Matthew Mayich’s family calls ASU hockey head coach Greg Powers’ leave ‘long overdue’

Matthew Mayich’s family says Arizona State’s decision to place hockey coach Greg Powers on paid leave is long overdue.

“They believe that, from the start … the entire coaching staff should have been put on paid leave and an independent investigator brought in,” attorney Rob Carey, who represents the family, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.

ASU placed Powers on leave Wednesday, more than a month after Mayich collapsed during an outdoor workout on Aug. 20. The 21-year-old hockey player remains hospitalized and on life support.

“Here we are now, six weeks later, and we have the head coach put on administrative leave, and that’s a step,” Carey said. “They’re disturbed by how ASU’s handled this generally.”

He said Mayich’s family believes this is an opportunity for ASU leaders to demonstrate integrity.

“This is a teachable moment for a university, and for leaders of the team, to do the right thing and … show these impressionable kids how you handle errors and tragedies,” Carey said. “I would say they’re sorely disappointed in how the leadership of Arizona State has handled these issues.”

This came after ASU hockey players sent an anonymous letter

Powers’ leave came two days after seven ASU hockey players anonymously submitted a 26-page report to the university’s president, alleging safety policies were ignored during the workout in which Mayich collapsed.

Submitted through Phoenix attorney Tim Casey, the report disputes an internal review released a week earlier by ASU Senior Vice President James Rund. The players called for the coaching staff to be replaced while an independent investigation takes place.

But Carey said Powers’ leave has not eased the players’ fears about speaking out openly.

“One of the coaches still there is the head coach’s best friend for the last decade. Not just work friend. Personal friend,” Carey said. “So, the players are still wary, a little afraid, and definitely are not going to feel like they can speak out in a truthful and honest way because their playing time or scholarships might be affected.”

Lawyer criticizes timing of ASU hockey head coach’s paid leave

With the season opener set for Friday, assistant coach Mike Corbett will lead the team this weekend while ASU selects an interim head coach.

ASU said the decision to place Greg Powers on paid administrative leave followed thoughtful deliberation. But Carey criticized the timing.

“Doing it a day or two before the players get on a plane for their first game is just not well thought out because they should have done it in August because it is going to create disruption, and it has created disruption,” Carey said. “There’s strife inside the locker room, and that didn’t need to happen.”

Lawyer for Matthew Mayich’s family says he’s talked with county attorney

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