During the previous baseball season, Cottonwood baseball head coach Travis Steed was asked about his interest in participating in a tournament to honor the late Kian Hamilton. 

Once coach Steed confirmed he’d have enough boys to play that August, further details were finalized. 

“Come cheer on our boys and support a great cause,” said Steed, urging the public to help raise awareness for Kian Hamilton, a Jordan High freshman and baseball player who passed away in August 2024. 

On Saturday, Aug. 23, courtesy of logistical support from Cottonwood High that agreed to host most of the games in Pool B, the Kindness Conquers Hate Memorial Tournament got underway. Additionally the Marshall Gates Foundation provided a Home Run Derby after the tournament concluded. 

The tournament was also created to help raise funds for the family of Hamilton, a 16-year-old freshman slain Aug. 23, 2024 in a stabbing outside Sandy’s Mountain America Expo Center. According to a statement from Sandy City Police, an altercation between Hamilton’s group and another group resulted in an injury. Once medical personnel arrived on scene the “fire department personnel confirmed a juvenile male had been stabbed. The juvenile male was transported to a local hospital where, despite lifesaving efforts, (Hamilton) succumbed to his injuries.” 

The day after Hamilton passed away, a GoFundMe was launched to support his family in their time of need. 

“On August 23, we tragically lost Kian Hamilton to an act of violence. Our family is reaching out to ask for your support as we cope with the sudden and devastating loss of our beloved son, brother, nephew, cousin, grandson and friend. Kian had a loving spirit and a kind heart. His smile was infectious, and he had a special gift for making people laugh,” read the opening statement on Kian’s GoFundMe. “He had a passion for baseball and cherished spending time with his friends and family. To everyone who knew Kian, he was a bright, intelligent young man with his whole life ahead of him. His mother, father and extended family will need love, support, counseling and your prayers as they grieve this inconsolable loss.” 

Hamilton, a Jordan High School student-athlete, also played on the Beetdiggers’ baseball team. To date, the GoFundMe created on his family’s behalf has raised $26,900. 

In addition, a foundation called the Kian Carmello Hamilton Foundation was created in Kian’s name. In short, it shared more about the slain 16-year-old’s life. “Kian had dreams bigger than most. He loved baseball, music and making people laugh. His favorite number was nine, and he wore it with pride on his jersey at Jordan High School,” it read. “Kian was the kind of young man who stood up for others, reached out to those who felt alone, and carried himself with quiet courage and kindness.”

Cottonwood opened the tournament on its home field against Jordan High School at 8 a.m. sharp following a short ceremony honoring the late baseball player. 

At 10:30 a.m., the Colts hosted Club Hardball, a mix of kids from different area high schools, for the second game of the tournament. Cottonwood wrapped up play at Brighton at 2:30 p.m.

The prize? A chance to play in the championship game of this first Kian Hamilton Memorial Tournament, but also to continue to remember the friend, teammate and brother and son lost far too soon.