Update on Austin Hatch
Scott Kreiger, the coach of Canterbury's basketball team, was interviewed at halftime of a recent girl's basketball game (podcast) and provided a brief update on Austin Hatch. Kreiger said that Hatch had been cleared for everything except for five-on-five full-court play. He also said that Hatch is determined to reach two goals—play basketball for Michigan and become a doctor. Here's a recent tweet indicating there's a chance he might yet play this season:
Austin Hatch cleared for 5 on 5 halfcourt. Still hoping he can play before season's end.
— Brett R Rump (@IndianaWebSport) January 15, 2013
January 14th, 2013 at 10:13 PM ^
January 14th, 2013 at 10:38 PM ^
This is really the only post that needs to be in the thread I'd say.
January 15th, 2013 at 2:15 AM ^
^ Ironic
January 15th, 2013 at 11:07 AM ^
I want to thank you for actually using the word ironic in the correct context. It happens so rarely.
January 15th, 2013 at 12:02 PM ^
Michigan difference etc.
January 14th, 2013 at 10:15 PM ^
Nice for Mr. Hatch, but also almost as important is the fact that Beilein and the Michigan staff stuck by a recruit (see SEC for counter examples).
January 14th, 2013 at 11:05 PM ^
almost as important. Kid lost his family, somehow beat death, and is now working back to playing at a top school in D-1 basketball and headed towards becoming a doctor. Comparing his journey to Beilein's actions is insulting.
January 14th, 2013 at 11:25 PM ^
Lighten up, Francis. There's no need to be so literal.
January 14th, 2013 at 10:21 PM ^
He has shown himself a true Michigan Man.
January 14th, 2013 at 10:24 PM ^
Awesome to hear. I don't remember though, would this have been his freshman year, or was he on track to be part of next year's freshman class?
January 14th, 2013 at 10:28 PM ^
He was originally part of the 2013 class but has reclassified to 2014. The athletic association down in Indiana granted him an additional year of eligibility—an unprecedented move.
January 14th, 2013 at 10:29 PM ^
January 14th, 2013 at 10:26 PM ^
Never been as excited to see a player get on the court for the first time.
It will be nuts when he steps on the court for the first time at Crisler!!
January 14th, 2013 at 10:31 PM ^
what I think of when I hear updates about this kid...can't imagine the crowd when he makes his first basket *hoping for a dunk*
January 14th, 2013 at 10:27 PM ^
This is tremendous news. His recovery has been an inspiring story. I hope that he continues to blossom and gets to accomplish those goals.
January 14th, 2013 at 10:33 PM ^
What a great story! Go Austin and Go Blue!
January 14th, 2013 at 10:48 PM ^
January 14th, 2013 at 10:56 PM ^
This is really good news. Glad to hear that Austin remains determined to achieve his dreams in spite of all the adversity he has faced and the terrible losses he has endured. It's impossible not to root for this kid. Hope to see him suit up someday for Michigan.
January 14th, 2013 at 10:57 PM ^
God Bless him.
January 14th, 2013 at 11:05 PM ^
Just seeing him on the court will be great...but I still hope he scores 30 points. Go Austin!
January 14th, 2013 at 11:35 PM ^
January 15th, 2013 at 12:09 AM ^
gives me goose bumps thinking about it.
I truly hope he is able to do the things he loves and I have a strong feeling he will be successful at whatever he takes on.
I really want to be able to see him on the MBB Team so that I can root for him like no athlete I ever have, whether he be a fringe or star player, I will always root for him.
Also, a Medical Degree from U-M ain't a bad thing to go for either, Go Austin and Go Blue!!!
January 15th, 2013 at 12:34 AM ^
but it would be fantastic if he were to become a doctor, whether at UM or someplace else.
January 15th, 2013 at 1:34 AM ^
Great story indeed.
I've never heard of 5 on 5 halfcourt; what's that? I've always thought 4 on 4 was too crowded to play halfcourt.
January 15th, 2013 at 1:37 AM ^
January 15th, 2013 at 1:52 AM ^
Yeah, my bad. Now that I think about it it makes sense for a team that plays 5 on 5 to practice in a halfcourt set. It's been too long since I've played organized ball (frosh yr of HS) and I'm just used to pick up games, where 5 on 5 halfcourt would be a mess.
January 15th, 2013 at 1:48 AM ^
January 15th, 2013 at 5:59 AM ^
What an amazing kid.
January 15th, 2013 at 6:42 AM ^
It's hard to say this but after what he's gone through I'm not surprised to see him want to be a doctor. He probably understands how important they are more than most.
January 15th, 2013 at 6:53 AM ^
This story just gets more moving with each update really. Austin Hatch is just an incredible kid who has remained tenacious and worked toward his goals in the face of unfathomable loss. He will deserve every single second of the standing ovation he is sure to get the first time he walks onto the court at Crisler.
January 15th, 2013 at 7:47 AM ^
Austin wants to study medicine? I don't know if we can help him out with that at Michigan.....naw, we're kidding dude, we have you MORE than covered.
January 15th, 2013 at 8:43 AM ^
Great to hear that Austin is continuing to make progress and I truly hope he is able to play in some games before the year is out.
Although it's nice to hear that he is making progress, I have yet to see any updates that really talk about where he is in his recovery process. How's he's speech, memory, mental processing speed, and mental stamina? (for privacy sake I really don't expect to hear about these things) I hope that he can make it back to where he was before the accident. What the kid has been through is horrific. Keep fighting, Austin, we're all pulling for you.
January 15th, 2013 at 10:55 AM ^
I'm very happy for Hatch and proud that Beilein and his staff have really stuck behind Hatch. There's no guarantee he will ever be the player who they recruited, but I think it sends a strong message, that they care about things other than just winning.
Another positive thing to consider is the fact that Hatch is going to get a substantial time to recover. He will have this year and then another one in high school. Plus, he will likely have a redshirt year (assuming he still wants to play basketball) in college. This gives him over two years to recover. Whether he is able to contribute or not doesn't matter at this point, but at least he should have a chance.
Best wishes to Austin
January 15th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^
A side thought... I don't think I heard any comment ever, about his father, the pilot in both crashes. His father, rest in peace, sorry to say, was reckless. To cause not one but two crashes, killing not one but TWO wives, TWO kids, is irresponsible. The first one is a mistake, the second time is gross negligence.
January 15th, 2013 at 1:04 PM ^
January 15th, 2013 at 1:17 PM ^
I thought about pulling up the NTSB reports on the crash, to figure this out. Then, about a nanosecond later, I realized it doesn't matter one bit. The man is dead, his wives are dead, and two of his kids are dead. His other son is struggling to recapture a bright future (and I'm with Don on this - the main thing is for him to get the medical degree, with any basketball being a total bonus by my lights).
A better question then occurred to me. Why do you choose this forum to raise the issue of his father's potential negligence? And I honestly can't fathom why.
I don't recall you posting inflammatory stuff in the past, so I don't want to come off too harsh here. But I suppose it's best to underscore that there's no profit on a Michigan sports blog in attacking a recruit's father - especially when that recruit's father is among loved ones he lost in a tragic accident.
January 15th, 2013 at 3:32 PM ^
on the blog in the comments section back when crash # 2 happened, I remember reading about it and it wasn't a pretty discussion. Let's leave the past in the past.
January 15th, 2013 at 9:07 PM ^
My very experienced opinion is that you don't know the first damn thing about flying.
January 15th, 2013 at 7:18 PM ^