Arizona State has appointed Scott Bales, a former chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, to lead an independent review of the collapse of hockey player Matthew Mayich during an outdoor workout in August.
Mayich, 21, suffered exertional heat stroke that reduced oxygen flow to his brain and is unlikely to recover, according to family attorney Rob Carey. Bales will review ASU's findings and information from attorneys for the Mayich family, team members, and law enforcement, James Rund, ASU senior vice president of educational outreach and student services, said in a memo to university president Michael Crow.
The Arizona State police department is conducting its own investigation, with a report to be sent to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. Bales is tasked with reviewing planning, approval, staffing, policies, and the use of outside consultants in strength and conditioning practices, with a target completion date of early December.
The Mayich family expressed dissatisfaction with the scope of Bales' review, stating it focuses on future prevention rather than accountability for what occurred. They called for an examination of why the workout was allowed and not stopped when players showed visible distress. The family cited the 2018 death of Maryland football player Jordan McNair as a precedent for thorough, independent investigation reporting to the Arizona Board of Regents.
Source: ESPN NHL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing