Freep Story on Austin Hatch.
Ok, I know, I know... It's the Freep, but shouldn't stop you from reading about this inspirational story. This young man continues to impress with his fight, and will to attend and play basketball for Michigan. If ever, this kid is a Michigan Man.
http://www.freep.com/article/20120501/SPORTS06/205010434/1054?utm_sourc…
some pretty insensitive comments on there
The nice thing about the internet is that it makes the identification of idiots that much easier.
I didn't even look at the comments. I stopped reading ESPN comments years ago. Often they are a depressing indicator of how pathetic people can be, just cutting anyone or anything down with the great bravado they possess standing behind the anonymity of the internet.
Believe it or not, even the bad comments are extremely tame for an ESPN comment field. I was expecting a lot worse. Kudos to the commenters for not turning it into a cesspool, at least yet.
It is a truism that comments on website articles are produced by the angriest, most impulsive, most arrogant, and least intelligent representatives of any group or viewpoint.
pulling for you buddy. Good luck!
Good thing Drew Sharp didn't write this article, I'm sure he would've found some way to F it up, just like everything else he touches.
And here's an inspiring picture from the article:
![30a611ee8bd811e1989612313815112c_71[1]](http://www.umhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/30a611ee8bd811e1989612313815112c_711.jpg "30a611ee8bd811e1989612313815112c_71[1]")
Not sure you could find a more remakable high schooler. Even if he never plays a second for UM he will always be one of my favorite UM student-athletes- and he isn't even out of high school!
To go through what he has- and to have what has up to now been an amazing recovery- and to have his outlook it is amazing to think he may just be able to play on what could be some terrific teams.
Also makes you feel good that Beilein has apparently done an amazing job as well. It's nice that if you take away the X's and O's he's still one hell of a guy.
This kid has gone through more hell in 17 years than most people do in a lifetime.
Of course it would be great if he can play basketball again. But I really don't care. I just hope he can come to Michigan and find some way to start putting all of this tragedy behind him. I mean, he will never put it behind him for real, but college gives him a chance to start building a new life for himself that maybe he can separate from the life that he lost.
Even if he never gets on the court, just surviving what he went though and still being able to come to Michigan will be a great accomplishment.
Amazing story - I wish him the best in his continued recovery and cannot wait to see him in a Michigan uniform.
man, i hope he gets an incredible standing ovation the first time he takes the floor.
I would be dissapointed if the game is not delayed- because he deserves one hell of an ovation.
kid is amazingly strong. Very sad hearing him talk about him being the only one left in his family.
Such a sad story, yet so full of hope. Like many of you, I have followed this story since the crash and am amazed at his progress. While we can never replace his family, we have about a half a million Wolverines who will always be there for him.
If not everybody in Crisler gives Austin a standing ovation when he steps onto the court, I will be terribly sad.
EDIT: Meant to be a reply to ish's comment
Thought of posting this myself, but glad to defer to you. Wonderful article.
It's interesting that Hatch attributes much of his progress in healing to his "passionate Christian faith." I don't know about the personal lives of the team members, and I guess I'd just assume that there is the normal mix of guys you'd find anywhere. Having said that, there have been several allusions to faith in the press. Trey Burke makes his own faith pretty clear with his tattoo. In fact, I think it was someone at Trey's church who saw him at worship who broke the news that he would return to Michigan. Beilein has subtly referred to his own faith as well.
The faith life of Burke, Hatch, Beilein and others is pretty irrelevant to the success of the team. Michigan will do well if they have talented players and coaches who put in the work, regardless of what they believe or don't believe. Likewise, Michigan will do poorly on the court without the right mix of talent and work. And yet, these comments on faith are often a good indicator of strong character.
It won't win any basketball games, but thats kind of besides the point. I have no idea if he will ever be able to play competitively again, but he'll look good in Michigan gear as whatever he becomes.
1) Terrific kid. Glad to hear he's feeling confident.
2) Nice article. Despite the shitty reader-comments.
3) Refreshing see that this thread didn't devolve into another anti-Freep shitstorm. It's history.
I believe that Astin's father had achieved what he was supposed to in life, helping prepare Austin to follow his dreams and succeed where he may not have, and it was time for him to be reunited with his family. Austin has much more story to tell before he joins them as well someday. That's what I believe.
Looking forward to seeing you on the court, Austin.
but he would still be one of the toughest SOBs in the world. Make a movie about him!