Medical officials said Mayich suffered exertional heatstroke, a condition that cuts off oxygen to the brain; a BMJ Medicine report notes that exertional heatstroke is the third leading cause of death among athletes and carries roughly a 27 % mortality rate.

Lawyer Rob Carey, representing Mayich’s family, alleges the session was a "military‑style, brutal, grueling" workout that lasted more than an hour with no breaks and no water provided to the players.

Carey also said that when Mayich fell, no one immediately immersed him in cool water, which goes against best‑practice treatment for heatstroke; ASU has launched a review, led by Vice‑President James Rund, to examine the workout and related university policies.

The incident highlights two key safety lessons: athletes need regular hydration and rest breaks during intense heat, and emergency responders must apply rapid cooling techniques the moment heatstroke symptoms appear.