Austin Hatch, 2-Time Plane Crash Survivor, Scores 1st Career Point

Michigan freshman Austin Hatch overcame more than most people do in a lifetime just to get to college and play basketball. He got his first point for Michigan on Monday.

The Michigan bench erupted as if Austin Hatch had hit a game-winner.

It actually gave the Wolverines a 22-point lead over Coppin State late in Monday’s 72-56 win, but that didn’t make it insignificant.

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Hatch survived a plane crash in 2003 that killed his mother and two siblings. In 2011, he was in another crash, one that claimed his father and stepmother and left him in a coma for eight weeks with a broken collarbone and a punctured lung.

The second crash came two weeks after the 6-foot-6 forward had committed to play at Michigan.

Wolverines coach John Beilein was at the hospital with Hatch, so seeing the freshman score his first point was big, according to Mlive.com.

"“He’s in the official scorebook now,” Beilein said. “I’m glad he was able to just get in there and get to the line and put one in.”"

Hatch had scored on a foul shot in a November exhibition game against Wayne State, but this was his first point in an official game.

"“I’m glad they called that foul on us,” said Coppin State coach Michael Grant said. “He got to the free throw line. I was hoping he made all three.”"

Grant is the brother of former Michigan star Gary Grant.

Michigan freshman Austin Hatch overcame more than most people do in a lifetime just to get to college and play basketball. He got his first point for Michigan on Monday.

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