GameDay Network

Austin Hatch - Loyola (CA) Forward - Highlights/Interview

July 21, 2018
After tragically losing five family members in two plane crashes, Austin Hatch has survived them both. His long recovery from the latest crash has been inspiring to his new teammates at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, CA. Hatch will attend the University of Michigan.
Austin Hatch, a senior at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, has endured a heartbreaking yet inspiring journey. After triumphing over the tragic loss of his mother and siblings in a plane crash, Austin led his high school basketball team to a state championship and earned a scholarship to the University of Michigan. Unfortunately, tragedy struck again when Austin was involved in another plane crash, which claimed the lives of his father and stepmother and left him with a traumatic brain injury. Despite facing immense challenges, Austin has made a remarkable physical recovery, astounding his doctors. Although he may not reach his previous level of athletic dominance, Austin's determination to continue playing basketball remains unwavering. His decision to relocate to Los Angeles was motivated by the access to top-notch medical professionals and therapists, further enhancing his road to recovery. Watch the video to witness Austin's incredible resilience and inspiring journey.