Story Offering Some Details on Austin Hatch's Recovery
Dave Dye, in a FOX Sports Detroit article, is able to provide some more information about where Austin Hatch stands in his recovery. The overall picture seems quite encouraging. Some excerpts below.
On his attending school:
"He's really making significant progress," said Ken Harkenrider, the athletic director at Canterbury High, Hatch's school. "He doesn't go to all his classes. That would be overwhelming in terms of the length of the day. But he is spending a part of each day in school. It's exciting."
On his continued involvement with the Canterbury basketball team:
"He's been on the bench with the team for games," Harkenrider said. "They've had one away game and he traveled on the bus with them. The other day, he was shooting some free throws."
On his future in basketball:
Greg Jones, an editor for the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette's high school sports coverage, said he's been told that Hatch is determined to return to basketball.
Hatch has been spotted working out occasionally at different local gyms in recent weeks.
"It's kind of a good distraction, motivation and a goal for him," Jones said. "He definitely has the desire. Time will tell whether physically he's able to do it."
December 9th, 2011 at 9:14 PM ^
very encouraging,,,, The entire Michigan family is behind you!
December 9th, 2011 at 9:33 PM ^
Absolutely awesome! Shows just how much will and determination can help you overcome such a great obstacle. In Austin's case a HUGE obstacle. So glad to know he is going to join the Michigan family.
December 9th, 2011 at 9:39 PM ^
Good for him. Keeping him in my thoughts and prayers, and hoping to see him suit up in the Maize and Blue one day.
December 9th, 2011 at 11:01 PM ^
December 9th, 2011 at 11:04 PM ^
almost tear up thinking about it
December 10th, 2011 at 2:50 AM ^
I don't want this to come off as insensitive, but I wonder how much counseling hell need to be able to fly/travel with the team.
<br>
<br>I had a rough experience a few years ago and I have only flown twice since. It's a struggle for me mentally, and I only had severe turbulence and a rough landing, nothing like Austin had
<br>
<br>I pray that he continues his recovery and gets past the mental hurdles which are sometimes more difficult than the physical ones.
December 10th, 2011 at 9:48 AM ^
It probably won't bother him too much. I only say that because he previously survived a horrific plane crash in 2003 piloted by his father. So, if he was willing to get into a plane with his father at the controls again, I'm sure he'll not have a problem flying on a charter or commercial flight with his teammates.
December 10th, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^
Ok for some reason I was thinking he was not aboard the first crash. If he was, he's stronger than me.
December 10th, 2011 at 8:40 AM ^
It's great that Austin Hatch wants to play basketball again, but if he never returns to elite level and is simply able to live what most of us see as a "normal" life, it will be a huge victory. I hope he is able to get a degree from the University of Michigan someday. Anything else would be on the extreme high end of the Bell Curve for someone in his situation, and would thus fall into the "major bonus" catagory.