Many people involved in soccer in America mourned the loss of Galaxy President and General Manager Doug Hamilton, who passed away on Thursday. Here are some of the reactions:
Don Garber, Major League Soccer Commissioner:
"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."
John Guppy, Chicago Fire President and CEO:
"Doug was a great friend and a true inspiration for everyone associated with American soccer. I am still in shock and at a loss for words. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."
Kevin Payne, D.C. United President and CEO:
"The loss of Doug Hamilton is a tragedy for all of us in the soccer community in America. Doug was a visionary leader of our sport and a tireless worker in furthering soccer in America. For me personally, the shocking news leaves a deep sense of grief. Doug was not only a professional colleague for whom I had the greatest respect, but was a very dear personal friend. All of us at D.C. United extend our sympathies to the Los Angeles Galaxy, AEG and most of all, to Doug Hamilton's family; his wife Paige, his son Aedan and his brother Stephen. Our thoughts and prayers are with them today."
Peter Wilt, former Chicago Fire President and General Manager:
"His family lost a loving brother, father and husband. Those who knew him lost a loyal compatriot with a great sense of humor and the league lost its sharpest and most dedicated leader. I lost a friend whom i respected like no one else in our sport. All in soccer in this country are poorer today without him. We must all work that much harder the rest of the way, for now we are playing a man down. Peace unto you 'H'."
Antonio Cué, Chivas USA President and Co-Owner:
"I was very fortunate to have known Doug Hamilton during the past two years. Doug was a wonderful human being, a fierce competitor, and someone from whom we all had much to learn. My heart goes out to his family and to the entire Galaxy organization. He will be sorely missed."
Dave Sarachan, Chicago Fire Head Coach:
"Obviously, we're all stunned and saddended by the news. In our small fraternity of colleagues within soccer, I've known Doug for a number of years, and he was without a doubt a rising star in the U.S. soccer scene. Along with that, he was a great professional and a personal friend. Our thought and prayers go out to his family and friends."
Steve Pastorino, Real Salt Lake General Manager:
"Few people know that Doug paid a visit to Salt Lake in the summer of 2004 to lend advice to our start-up process before the Real Salt Lake name was even born. He cared so much about this league and wanted us to be successful. I'm proud to say he was a friend of ours. But much, much more than that - he was a gentleman who exemplified what MLS needs from its leaders. Our deepest condolences to Paige, Aedan, Stephen and the rest of Doug's family."
Whit Haskel, Chivas USA General Manager and Senior Vice President (as told to the Los Angeles Times:
"I'm one of many people who owe Doug a lot. Doug built an unbelievable organization. The Galaxy needed some incredible leadership and Doug came in and he gave it that. He knew exactly what he wanted. He was a very honest and direct manager. There was another side to Hamilton, though. As a father and friend, he was a really caring guy. He was a friend. I owe him so much. One other thing that struck me about Doug from the start was the amazing respect that he had from people throughout the soccer community - players, administrators and fans."
Nelson E. Bobb, Director of Athletics at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, whose tenure began while Hamilton was a soccer player at UNCG:
"It is a sad day for Spartan athletics. Doug rose to the top of the ranks in professional soccer and was always a friend to our soccer program and this University. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Paige, son Aedan and other family members. He will be dearly missed by many in the soccer community."
Michael Parker, UNCG Men's Soccer Coach, who coached Hamilton in 1985:
"It goes without saying that I was shocked to get the news of Doug's passing. You just don't expect that sort of thing happening to your former players. Doug was arguably one of my most successful alumni and we were very proud of what he had accomplished. We shall miss him greatly."
Eddie Radwanski, UNCG Women's Soccer Coach, who was a teammate of Hamilton's at UNCG:
"Obviously, we are all stunned and shocked at the news we received late last night. I was just with Doug at The Home Depot Center back in January. Doug's passing is a huge tragedy and our thoughts are with his wife Paige and his entire family. Doug was great for soccer in this country and a great friend of our program. He was the personality glue for those national championship teams. He was a great friend and a wonderful human being. 'H' just had a knack for bringing people together and he displayed that throughout his successful business career. He will be deeply missed."
Chris Petrucelli, University of Texas Women's Soccer Coach, also a teammate of Hamilton's at UNCG:
"The soccer community has suffered a great loss. Doug was heavily involved in all different levels of the game. He was a talented executive, proved himself to be a great coach and was also a great father and a great friend. All of us who had the pleasure of knowing Doug are suffering right now."
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
