Seven anonymous Arizona State players sent a letter to ASU president Michael M. Crow on Monday asking that head coach Greg Powers be placed on leave while a full, independent investigation is conducted into the Aug. 20 workout during which Matthew Mayich collapsed. Mayich’s family attorney has said he suffered exertional heat stroke.
The letter was sent through the players’ attorney, Timothy J. Casey.
The players said they submitted the letter anonymously because they “fear retaliation from the coaching staff.”
In the letter, the players make the following assertions:
The instructor, Tim Ziesel, was not approved under ASU’s Outside Consultants policy.
The session lasted 75 minutes, not 45 minutes.
Mayich had not been properly acclimatized to the heat.
The Rund report did not include any on-field heat measurement.
Mayich did not receive water during the workout.
Additional exercise was used as punishment.
The session continued after some players showed signs of distress.
Emergency equipment required under university policy was not available on the field.
Regarding access to water, the players’ letter says a water break was offered approximately 35-45 minutes into the session and lasted only seconds. The players also allege that only those who finished the drill first were able to reach the water, which they estimated amounted to approximately eight players.
Here is the players’ version of events, in full:
You can read the entire letter here:
