Arizona State University is retaining a former Arizona Supreme Court chief justice to review university policies in the wake of an August team workout that left 21-year-old hockey transfer Matthew Mayich hospitalized and unlikely to recover from heatstroke.
As reported by KJZZ public radio in Phoenix, the student’s family says the university’s response still falls short, while an ASU Police investigation is ongoing. Mayich’s family and teammates have been calling for an independent investigation, saying the university should not investigate itself.
Related: Hockey Coach Placed on Leave as ASU Continues Review of Near-Fatal Practice
ASU senior vice president for educational outreach and student services James Rund announced Friday that Scott Bales will review facts and make recommendations about school policies.
Bales has been asked to review policies including university guidelines for planning and approval of outdoor athletics activities, policies for preparation for and response to adverse events during outdoor athletics activities, and use of outside consultants in strength and conditioning and practice activities.
“Justice Bales will identify and engage participants necessary for a complete and thorough review and may retain additional assistance from others as needed,” Rund’s announcement said, per KJZZ. “ASU student-athletes will be invited to provide information and suggestions, and to ask questions, with options for confidential and anonymized participation.”
In a statement, Mayich family attorney Robert Carey acknowledged Bales as a qualified choice but took issue with a mere review of policies.
“What is necessary, and what the Mayich family has asked for and deserves, is an investigation of what went wrong on that field and who is responsible," Carey said. "Justice Bales has not been asked to answer those fundamental questions.”
Carey said ASU should expand Bales’ mandate to include questions regarding culpability.
“Otherwise, it should appoint a second independent investigator to examine what ASU's employees did and failed to do, and the conduct of whomever they allowed to run the workout that left Matthew Mayich in a hospital bed fighting for his life,” Carey said. “Justice Bales should report to the Board of Regents, not to the office whose own review has missed too much. The findings should be made public.”
