Setting aside what he did for Football and Tennis which is no small thing. This man did a whole heck of a lot for soccer in the US. I met him twice and each time he was warm, friendly and had the enthusiasm of a fan who just got a free ticket to see his favorite team. Rest in Peace and thank you Lamar for all you did for us US soccer fans.
Commiserations from everyone at Shamrock Rovers Football Club. In 1962 the first ever football game Lamar watched was a Rovers game where, apparently, he met his future wife. A true visionary of the game in the US. RIP
I mentioned in another thread that they should name the field at PHP after him. Maybe a statue at the stadium.....in front of the North Entrance would be perfect. Rest in Peace, Lamar. Thanks for giving us professional soccer. Thanks for believing when pretty much no one else would.
Amazing how just one man can make such an impact on the sport we love. What a amazing life he led and he will be missed. I hope that FCD will honor him with a huge gesture, such as renaming or adding his name to the stadium. I hope his family finds peace and carries on his legacy.
I'm in tears right now... Lamar was one of the most genuine, giving, and encouraging people... ...And our beautiful game would barely even exist without his influence. Of all his accomplishments, the fact that he always remained a decent, selfless individual of humility is his crowning achievement in my book. He is the absolute standard by which other wealthy entrepreneurs should measure their contribution. Farewell, Uncle Lamar... May you enjoy a long-deserved rest in absolute peace.
That's the saddest "Closed" symbol ever, the one under PaulGascoigne's post on the previous thread. Memorial patches on the jerseys - for sure - I'd say they needn't be black ones, though, just my opinion. Lamar had a great life. His spirit, though---I can't think of anyone more deserving to live 100 years. iirc, for many years he was aware of having the illness that eventually took him, yet --- there he was, for instance, warmly welcoming fans at the open house of the new stadium, August '05. Quiet courage. Was it Dallas Cup that came up with the phrase "Pizza Hut Park Stadium" to clear up confusion with the outlying fields? Anyway, maybe Pizza Hut Inc. would be OK with it if the phrase became "Lamar Hunt Stadium at Pizza Hut Park" or else "Lamar Hunt Field at Pizza Hut Park Stadium"? Rest In Peace
NEWS RELEASE www.FCDallas.net FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE STATEMENT FROM CLARK HUNT FRISCO, Texas (Thursday, December 14, 2006) – Statement from Clark Hunt, son of Lamar, and investor-operator in Major League Soccer, the Columbus Crew, and FC Dallas. “At approximately 10 p.m., Wednesday evening, at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas, my father Lamar went to be with the Lord. We are very grateful for the thoughts and prayers we have received over the last few weeks and we ask that our privacy be respected in this difficult time. Information on memorial services will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Dallas Museum of Art and the Heart of a Champion Foundation. Thank you for your continued prayers and support for our family.” Clark Hunt
Thank you, Lamar ... Thank you for introducing me to the beautiful game at Ownby and Texas Stadium ... Thank you for enlivening my Sundays with the Black Hole, Orange Crush, and the Steel Curtain ... Thank you for enabling me to watch El Pibe, El Diablo, the Joker and Papi on US soil week after week ... Thank you for ensuring my kids will also have their own Ownby Stadium experiences ....
Justscore wrote in the other thread, "Mr. Hitchcock had me make a FCD quilt for him and I have a picture of them with the quilt. Lamar was given the quilt at the MLS Cup game during the 2nd half when it got a bit chilly. Hitch said Lamar was touched by his gesture and loved the FCD quilt." Then I read this in one of the DMN articles: Garber said his most indelible memory of Hunt occurred last month. Hunt sat in the stands, wrapped in a blanket, on a crisp Nov. 11 afternoon in Frisco, as Houston defeated New England in the MLS Cup final. The game was played in the soccer-specific facility, Pizza Hut Park, that Hunt championed by meeting with Frisco community and school district leaders and drumming up support. "It warmed my heart," Garber said of the MLS final. "And it was something I'll never forget."
Mr. Hunt was as kind and gracious as they come. I'll remember him for that, just as much as I'll remember him for all he's done for those of us who love soccer.
A statue of him overlooking the pitch might be fitting. But, a bigger tribute to the man at the very end of the soccer walk of fame would be best. Comemorative patch idea is good. Like the details of his decisions or not, we are enternally greatful to him and his family for what they have done for the sport. And, they have always behaved in the classiest of ways.
Like some of the examples already posted aside from a statue, I would like to see the stadium or the field named after him... "Lamar Hunt Field @ Pizza Hut Park" or Lamar Hunt Stadium at Pizza Hut Park" "Pizza Hut Park at the Lamar Hunt Soccer Complex" or some such.
The Amercian soccer community (as well as the NFL & tennis community) lost a great man and visionary. There will never be another person like Lamar Hunt. Thank you Mr. Hunt for all the joy that you brought to us for the beautiful game. Your class, charm & presence will be sorely missed. Rest In Peace.