Austin Is My Brother Wristbands
Embedded in this A2.com article about the Hatch Family memorial service is a video piece about an effort undertaken by Austin Hatch's teammates to show their support for him.
Jake and Zach Drapala, friends and teammates at Canterbury High School of Austin Hatch, created "Austin is my brother" wristbands, IndianaNewsCenter.com reported. The blue wristbands are free, although donations are accepted. To get a wristband, email [email protected].
I'd suggest that if you do email a request for one you ask how you can send a donation to at least offset the cost of the bands and postage.
Thanks for the info. Let's show this kid what it means to be a part of the Michigan family!
It has to be asked:
Are there any NCAA issues with "donating" money? Would it perhaps be better if the wristband was "bought" with a donation that exactly equaled the cost of the band and the postage?
I had the same thought. An Indiana's News Center item said this:
The wristbands are free, but they are taking donations for Austin and his family.
I don't think Michigan fans should be donating money to Austin and his family.
if that is the case (and it probably is), it's a huge illustration of what's wrong with the ncaa and their rules.
seriously, it's outrageous that we have to even have this conversation.
I think the NCAA might grant some kind of an exemption in a case like this. At least, I'd hope so.
...and should donate to offest the cost of the band and postage. That does not benefit Hatch in any way.
Do we need to know the exact amount? This seems to be a gray area.
You could get a kid in trouble for buying him a bag of chips, after all...It's very frustrating not to be able to send some money.
...amount when you send the email request. Paying for the cost of the band and the postage does not provide any tangible benefit to Austin Hatch so there's no way this is problematic. You're just paying the costs incurred by his teammates to do this gesture.
I'd have to agree with this. Though I wonder if they will have time to respond to the amount of emails that UM fans will most likely send their way in support.
Also agree that it's disturbing that we even have to consider this an issue.
Go Blue!
One of my buddies from NJ had an Eric LeGrand wristband (went to HS with him) after his incident. I can't imagine it's too bad, like you're saying w/r/t NCAA rules. Although, there is the difference between recruit vs. player (just thinking aloud).
you want as long as you are not a booster.
So just be sure to not contact Austin or send any messages and you are fine (as long as you are not a season ticket holder).
I hope Tom from AA gets some clarification from U-M's compliance staff on this, because what you suggest still seems questionable to me. You'd still be making a donation to Austin, even if it's indirect; how can a donation not be considered "contact"?
it is fine.
Same reason it is fine for TomVH to talk to recruits but not "contact them as a booster".
A "booster" is a very broad term though, and more than just season ticket holders are included. I know for a fact that all students and alumni are considered boosters and many more fall under the same label. To be safe I emailed them saying I would like to send them the money to coverial the material and shipping costs and will donate more later if it is deemed acceptable by the NCAA.
I wonder if it matters what you donate.
Austin's name is on the band. Is that an issue by itself? I'm going to send an e-mail to the AD and see what they say.