CARSON, Calif. - From his days playing backyard soccer as a youth and anchoring a defense while in college to his time as an architect of one of Major League Soccer's most successful clubs, Doug Hamilton never changed. To those who knew him best, he was Doug, Dougie or simply 'H', and success was simply a by-product of his hard work.
More than 1,000 friends, family and colleagues remembered Hamilton fondly at The Home Depot Center on Wednesday afternoon at the very same site where the club celebrated its MLS Cup 2005 victory just a few months ago. Hamilton died of a heart attack in Costa Rica last Thursday after seeing his club play in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup the night before.
While the scoreboard flashed images of the Galaxy's title celebration, childhood friends remembered Hamilton as a caring friend who never forgot his roots.
"My family had the opportunity to see (Hamilton) grow from a bee-stung little boy to a great player, top-notch coach, a loving husband and father and finally to a successful leader," Matty Stephens said. "All the while he simply remained Doug, unchanged by success, never forgetting a friend, always staying in touch and always be there in a moment's notice ... He was a great guy. You couldn't be around Doug and not feel that way."
The crowd took up three sections in the stadium's northeast corner as Hamilton's family and close friends sat in chairs on the field. Joining Galaxy players and coaches in the stands were former Galaxy and current Columbus coach Sigi Schmid, Chicago Fire coach Dave Sarachan as well as Chivas USA coach Bob Bradley and his entire team. Also in attendance were U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena and MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
Hamilton was also remembered as a soccer visionary.
"His passion for life, his vision for greatness, his joy for the sport we all love and his love for the family and the Galaxy, his commitment to our company and to our league was unbelievable," Anschutz Entertainment Group CEO Tim Leiweke said.
Stephens thanked AEG, who own the Galaxy, on behalf of Hamilton's family and closest friends, for the way the company has responded in the days following Hamilton's death.
"The true test of the character of the organization and its people is how they react when faced with adversity. You handled this tragedy like true champions," Stephens said. "You're a world-class organization and I'd like to thank you for the love and support you've shown this family."
That Hamilton would affect so many people was to be expected, childhood friend Tommy Kain said. From his days as a young soccer player, Kain said he saw first-hand the leadership qualities that would mark his success in the business world.
"In order to achieve success, 'H' always demanded the best of himself and he encouraged us to do the same," Kain said. "He brought us together, helped us find a direction and pushed us or willed us into action. He could be tough, direct and to the point but he cared and believed we could all help to do special things."
Stephens called Hamilton a "brother" and "mentor."
"I stayed out of trouble because Doug stayed out of trouble," he said. "Fortunately Doug chose the right path from the wrong one and I followed."
Although Hamilton had marked success as an executive, he will be remembered as a family man who cared deeply about his wife Paige and 5-year-old son Aedan, Rev. Jonathan Chute said. Prior to leaving to Costa Rica for the Galaxy's Champions' Cup match a week ago, Hamilton dropped Aedan off at the nursery of the Rolling Hills Methodist Church, where Chute presides. With his family at the church, Hamilton went home and left a note for both his wife and son.
"He left each of them a note on their pillow telling them to be good until he got home. As far as I know, that will still hold," Chute said. "His family brought unimaginable joy to him. You could say that he was a committed father and husband but that almost makes it sound like if it was an obligation of some kind. He wasn't so much committed to his family as he was in love with them."
Hamilton was a strong influence in the lives of many people. Instead of questioning the loss, Leiweke said people should treasure their memories of Hamilton.
"Doug was our blessing. Today and forever, we will celebrate that blessing," Leiweke said. "We should not think 'Why?' but 'Thank God for this blessing, for this friend, for this leader, for this son, for this husband and father, for this angel.'"
Also on Wednesday, the league announced that it will memorialize Hamilton by renaming the Executive of the Year award he won each of the past three years the Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year award. In addition, a moment of silence will be held during the ESPN2 broadcast of the Galaxy's season-opening contest against the New England Revolution on April 1 at The Home Depot Center, and a broadcast tribute will recall his legacy with the Galaxy and MLS.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
