TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — The parents of a hockey player who collapsed during a workout at Arizona State University last month are calling for the coaches to be removed amid the investigation.
Matthew Mayich, a sophomore defenseman from Ontario, Canada, collapsed on Aug. 20 during an outdoor workout in Tempe. Mayich is still in the hospital and unlikely to fully recover, according to his family’s attorney.
In a statement provided on Tuesday through their attorney, Mayich’s parents wanted to clarify their stance on the team and its staff. John and Christina Mayich hope the team has a great season, but want the coaches involved in the Aug. 20 workout removed during the investigation over concerns of possible retaliation.
The full statement is below:
The statement comes a day after seven anonymous players sent a letter to ASU President Michael Crow challenging the university’s report on what happened the day Mayich collapsed.
The players’ letter claims former Green Beret Timothy Ziesel, who led the workout, was brought in with no background check or safety certifications. It was originally described as a team-building exercise, but in reality it was a “military-style conditioning session,” players said.
The anonymous players reported that the only water break given lasted seconds, and only eight players got water. Mayich reportedly was not among them.
They said the workout continued even when some began falling to their knees and vomiting.
Like Mayich’s parents, the players are calling for the coaching staff to be placed on leave. They also asked that the investigation be turned over to an outside agency.
Trainer’s attorney pushes back on players’ account
But Ziesel’s attorney is pushing back on players’ accounts of the workout.
Attorney Buddy Rake says no players vomited or were denied water. He said that Ziesel couldn’t have denied water to players since “he didn’t determine water breaks.” He added that water breaks were determined by coaching staff and based on the university’s hydration policy.
“The workout was not punishing unless you consider flutter kicks, pushups, planks, and sprints punishing,” Rake said in an emailed statement to Arizona’s Family. “Have you ever seen a D1 preseason workout?”
Rake explained that ASU’s hydration policy requires trainers to supervise pre-hydration requirements. Before exercise, he said ASU athletes under supervision are required to hydrate at least four hours prior and drink 8 to 12 fluid ounces about 10 to 15 minutes before starting the exercise.
The lawyer added that he has emails from a coach stating that Mayich didn’t show signs of struggle until after Ziesel left. During the workout, there were six coaches and trainers present, according to Rake.
“As Tim’s [Ziesel’s] attorney, I continue to be of the opinion that the family and parents of Matthew receive complete transparency. Instead of focusing on a non-existent hard workout, the focus should be on how could this happen during a workout that was not as hard as an average D1 conditioning program,” Rake said.
“There is not a definition of a military workout,” he added.
Rake claimed that Mayich’s case went off track by “trying to find blame before facts were known.” In his emailed statement, he listed questions about the case, including:
- What qualifies as a “military-style” workout?
- What conditioning was actually provided?
- Was water available and would it have made a difference?
- What was the temperature in Canada where Matthew was training beforehand?
- What kind of physical condition was Mayich in when he arrived in Arizona?
- What activities did Mayich participate in leading up to the incident?
ASU police are investigating the circumstances of the workout. They will submit their report to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review.
ASU hockey is scheduled to open its season on Oct. 2 at Lindenwood University in Missouri.
The mental toll
Sports psychologist Adam Berry said the team faces a difficult mental challenge heading into the game.
“I think it’s really difficult. I think that they’re going to suffer or be suffering from still trauma and grief about what happened to their teammate,” Berry said.
Berry said a crisis like this can affect trust within a team.
“I think that could lead to a complete breakdown of trust with the leadership and the team and I think that can lead to a fear of retribution and retaliation from leadership,” Berry said. “And then that can lead to a complete split within the locker room between the players themselves.”
Fear and hyper-scrutiny
Berry said the scrutiny surrounding the program could add another layer of pressure on players.
“There could also be an element of hyper-scrutiny that they’re feeling as a team. And that can produce a feeling of fear. And fear is the enemy of sporting success,” Berry said.
Berry said it’s crucial for players, especially those who witnessed their teammate Mayich collapse, to get help and not bury what they’re feeling.
“It can cause anxiety and stress and a fight-or-flight response. So, yes, trauma can be a tremendous and negative force,” Berry said.
How it could show up on the ice
Berry said the trauma and uncertainty could affect how players perform Friday night.
“When the best teams play, they’re not thinking, they’re just doing. And perhaps you might see overthinking, overanalyzing, and not just playing naturally. And hopefully that won’t be the case, but it might,” Berry said.
Berry said athletes who go through something this traumatic need support now, because even if they bury it in the short term, that pain can resurface later and affect their mental health and their play down the road.
Arizona Board of Regents responds
On Tuesday, the Arizona Board of Regents responded to the incident, saying questions raised are serious and deserve answers.
The Board will receive legal advice on the matter in an executive session at its meeting on Thursday.
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