Austin Hatch

A very insightful article on Austin, his prognosis and his support system within his family and school.

As always, our thoughts and prayers are with you, Austin.

http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110627/SPORTS/...

Hoops player's youth, strength are pluses as he emerges from coma.

Today marks the start of recovery for Canterbury High School basketball standout Austin Hatch. He will be brought out of the medically induced coma he was placed in after his involvement in a single-engine plane crash Friday evening in Charlevoix, Mich.

“They’re waiting for the brain swelling to go down,” Dr. G. David Bojrab told The Associated Press. “He has bruising to the brain, but there’s no structural damage as far as they can tell right now, so they’re hoping that’s a good sign and he’ll have a better recovery or a full recovery.”

There are many questions regarding Austin’s future. But Kline isn’t worried about the athletic future of his star player.

“If he never plays basketball again,” Kline said, “then he’ll just become the best orthopedic surgeon he can become. He’s going to persevere because he knows what he wants in life. He has goals and a road map to follow in achieving those goals.”

Austin and his father grew closer since the 2003 plane crash.

Earlier this month, Austin and his father shared one of the most special days of their lives when the 6-foot-6, 214-pound forward received and accepted a basketball scholarship offer from the University of Michigan, the alma mater of his parents.

“There’s something special about Michigan,” Hatch told The News-Sentinel at the time. “I fell in love with Michigan the first time I visited.”

Whether Austin eventually wears the maize-and-blue two years from now remains to be seen.

“He’s a very mature, bright 16-year-old kid, and he has a great future ahead of him,” Bowersock said. We’re just focused right now on Austin getting well.”