Mike McMahon reacts to ASU’s initial report on the events related to the August 20 off-ice training session that ended in defenseman Matthew Mayich's collapse and subsequent coma, in which he remains.
Great commentary, Mike. Agree on all of the points. The university has lost miserably in the court of public opinion. When the report fails to acknowledge accountability for policies not being followed, all credibility is lost for a self-review. The cynics (myself included in this situation) will suggest that an independent review was avoided by ASU because it would have highlighted failures in following policies and errors that were made along the way. Recommending a panel to come up with more policies misses the mark when the existing policies aren’t being followed.
I actually found the Exertional Heat Illness Policy (Attachment B) to be quite interesting/concerning, First, it is interesting to note that the report keeps referring to them as guidelines and labels the attachment as such. This implies that they are suggestions. When you actually open the PDF, every page is clearly labeled “Policy” implying that these are actually intended as requirements. It would seem that a review that took over a month to complete would be able to go point by point through the policy and evaluate which parts were followed and which were not. There are several components that appear to have not been followed or I suspect were not followed based on updated reporting:
1. All coaches and athletes will be provided with educational material on heat related illnesses during a pre-season educational session on a yearly basis.
2. In accordance with NATA Position Statement on Exertional Heat Illness, individuals should be acclimatized to the heat gradually over 7-14 days. Each exposure should gradually increase the intensity and duration of activity.
3. Have a cold tub half-filled with water and prepared before event so that it can be used immediately if necessary.
*#2 will be debated but going from 15 minute outdoor exercises to a 60-75 minute outdoor exercise on day 8 is not exactly gradual.
Overall, I would also emphasize the point that you have highlighted repeatedly - among all of this analysis and news coverage, we cannot lose the very real human being fighting for his life at the center of all of this. As a hockey community, we are all hoping and praying for Matthew.
Great commentary, Mike. Agree on all of the points. The university has lost miserably in the court of public opinion. When the report fails to acknowledge accountability for policies not being followed, all credibility is lost for a self-review. The cynics (myself included in this situation) will suggest that an independent review was avoided by ASU because it would have highlighted failures in following policies and errors that were made along the way. Recommending a panel to come up with more policies misses the mark when the existing policies aren’t being followed.
I actually found the Exertional Heat Illness Policy (Attachment B) to be quite interesting/concerning, First, it is interesting to note that the report keeps referring to them as guidelines and labels the attachment as such. This implies that they are suggestions. When you actually open the PDF, every page is clearly labeled “Policy” implying that these are actually intended as requirements. It would seem that a review that took over a month to complete would be able to go point by point through the policy and evaluate which parts were followed and which were not. There are several components that appear to have not been followed or I suspect were not followed based on updated reporting:
1. All coaches and athletes will be provided with educational material on heat related illnesses during a pre-season educational session on a yearly basis.
2. In accordance with NATA Position Statement on Exertional Heat Illness, individuals should be acclimatized to the heat gradually over 7-14 days. Each exposure should gradually increase the intensity and duration of activity.
3. Have a cold tub half-filled with water and prepared before event so that it can be used immediately if necessary.
*#2 will be debated but going from 15 minute outdoor exercises to a 60-75 minute outdoor exercise on day 8 is not exactly gradual.
Overall, I would also emphasize the point that you have highlighted repeatedly - among all of this analysis and news coverage, we cannot lose the very real human being fighting for his life at the center of all of this. As a hockey community, we are all hoping and praying for Matthew.