Statement from Hatch Family; Austin Said to Be "Recovering"

Submitted by Raoul on

Indiana's News Center has an item—Austin Hatch Still in a Coma but Sources Are Optimistic—that includes a statement from the Hatch family:

Munson Medical Center released the following statement on behalf of the Hatch family spokesperson:

“Austin remains in critical condition but is recovering. We ask that everyone respect our family’s privacy during this time of grief. We appreciate the prayers, concerns, and outpouring of sympathy. Expressions of support for Austin and the family may be directed to www.caringbridge.org/visit/AustinHatch.”

There is additional optimistic news in the article:

Sources say Austin's still in the medically induced coma doctor’s put him in after the plane crash. They say doctors are waiting on results of a CT Scan.

But sources tell us they have observed movement in all four of Austin’s extremities and they feel it's a positive sign.

. . .

"I'm sure he will be in a coma for a few more days as they continue to work on him. But they think he's out of the woods. They didn't know initially if he was going to make it but I think he will make it now and we're praising God for that," said [Blackhawk Teaching Pastor Steve] Webster.

PLEASE NOTE: As I mentioned in the earlier thread, from what Sam Webb and Ira Weintraub said on WTKA this morning, Michigan fans need to be careful about reaching out to Austin—perhaps even through that web page the family has set up. For example, if you wanted to send a card to him, they said you should be careful not to indicate any connection to Michigan, such as saying "looking forward to seeing you in Ann Arbor" or something like that. Even saying something like "Go Blue!" might be problematic. As I recall from the show, Ira had talked to Tom Wywrot at U-M, who had gotten some clarification on this issue from the NCAA. If anyone has heard anything further on what is and is not allowed, please post it here, and I'll be glad to revise this.

jethro34

June 27th, 2011 at 7:09 PM ^

At this point I could care less if Austin ever plays at UM.  I'm more concerned that he just recovers to normal health and somehow deals with his losses.  That, by itself, would be physically and emotionally a miracle.  Playing D-1 hoops would simply be a huge cherry on top of his life, should he recover to that point.

rockydude

June 27th, 2011 at 8:14 PM ^

We are thinking of all of you members of the Hatch family right now. Our prayers are with each one of you, and we look forward to the day that Austin wakes up, as well as the day that he graduates Michigan and fulfills his dream of becoming a doctor. Don't ever give up, and know that we all support you, every step of the way . . . 

Zone Left

June 27th, 2011 at 7:15 PM ^

 

Best wishes to him and his family. Crashing in a plane must be unbelievably terrifying.

For what it's worth, the OP is right about communicating with Austin. Depending on your status as a student/alum, donor, etc, you are commiting a violation if you contact recruits.

For all you Facebook stalkers, this includes Facebook/Twitter communication--not that anyone is going to do anything about it, but it is technically a violation.

SanDiegoWolverine

June 27th, 2011 at 8:08 PM ^

It's technically if you are considered a "booster" and most of the minor communications don't constitute as anything.

I really question someone's logic who is dumb enough to think that the NCAA cares about a random fan sending a get well card to someone when boosters on campus all over the country are giving student athletes extra benifits and the NCAA isn't doing anything about it (by and large).

Schools self-report dozens of secondary violations a year and the NCAA doesn't seem to care but if a fan sends a get well card they are going to start looking into illegal contact? Get real guys.

Raoul

June 27th, 2011 at 8:50 PM ^

I'm not an expert on NCAA rules and in the OP didn't pretend to be. But do you even know who the NCAA considers a booster? I did a quick check and found that anyone who holds a season ticket in any sport is considered a booster of that university. That would include a large number of the people who frequent this site. And by the way, if you were once a season ticket holder but aren't now, your status as a booster remains basically forever.

You can scoff all you want about this, but the cautionary note I posted above was based on information from someone at U-M. If you're a fan of the university, I think his advice is worth heeding.

Captain

June 27th, 2011 at 7:20 PM ^

I wish Austin the best through this extraordinarily difficult time. 

Also, if the NCAA cracked down because the words "Go Blue" appeared at the end of a heart-felt card sent under these circumstances, my level of loathing for the NCAA would skyrocket.

m1817

June 27th, 2011 at 7:21 PM ^

NCAA rules per UM Hoops, "Perhaps one of the most unfortunate and painful aspects of the situation is the lack of support that the University of Michigan is able to provide to Hatch, per NCAA rules. Make no mistake about it, the Michigan staff will do all that’s allowed but NCAA rules surrounding contact and support of prospective student athletes still apply in this situation". 

http://www.umhoops.com/2011/06/26/the-latest-on-austin-hatch/ 

Michigasling

June 27th, 2011 at 9:33 PM ^

that says, among other things: "Dave Telep reports that the Michigan staff will be able to visit Austin and provide the necessary support by attending funerals."  [The UMHoops link to Telep is to a membership site.  But if they trust his veracity, I trust we can too, and in this case I certainly hope so.]

http://www.umhoops.com/2011/06/27/austin-hatch-makes-progress-continues-to-fight/ 

Raoul

June 27th, 2011 at 7:31 PM ^

In case anyone missed this in the previous thread, Austin's dog Brady (!) was on the plane and amazingly survived the crash unharmed. MGoUser erd2201 said a local Traverse City news station reported that "the dog has been delivered to Munson and is now in Austin's hospital room."

The original Petoskey News item can be found here.

IncrediblySTIFF

June 27th, 2011 at 7:50 PM ^

My Aunt is a doctor in Fort Wayne, she has worked closely with Dr. Hatch in the past.  I called her a few minutes to offer my condolonces.  My 16 year old cousin dated Austin during her freshman/his sophmore year for a couple months.  She said she has been in close contact with a couple of the doctors working with Austin, along with some family.  They are expecting to bring him out of the coma either late tomorrow or early on (edit...Wednesday).  As of this time, the doctors are very hopeful that he will make a full recovery.  She said it is much too early to give any sort of timeline on this tragedy, however she told me with strong young kids like Austin it could be as little as 3-4 months for a full recovery.  Here's crossing my fingers and praying for the best.

Blue in Yarmouth

June 28th, 2011 at 10:52 AM ^

Your update is great, and as a relative of this Dr. you have no obligations whatsoever, but I find her (and the Dr.s looking after Austin) willingness to share confidential information a bit disturbing.

What the public hears from the famlly spokesperson is what the family wants the public to know. They (the family) get their information from the Dr.'s and decide what, if anything, they want people to hear.

One Dr. sharing confidential patient information with another Dr. who has nothing to do with the care of said patient, is every bit the breach of confidentiality that sharing with a person on the street is.

Again, I m not coming down on you here, you have no obligations at all (unless there is something you haven't said in your post), but your aunt and Austin's Dr.'s should know better than to share information like this to anyone other than family.

Indiana Wolverine

June 27th, 2011 at 8:38 PM ^

to high school with his step-sister and still keep in touch every once in a while (especially the last few days) through the magic of facebook.  He has one set of grandparents and 2 step-sisters still living.   The 2 sisters are doing well considering the circumstances and the hospital is overcrowded with support.  Just get over to Caring Bridge if you can and post anything positive.  Maria, Brittany,and company truly appreciate it.

nmumike

June 27th, 2011 at 9:59 PM ^

I just went to the caringbridge site and read the guestbook, there are a few stating "the whole Michigan family is behind you". I am not sure if that is ok or not but I hope rules are not being broken...This is truly a tragedy and we are all hoping for a full recovery both mentally and physically.

Raoul

June 28th, 2011 at 12:13 AM ^

I also saw comments almost exactly along the lines of what Sam Webb said people should avoid, such as "It is going to be a crazy, sold out Crisler Arena when you run out of that tunnel for the Maize and Blue for the first time. I can't wait." I would hope that, as Tater suggests below, the NCAA will step in and make an exception in this case and allow the rules to be bent a bit.

The NCAA makes an easy target when issues like this come up. But imagine if this accident had happened two weeks ago--before Austin Hatch had verbally committed to Michigan. Think about the potential ramifications of Michigan fans or fans of other schools contacting him under that scenario and identifying themselves as being associated with a particular university. Any boosters doing so could be considered to be trying to encourage him to attend their university--and that's against NCAA rules. (By the way, I've seen several people saying that they can't understand why sending someone a card could be considered an illegal benefit. That's not the issue, but rather whether the content of the card might be considered an attempt to encourage him to attend Michigan.)

People need to also realize that his verbal commitment did not change his status in the eyes of the NCAA at all.

I'm hoping Sam Webb might be able to clarify this issue on Tuesday's show, especially now that the CaringBridge page has been created. In the meantime, most importantly, I'll be hoping for Austin's continued recovery from this terrible accident.

Tater

June 27th, 2011 at 9:28 PM ^

A kid fighting for his life after a tragedy isn't really a "basketball recruit" anymore; he is a kid who needs support.  According to Sam Webb this morning, the NCAA is "looking into" making some kind of exception here to allow the support of the Michigan community.  

As for basketball, the first thing to hope for his that this kid can even walk again.  If he recovers full use of his body and his mental facilities, anything else is a bonus.  If anyone wants to get an idea of what a person with a head injury is fighting," go and volunteer some time at the Eisenhower Center.  I guarantee that you will get a wake-up call.

troublet1969

June 28th, 2011 at 6:59 AM ^

My condolences to the Hatch family.  Please know that we as a family will continue to pray for your health both physically and otherwise during this difficult time.  We hope that all of the love and support that is sent will lift Austin up and help speed his recovery.

michfan4borw

June 28th, 2011 at 8:27 AM ^

I've been meaning to add to the aggregated love here for Austin in his time of need.  I wish Austin all the best going forward, b/c he's had to deal with a whole lot of bad in his young life.  He serves as a reminder to me of all that I have to be thankful for.  Thanks, Austin.  Life will be tougher for you than for most, but keep your head up and you'll be better than fine.  Good luck and lean on your Michigan family if you need to.