Austin Hatch takes medical scholarship
http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/042715aaa.html
Discuss. Also, please be respectful here. There are a lot of Spartys and Buckeyes who are going to use this as an opportunity to prove their classlessness, don't be like them.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^
Take his statements at face value - he values being a basketball player for Michigan, but he values his academics more. Neither basketball nor academics were where he wanted them to be, so he felt he had to choose - and the decision was academics.
If the pressure came from anywhere, it was from within. He doesn't seem like the type who would settle for anything less than his best, and he wasn't meeting that criterion in either domain.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:34 AM ^
Haters are likely misinformed and don't care about learning the truth.
What matters to me is Austin and Michigan. I am proud that he is a Wolverine. Always.
As an OSU fan, I don't think there is anything at all improper here. But this does show that to see whether there is oversigning, you need to look at the particular circumstances of the players that left the program on medicals or otherwise. The mere fact that players are removed from the scholarship count, and new players are signed to replace them, does not show oversigning.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^
Anyone making this negative is speaking volumes about themselves. They'd be ignorant of the situation and cynical by nature. Anyone taking an "easy" road to hate on this, is just hate mongering.
Medicals are not inherently bad, but if abused become so. This situation is definitely why the rule was created, and Hatch and JB are speaking loudly about Hatch's priorities, and capabilities.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:53 AM ^
It'll be too easy for folks wanting to hate on M to turn this into a negative story.
Not in any legitimate way. I suspect you are over-stating any blowback. There's nothing to blow back. Even then, who cares what the mindless say?
Austin get role playing minutes in the future, but glad that he is dealing positively with the reality of the situation. Good for you Austin, you're correct in that you are so much more than just a basketball player.
Got to live out his dream, even if only for a bit. We love you Austin and I hope you have a long time association with the University of Michigan and continue to make us and your family proud.
What was the question about the medical scholarship? Was it if Austin was willing to reliquinsh his opportunity to be on the team as a scholarship player? Or is it b/c the injuries were sustained prior to stepping foot on campus meaning that Beilein knowingly gave a scholarship to a player that may not play due to his injuries and cannot claim him a medical hardship now because he knew previously?
Certainly is a bummer for Austin, but I think it became clear that he is not able to do the things he once did. The kid is amazing and deserves nothing but great success moving forward.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:12 AM ^
April 27th, 2015 at 10:25 AM ^
I think that he was talking about the question with regard to his ability to get the medical scholarship or not. As in, to get the medical scholarship, he would have had to have suffered injuries at Michigan. Since the injuries were "pre-existing," may be there were issues getting the medical scholarship. At least, that's how I read it. At least the first part of what 2Blue4You was asking/saying.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:57 AM ^
They just had to go through a process and have the Big Ten sign off on it. It was routine.
It's irrelevant when or where the injuries occurred.
I have no issue with it. Clearly being a D1 basketball player wasn't going to be in the cards for him for the long haul, but he still gets a free education at a top university with having the experience of playing D1 ball even for a little bit.
There was some chatter on the board last week about this being a possibility, but here's the official announcement. His is a truly unbelieveable story with unfathomable loss, but one of recovery and - ultimately - realizing his dream to be in a game at Crisler donning the maize and blue.
As others have said, it is very selfless of him to agree to this, but it is great that he will continue to contribute to the team and be active in the program. It is another chapter and hopefully an excellent one for Hatch.
all the way around:
- Hatch - class
- Beilein - class
- UM Basketball - class
- UM - class
- B1G - class (yes even they did the right and classy thing)
This whole situation has been handled unbelievably well - and kudos to all. And best of all, a great young man will be getting a wonderful education.
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April 27th, 2015 at 10:15 AM ^
Win win for both Austin and the basketball team. Great kid gets to keep his scholarship and still be a member in some way, and now we have an extra scholarship.
I wonder if there had been some type of plan like this going into the year or some type of discussion between Austin and the coaches that if he wasn't progressing and didn't feel he could contribute down the line that he would medical.
The writing has been on the wall for some time. Knowing that Michigan was still looking to extend a scholarship this year, it had to come from somewhere. If you read the MGoBlue article, it makes clear that academics was a significant part of the decision from Austin's perspective. I know his father was a doctor, and I vaguely recall that he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps.
I have always thought that the challenges facing basketball players in particular with the academic load, travel schedule, and rigors of being a player, were extremely daunting. No matter how bright you are, something has to give. It likely was impossible to pull straight A's in rigorous coursework while at the same time playing on the team. If this allows Austin to be associated with the team to the degree his studies allow him to. While we mock OSU for the infamous "I didn't come here to play school" statement, there is some truth. If you are "majoring" in football or basketball, it is very, very hard to also have a rigorous undergrad degree, especially if you want to go on to Med School, Vet School, or the like.
Austin has already achieved an amazing recovery. A path to a degree, and a chance to stay around the program should set him up for a great future. Best of luck to him.
Tip of the hat to Mr. Hatch.
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April 27th, 2015 at 10:02 AM ^
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April 27th, 2015 at 10:03 AM ^
In whatever he chooses in basketball and in life. He's going to be a success at whatever he does.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:07 AM ^
Michigan Man.
I'm not afraid to say it. Austin Hatch is as desrving of this title as anyone.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:08 AM ^
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April 27th, 2015 at 10:08 AM ^
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April 27th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^
April 27th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^
April 27th, 2015 at 10:11 AM ^
As someone who has not had it as bad as Austin, but pretty bad, this takes a lot of courage, to give up his dream of being able to play basketball at a high level for the benefit of the team. Austin Hatch seems like an amazing kid and I would actually love to meet him.
April 27th, 2015 at 11:05 AM ^
at the U Meet the Athlete....I hope he writes a book or becomes a motivational speaker in the future. Great, great kid.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:12 AM ^
April 27th, 2015 at 10:12 AM ^
Best of luck to Austin. He's what an Michigan Man is all about.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:13 AM ^
I suspect Coach B and Austin discussed this possibility before he ever stepped foot on campus. He gets to stay on scholarship and still be apart of the team. I'm glad he got some minutes last year so that there will always be a record that he did play for the Wolverines.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:13 AM ^
April 27th, 2015 at 10:13 AM ^
April 27th, 2015 at 10:16 AM ^
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April 27th, 2015 at 10:13 AM ^
Whatever Austin decides to do with his life from here on out, he's already won. If anyone ever needs any kind of motivation, or a reminder that their "problems" really aren't all that bad, just look at his story.
Now, not to be "that guy," but I'm asking because I'm sure its on most everyone's minds anyway. Neg away if you will, but what does this do for us as far as having a shot with Brown or Williams? Do we know if either of them are close to announcing?
April 27th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^
I really want to see him make a basket.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:21 AM ^
Austin Hatch brings new meaning to the phrase "Hail to the Conquering Hero."
April 27th, 2015 at 10:23 AM ^
You really wanted him to make it but I think he realized it wasn't going to be and even going back to high school, there were quotes indicating he wanted what he earned. I don't think he felt it was fair to the team to tie up a roster spot even if his heart wanted it badly.
Hopefully this allows him to excell in academics and maybe is a springboard to a future in coaching which would allow him to continue to be involved in the game.
He will always be loved by Michigan fans.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:34 AM ^
JB and Michigan honored their commitment to Austin. I believe that after giving it his best Austin is putting the team ahead of himself. He is an inspiring young man. He's already made the world a better place and I think he will continue to do that in a different capacity.
April 27th, 2015 at 10:35 AM ^
April 27th, 2015 at 10:47 AM ^
April 27th, 2015 at 11:26 AM ^
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April 27th, 2015 at 10:50 AM ^
April 27th, 2015 at 10:51 AM ^
With that being said, I am still deeply saddened that this had to happen. It doesn't matter what JB and AH say, part of me thinks this is directly correlated to the recruitment of Brown and Williams.
But... Let's go get us a 5*!
April 27th, 2015 at 11:02 AM ^
It doesn't matter what JB and AH say, part of me thinks this is directly correlated to the recruitment of Brown and Williams.
It isn't. The medical waiver process must be approved by the NCAA. That takes time. Beilein said this process started at the end of the season. At the time, Brown was just starting to express interest and Williams wasn't even on the horizon. It does explain why we continued to recruit them when it appeared there were no scholarships left. I take Beilein and Austin at their word--because it makes sense, but even more so because of who they are.