The Toledo/Bowling Green area is split. You're either an Ohio State fan, or you're a Michigan fan. But Wolverines and Buckeyes alike can come together to appreciate the story of Austin Hatch- a story of tragedy, triumph and strength.
Disclaimer: the video below is lengthy, but it is well worth your time to watch it. All of it.
While this story surfaced over a year ago, it is something I have followed closely since. This young man is incredibly brave. But praise also needs to be given to Michigan head coach John Beilein for the way he handled this situation from start (recruiting process) to finish (putting Hatch on the floor of Crisler Arena).
In an interview with ESPN, Hatch said he had always dreamed of playing under coach Beilein and the Wolverines: a bond him and his late father shared. Now, despite all he has been through, he has the opportunity thanks to Beilein and his staff.
Hatch no longer has the physical abilities that he had prior to the accident, there's no getting around that. But Beilein bringing him on anyway proves that there is still good happening in the NCAA. In his eighth season at the helm of Michigan, Beilein did the right thing, the honorable thing.
In a press release officially announcing the signees, Beilein said, "Austin is a consummate, high IQ player, who is an excellent shooter. He sees the floor and his teammates well and has great leadership capabilities. We are excited to have him back and playing basketball again” (Michigan basketball, 2013, para 12).
His father would be proud.
What message do you think Beilein sent by honoring Hatch's scholarship? Can other coaches learn something from this story? Do you think enough attention was given to the way Beilein handled the situation?
References:
Price, S. (2014, Aug. 14). Michigan honors scholarship offer to plane crash survivor Austin Hatch. SB Nation. Retrieved from http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2014/8/14/6002429/michigan-basketball-austin-hatch-plane-crash
Quinn, B. (2013, Nov. 14). Michigan basketball formally announces 4 signees, honors scholarship offer to Austin Hatch. MLive. Retrieved from http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2013/11/michigan_basketball_formally_a.html
Alexx,
ReplyDeleteYou're right about this being an incredible story. I had it on in the background about a week ago and then started listening more closely to what happened. I couldn't believe that his father had crashed the plane twice and that he had lost both his mother and father on separate occasions. I also could not imagine the painful road to recovery that Austin Hatch had to make. The fact that Coach Beilein stood by his scholarship commitment is pretty amazing. I don't know what the record of Michigan is, but there ought to be recognition of coaches and/or other administrators who 'do the right thing.'
Thanks for sharing about this inspiring story.
Dr. Spencer
This story is so inspiring. After I watched this clip, I think Hatch is an incredible young man for standing up again after he suffered such accidents. As for my point of view, I think Beilein sent messages of equality and encouragement. Equality is extremely significant to anybody in this society, especially to a person who suffered such a trauma. I also think the scholarship truly encouraging for Hatch as he went through the sorrow, and it is also a kind of recognition of Hatch’s ability, which stimulated Hatch to keep going.
ReplyDeleteI think other coaches can learn a lot from this example. Beilein showed great care to Hatch, not only like an ethical coach but also an elder helped his young child to implement his dream. Admittedly rules are rules, but I think a coach could be more humanistic and caring to his or her players. I always believe that a sentence said by a teacher, coach or family member or a slight action taken by them could produce huge influences on a person’s life.
I think the behavior of Beilein on this case should be popularized in all schools, not only in colleges but also in middle schools or high schools.
-- Veeco Zheng
I honestly have never heard this story before, granted that I do not follow Michigan basketball. These are the type of stories that you do not hear enough about. Coach Beilein did an amazing job with the way that he handled this situation. I do not believe that there is any other way to handle this situation. Sadly though there are coaches out there who care more about that scholarship going to a player who can contribute than to somebody like Austin Hatch who earned the scholarship. I believe that Beilein sent a message that he is a good man and is very honorable. He told everybody that he will do anything for his players and will always be there for them. This was a great story.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFor Michigan I love this story. Coach Beilein used a scholarship for more than just athletic ability. He could have easily pulled it because of the situation. As a coach I love to read stories like this because it shows that earning something like a scholarship should be given, you should keep your word. I decided to look further into this because I understand that schools only have so many scholarships to give out and every scholarship matters because a kid can make a team better. I saw where coach Beilein told Austin that that he wouldn't offer him a scholarship if he didn't think he had a role on the team that would help them win. This should show a lot of people around the world that there is more to the game of basketball than just what you see on the court. To see that Austin has been through a crash twice and has so much positivity is even more of a reason why I will follow him and Michigan because I would love to see him succeed after going through what he has been through.
ReplyDeleteVincent Marshall
I think the Austin Hatch/ Michigan story is one of my all-time favorites. Watching the story on Austin brought tears to all of my teammate’s faces when our coach made us watch this segment two weeks ago. It is a very humbling story and makes you appreciate your life and the many blessings you have. I have no doubt in my mind that Coach Beilein made the right decision with honoring Austin’s scholarship. I’m not sure what cruel-hearted person would want to do that to a kid who’s just been through complete hell most of his life. In both plane crashes it was a miracle that he survived but unfortunately each time he has lost at least one parent. I think that it is amazing that a lot of Division 1 big time schools can afford to honor scholarships like that because not only are they keeping their word but they are paying it forward. Allowing Austin to attend Michigan not only was a huge gift to him but also a huge gift to the university and athletic department because of all the positive publicity.
ReplyDeleteJasmine Matthews
Jasmine,
DeleteI like that your coach forced you to watch the video clip about this story. It tells me a lot about her values. I had not thought about the positive publicity this means for Michigan, although I am guessing that was the furthest thing from Coach Beilein's mind when he honored the scholarship.
Dr. Spencer