MLS Cup and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup -- this past season.
"His passion was the Galaxy," said Los Angeles head coach Steve Sampson. "In retrospect, it's fitting that we won a championship for him this last year because I think he was so passionate about this team and loved every single player and the organization.
"I believe [Hamilton is] one of the true pioneers of the game and one that will be dearly dearly missed. I mean, this team is in absolute shock right now."
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of the leaders of American soccer and a truly terrific individual," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "The thoughts and prayers of all of MLS, our teams, our players and our fans are with the Hamilton family. Doug will be dearly missed as his legacy of passion and dedication to the sport will always be remembered."
A former player and coach himself and one of the brightest soccer minds in the league, Hamilton worked closely with Galaxy head coaches Sigi Schmid and Sampson -- who replaced Schmid late in the 2004 season -- to craft a championship caliber club. Prior to the start of the 2005 campaign, Hamilton executed a trade that sent prolific striker Carlos Ruiz to FC Dallas in exchange for an allocation that allowed the club to sign U.S. national team star Landon Donovan. The move paid immediate dividends as Donovan led the team to the title.
"He not only understood the business but understood the technical side as well, which is very rare in our sport," Sampson said.
In addition to his aptitude for soccer, Hamilton was an intelligent businessman capable of making the most out of one of the league's flagship teams and its state-of-the-art facility, The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
The stadium opened during the 2003 season, and the following year the club was a massive success at the gate, pulling in an average of 23,809 fans a game and setting a club record for capacity crowds. The team also set an MLS mark for consistency, drawing more than 20,000 fans for 13 of its 15 home games.
Last season, the Galaxy again outdid themselves, drawing an average of just over 24,000 a game for the MLS regular season; seven of the club's 16 home games were sellouts, setting a new club record, and 15 were played before crowds of at least 20,000.
Hamilton proved adept at drawing in corporate partners in addition to fans. From the beginning of 2002 to June 2003, the club's corporate sponsorship skyrocketed 40 percent. Another 25 percent jump came in 2004, and that growth only continued in 2005. Additionally, prior to last season, the club reached an agreement with FSN West and FSN West 2 that was the first regional television rights deals for which the club received a rights fee from the broadcaster.
Hamilton also brokered an international partnership with Brazilian club Sao Paulo Futebol Clube and spearheaded the development of relationships with Southland youth soccer organizations, including a deal with the Coast Soccer League that provides free training for area youths in various age groups. Hamilton has also helped develop the Galaxy's relationship with the local Hispanic market.
Prior to joining the Galaxy, Hamilton spent two years as the Executive VP and General Manager of the Miami Fusion. Over the course of his tenure with the Fusion, the club saw a near 50 percent increase in attendance and won the 2001 MLS Supporters' Shield as the club with the best regular season record.
Hamilton also spent six years working for adidas America prior to his time with MLS, holding the posts of Director of Sports Marketing Latin America and, prior to that, Business Unit Manager of soccer as well as basketball. In 1997, he won both the Global Soccer Business Unit of the Year Award and the adidas America Business Unit of the Year awards, two honors given by adidas International and adidas America.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Hamilton received a B.A. in Physical Education. While at UNCG, Hamilton was a member of two NCAA Division III national championship teams and earned All Region First Team and Dixie Conference First Team honors in 1985. From 1987 to 1990, he was the head coach of the Greensboro College men's soccer team, posting a 59-22-4 record in four seasons.
Hamilton is survived by his wife Paige and his five-year-old son Aedan.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
