Per UMHoops: Austin Hatch Reclassifies to 2014

Submitted by MGoShoe on

As reported by WANE-TV via UMHoops:

WANE-TV is reporting that Michigan commitment Austin Hatch has been granted an additional year of eligibility by the IHSAA and will reclassify to the class of 2014. Here’s an excerpt of WANE-TV’s report:

Hatch informed WANE-TV that the IHSAA has granted him another year of eligibility per a letter written by Canterbury athletic director Ken Harkenrider to IHSAA commissioner Bobby Cox. [T]he IHSAA’s ruling allows Hatch eligibility for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. It is an unprecedented ruling in terms of the IHSAA.

Instead of signing with Michigan this November Hatch now has an extra year and will sign with U of M in November of 2013. Hatch says Michigan coach John Beilein and the program has said they will honor his scholarship any year and continue to support Austin.

The article states the Austin's goal is to become a doctor like his late father and the extra year of high school will help him prepare himself academically and athletically for the next stage of his life.

A most excellent decision by the IHSAA.

 

oriental andrew

September 5th, 2012 at 8:11 AM ^

Good ruling. Not only did he lose a year of athletics competition, but the injury also forced him to miss a significant portion of his academic work. Makes sense on both fronts.

Gitback

September 5th, 2012 at 8:30 AM ^

Glad to hear that he'll get time to get everything back up to speed.  

 

On a side note:  why does it look like that newscast was recorded in a trailer park rental office?

Michiganguy19

September 5th, 2012 at 8:32 AM ^

Someone on some level of athletics does the right thing for the kids involved in this business. Austin has been through a lot and deserves this opportunity to prepare for his bright future. All the best to him as he continues to recover.

Flying Dutchman

September 5th, 2012 at 8:45 AM ^

Wonderful news for the kid.  He has a bright future whether he plays basketball collegiately or not.

Now the obvious question:  does this have any real impact on recruting classes for those years?  ie Do we have an extra scholly for '13 and where will we be come '14?

StephenRKass

September 5th, 2012 at 9:11 AM ^

You can check out the UMhoops scholarship listing. LINK:  http://www.umhoops.com/recruiting/scholarship-breakdown/

We have one open scholarship this year. I assume this will go to Bartelstein or Akunne. (or, there's an outside chance it goes to grad student and team member Person.)

There are currently no open scholarships in 13-14. There is a high probability, however, that Burke goes pro, opening one slot.

There is an additional slot open for 14-15.

We appear to be entering a time when the level of play for Michigan basketball players means that they will not last a full four years. I could easily see McGary or Robinson or Hardaway not staying a full four years. If that is the case, we probably can generally expect 3 - 5 recruits every year, with the assumption that they last on average 3 years. Some will transfer out to get PT (Brundige, for example) and some will excel to the degree they can go to the NBA (Burke?)

Jfox1020

September 5th, 2012 at 8:59 AM ^

Good update.. This kid is gonna be a fan favorite and I cant wait to see him play for U of M.. Good news to start my day.. Weird that it came from Indiana

ish

September 5th, 2012 at 9:31 AM ^

It's so rare that an athletic governing body gets things right, so here's to you IHSAA and whatever your acronym stands for.

And here's to Austin Hatch, who has demonstrated incomparable courage in the face of horrific tragedy.

LSAClassOf2000

September 5th, 2012 at 9:51 AM ^

This is a great decision by the ISHAA and will definitely allow him to be better prepared both academically and athletically for Michigan, and it was also very classy of Beilein to reaffirm that they will honor his scholarship at any time. This kid will likely get a thunderous ovation when he gets here, and deservedly so.

langkyl

September 5th, 2012 at 10:05 AM ^

when the accident was first reported, that his mental capacity would be affected, moreso than his future with UofM basketball. That doesn't seem to be the case, if he's enrolled, and excelling in High School, and has plans for secondary education. It sounds like he's still has some lofty athletic goals, as well as high aspiratioins for future employment.

Cheers to you Austin....keep up the solid.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

September 5th, 2012 at 10:24 AM ^

I have to read this as a good sign for Austin's athletic career at Michigan.  If he's pursuing basketball eligibility it sure sounds like he has every intention of earning his scholarship on the court.  Outstanding news.

Tater

September 5th, 2012 at 11:47 AM ^

This is the first decision I have ever seen by any HSAA that actually did something for a student-athlete.  Usually, their rulings involve declaring kids ineligible, forcing schools to forfeit or vacat games, and fining schools.  Congrats to the IHSAA for actually following through with the supposed "mission" of any HSAA.

Half Blood Dut…

September 6th, 2012 at 5:48 PM ^

He's gone through so much, he should have a movie made about him.

He will play at Michigan, and not one of those things ESPN goes crazy on where he'd play the first ten seconds, he will play. I guarantee it