On August 20, 21‑year‑old Hamilton‑born hockey player Matthew Mayich collapsed from heat‑related illness while training outdoors at Arizona State University’s Sun Angel Stadium. He remains hospitalized.

ASU responded by hiring former Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Scott Bales to lead an independent review. The review is meant to recommend safety policies for outdoor athletics.

Rob Carey, the lawyer for the Mayich family, said the review “will not answer who is responsible” for the incident, arguing that a policy‑focused study does not meet the family’s demand for accountability.

University records show the hockey coaches did not submit a training plan for trainer approval before the workout, and head coach Greg Powers was subsequently placed on paid administrative leave.

Bales’s review will examine planning, staffing and response procedures for outdoor sports, and ASU expects a final report by early December.

The family’s reaction highlights a growing tension: institutions often prioritize procedural reforms, while athletes’ relatives seek clear answers about negligence and responsibility after a health crisis.