Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
October 14, 2022; Tempe, Ariz.; ASU head coach Greg Powers watches his team play Colgate during a game at Mullett Arena. Ncaa Hockey Asu Hockey Opening Night At Mullett Arena Colgate At ASU
While Arizona State Hockey player Matthew Mayich remains on life support and in a coma after collapsing during an offseason workout on Aug. 20, the university is still sorting out what to with head coach Greg Powers.
But if it were up to the players, the decision would be easy. Powers reportedly organized the green beret-led workout that caused Mayich to suffer a heat stroke, leading to oxygen deprivation. He is not expected to recover.
While the university initially investigated the matter and came to the conclusion that Powers was not at fault, several players from the Sun Devils’ team are now disputing those findings.
Arizona State Hockey Players Make Serious Allegations Against Gregg Powers
According to a new report from The Athletic, seven ASU players penned a 26-page letter to university president Michael Crow on Monday.
In the letter, players allege that Powers initially downplayed the severiy of Mayich’s condition, stating that he only needed an IV after suffering “just a little heat stroke” and that he had “seen this a million times.”
An ambulance then came to carry Mayich out of Sun Angel Stadium. But rather than show any serious concern for the player, Powers allegedly told his teammates that they were “closer to making the Frozen Four because of the workout and Matthew having pushed himself to the maximum.”
One day later, the players claim that Powers told them he had received “good news” and Mayich would be fine prior to taking the ice for practice.
Now, a pair of Arizona lawmakers are seeking an outside investigation into what happened on the day of the workout, and Powers’ future with the program.
Powers is entering his 17th season at Arizona State and has never made it beyond the first round of the NCAA Tournament.