I understand that Austin Hatch is going to be on a medical scholarship next year? Is that what it’s called? Something like that?
More importantly, is he ever going to see the floor or be a part of the rotation over the next four or five years?
As of now he will be on a regular athletic scholarship.
If he were to receive a medical redshirt, he would potentially earn an extra year to fulfill his eligibility (like Jason White got six years to play four, whereas typical student athletes get five years to play four). But we would only pursue a medical redshirt if we think he can contribute here. Most believe at this point he will not be able to contribute at an effective level here, so he’d be pursuing a medical hardship, not the medical redshirt. If you are on medical hardship, you are not eligible to play a sport because it is believed you are no longer physically capable of doing so.
Now, I’m not 100% sure on the requirement for a medical hardship, but I’m sure you have to be on athletic scholarship for at least the beginning of your college experience in order to receive a medical hardship down the line. We have the room to keep him on athletic scholarship for 2014-15 and get his medical hardship after that so he won’t take up an athletic scholarship anymore.
I tend to lean towards the idea that Beilein keeps Hatch on an athletic scholarship for the duration of his career. If I’m not mistaken, once Hatch receives a Medical scholarship, his college basketball career is effectively over. I see that as a last resort type of situation that would depend entirely on the merits of Hatch’s health and not at all on any impending offers we might want to hand out or a perceived lack of scholarships/abundance of recruits.
Ah that is good to know. I had no idea a “medical scholarship” was the end of a college career. But if he was to stay on an athletic scholarship, do you think he could eventually get some rotation minutes? Or is he headed next in line for the 12th man after Bartelstein and Dakich?
Sorry I meant to use the term medical hardship, not medical scholarship. But even if Hatch can’t contribute as a regular rotation player, I can see him being on athletic scholarship cheering from the bench and being a part of the team the entire time he’s here. Possibly even getting to play late in a game or two that is already decided. What a moment that would be!
If he were to receive a medical hardship and his playing career would be over, would he still be able to travel with the team or attend team functions or sit on the bench in a snazzy suit like Mitch did all year?
If he were to receive a medical hardship and his playing career would be over, would he still be able to travel with the team or attend team functions or sit on the bench in a snazzy suit like Mitch did all year?
I don’t think being on medical hardship would prevent him from being involved with the program in some capacity.
Cronin was on medical hardship and he was around the team until he graduated. It is a nice way to start a coaching career.
Yeah
Cronin was on medical hardship and he was around the team until he graduated. It is a nice way to start a coaching career.
Yeah he was basically an extra coach.
Thanks all for the clarification. And Ben Cronin was an awesome guy, it’s too bad his career was derailed by injuries. I played in a few pick-up games with him towards the end of his college career and he was immensely talented. But he could barely move.
Regarding Hatch, I’m hoping for a moment like what HailBeilein mentions above. If he could get some minutes at the end of blowout win, that would certainly be amazing. I’m sure he will be a great ambassador for Michigan basketball in the future.
Not sure what will happen with Austin but he’s lost his familiy and his ability to play basketball. That’s a tremendous amount of hardship for any person to take. Think about that, the two things he’s been devoted to his entire life are gone and from what I’ve read his Dad was his best friend. Now I don’t know what will happen with the scholarships but this team is solid to the core with talent. There will be room and opportunities for more talent in the future but I expect that Austin…by his mere presence will inspire those around him.
For me, I hope he gets a sports scholarship for 4 years…sometimes there are more important things in life than winning a basketball game. I trust this school and JB will do what’s right and we’ll never know.
My mom had cancer when I was young, sports and mostly basketball was my outlet…sorry if this hits home for me.