Stories / Student Safety
Players' letter, then the exit: ASU hockey coach Greg Powers is out
Head coach Greg Powers is now ASU's former hockey coach. ASU placed him on paid administrative leave Sept. 30, two days after seven players sent President Michael Crow a 26-page letter through an attorney asking for the staff behind the Aug. 20 workout to be removed pending an independent investigation. ASU is reportedly in talks to hire former NHL head coach Dave Hakstol.
The players' letter disputes ASU's preliminary report. They say Mayich never received water and water was limited to one brief break; that the workout was punishment-driven; that he showed distress earlier than the report states; that medical staff did not follow heatstroke protocol; and that Powers called it "just a little heat stroke." They say the report's weather data came from a station about a mile away. They also asked for protection from retaliation, saying coaches control playing time and scholarships. On Oct. 3 the family's lawyer asked ASU what happened to Powers' phone, which he reportedly replaced, citing death threats.
ASU's side / contextASU acknowledged receiving the letter but has not publicly explained Powers' departure; it did not respond to The Arizona Republic. When placed on leave, Powers said he supported the review. The family says it still wants answers and accountability.
