Michigan's Austin Hatch moving on from player to medical scholarship

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Austin Hatch will no longer play on Michigan's basketball team, the school announced Monday.

Instead, Hatch will move to a medical scholarship and become an undergrad student assistant.

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"This is, and has been, a very difficult decision; one that we have been discussing with Austin over the last few months," Michigan coach John Beilein said in a statement. "Together, we made this decision at the end of the season and have been waiting for approval from the Big Ten for his status change. With the request for a medical exemption waiver approved (April 27), we are ready to move forward with the next steps in Austin's career."

Hatch, 20, was well-known at Michigan despite his limited playing time. He is a survivor of two separate plane crashes that killed five of his family members.

While he will no longer be allowed to play in games, he will still have a role on the team.

"What makes this move equally important is, with NCAA rules, it allows Austin to continue to be a valuable asset to our team as a leader, mentor and assistant," Beilein said. "As a student assistant coach, Austin will be allowed to continue to be engaged in our practice and training and to travel with us when it can fit into his academic schedule. The only real change will be that he will no longer be on our active roster or allowed to play in games.

"Austin remains an important part of our program and culture, even if we do not have that chance to see him compete again."

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The freshman guard, who scored one point while appearing in five games last season, also released a statement on his decision.

"Basketball has always been a huge part of my life, however, it is what I play, not who I am," said Hatch. "It was a goal of mine to return to the game that I love so much and I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to play for Michigan. After all that I have been through, it was a dream come true for me to put on a Michigan jersey and get into a game at Crisler Center.

"As I have progressed through this first season, I know that I am not where I want to be, both academically and athletically. My priority is academics and I feel that it is in my best interest to devote more time to my studies. This decision honors my father, and it is something that I know he would agree with and be proud of me for making.

"Coach Beilein, the staff and my teammates have been so understanding of my situation. They have supported me through everything I have been through and I now view them as part of my extended family. My words cannot, and would not, adequately express my gratitude for all they have done and continue to do for me.

"I am honored to be, and will be, a part of the Michigan Basketball program going forward — in whatever capacity my studies allow me to be. I am a Michigan Wolverine for life. Again, I am honored and truly grateful that I am in a position to say that."

Hatch's transition to a student assistant also frees up a scholarship for Beilein to use which may help the Wolverines land a top recruit. The spring signing period, which concludes on May 20, is ratcheting up a notch in intensity this week.

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Jordan Heck is a social media producer at Sporting News