​After an Arizona State University (ASU) ice hockey player was hospitalized in critical condition after suffering an external heatstroke on Aug. 20, collegiate athlete safety and protocols in hot weather have been brought into the athletic spotlight.The sophomore defenseman and NHL prospect, Matthew Mayich, collapsed after an intense outdoor workout. As of Oct. 12, his attorney says he has “no chance of recovery.”“We’re taking it day by day,” Matthew Mayich’s mother, Christina Mayich, said in an interview with Sportsnet. ”We’re here praying hard, praying to our lord, for a miracle.”Cole Brunoli is a senior and team captain of the Florida State Men’s Ice Hockey Club. When he is not leading his team on the ice, Brunoli leads them in outdoor off-ice workouts.“Safety for our guys is our number one priority,” Brunoli said in an interview with the FSView. “[During workouts,] we always have water and multiple breaks to make sure the heat isn’t affecting us. We also [try] to do our off-ice [workouts] closer towards sunset [because] it’s the coolest part of the day.”Never miss a beat: Sign up for the FSView NewsletterHeat-related concerns are very real for athletes, especially those who practice and compete in the Florida heat. What guidelines do the NCAA and Florida State set for preventing player hospitalizations when the weather gets hot?NCAA safety procedures for heat illnessAccording to the NCAA’s sports medicine handbook, strategies preventing exertional heat illnesses include but are not limited to: Adjusting outdoor workout schedules around appropriate recovery periodsEnsuring athletes are properly hydratedNever using physical activity as a punishmentUnfortunately, many of these procedures weren’t properly followed by the ASU men’s ice hockey team staff at the time of the incident, according to some of the team’s members. Seven anonymous players disputed the findings of ASU’s initial internal investigation, claiming that extra physical activity was used as punishment, that they were only given one short water break, and that proper safety equipment was not present.The NCAA notes that when identifying potential exertional heat illnesses, symptoms are similar to those of other medical emergencies such as a cardiac arrest, concussion, or hypoglycemia. Therefore, a rapid diagnosis and response is important to ensure the safety of an athlete.When treating a confirmed exertional heat stroke, one of the most important procedures is to submerge the athlete’s entire body in a tub of cold water, also known as a ‘whole-body cold-water immersion.’After the athlete’s core body temperature stabilizes, they should then be moved to a secure medical facility for further treatment.How Florida State ensures the safety of its athletes in the heatOn March 12, 2024, the Florida State athletics department published a handbook of the general guidelines and procedures school athletics programs must follow. It aligns with the National