Independent review into ASU hockey player Matthew Mayich’s collapse expected in December

Arizona state Rep. Matt Gress said he’s encouraged by Arizona State University’s decision to launch an independent review into the circumstances surrounding hockey player Matthew Mayich’s collapse during an Aug. 20 outdoor workout.

Gress, the House Education Committee chairman, said he and Senate Education Committee Chairman Hildy Angius wrote a joint letter calling for that independent investigation and were pleased to learn that former Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Scott Bales will lead the review.

“I hope that as many of the players who were there on Aug. 20 come forward to talk to Chief Justice Bales, tell them what you saw,” Gress told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos on Monday. “I think that will be an important foundation for the report.”

Gress believes the report will be released in December.

What will ASU’s independent review examine?

Bales will conduct an independent review of the workout that led to Mayich’s collapse. The 21-year-old player remains on life support.

According to the university, Bales will examine information gathered by ASU, attorneys representing the Mayich family, attorneys for ASU hockey players and law enforcement before making recommendations on athletic safety policies and procedures.

Additionally, Gress said a letter from the Arizona Board of Regents he received Monday reassured him that the review would examine the events of Aug. 20 and the aftermath, rather than focus solely on future safety measures.

“I feel pretty confident that we’re going to to have that full, robust, broad investigation,” Gress said. “This is all new information, in my view, where we have a confirmation from the regents about the scope of the investigation. … It needs to go where the facts lead them, no holds barred.”

Matt Gress called for independent review after ASU hockey players spoke out

Gress was among several elected officials who had called for an outside review following concerns raised by seven ASU hockey players and the Mayich family’s attorneys about the university’s initial response to the incident.

He said ASU attorneys and the regents should not vet the report.

“I’m going to trust the process right now,” Gress said. “Time will tell as we see how the the investigation unfolds.”

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