information to the ASU community.
