Heat‑Illness Risks: Why Matthew Mayich Collapsed During an ASU Hockey Workout

On August 20, Matthew Mayich, 21, fell unconscious during an outdoor workout with the Arizona State University hockey team. The incident happened in the early morning and he was later hospitalized in critical condition.

The session was described as “military‑style,” with players doing push‑ups, running laps and carrying medicine balls across the field. It took place in overwhelming heat, and water was not offered to the athletes.

Leonard Aragon, the family’s lawyer, said Mayich suffered heatstroke. He added that ASU ignored its own heat‑illness protocols, such as monitoring players for signs of overheating and providing a cool‑down tub for those in distress.

About 25 other players were present at the workout, according to John Mayich, Matthew’s father. None of them reported receiving water or any immediate medical assistance during the session.

The Professional Hockey Players’ Association responded by urging stronger protections for young athletes, warning that pressure to endure pain can lead to dangerous situations like this one.

The collapse highlights how unsafe training conditions—extreme heat, lack of hydration, and ignored safety guidelines—can quickly turn a routine practice into a life‑threatening emergency.

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