The Diamond at Hamilton Ballpark honors alumnus Jamie Hamilton’s lasting impact
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) officially gave a new name to their decorated baseball team’s home field located in Grand Junction. On April 25, 2025, the field was named The Diamond at Hamilton Ballpark in honor of Jamie Hamilton, who played baseball for the Mavericks from 1975 to 1978.
Hamilton was inducted into the Colorado Mesa Hall of Honor in 1997 for his outstanding athletic and academic contributions to CMU. His success in the sport continued long after his college career. He went on to play professional Minor League Baseball and served as an assistant coach, trustee and athletic director at CMU. As a longtime resident of the Western Slope, Hamilton was a huge contributor to the JUCO (Junior College) Baseball National Championship and even spent time on the JUCO Committee.
“The idea of paying it forward...my mom and dad both taught me about that. They told me about stories of people that helped them out, and they worked their life to make sure they took care of the next person that needed help. And they instilled that in me,” said Hamilton, reflecting on his name being selected to represent CMU baseball’s home turf.
The field was built in 2022 as part of the Bus Bergman Sports Complex. This project also included a new softball field, track and field facility and a football practice field. The Diamond at Hamilton Ballpark provides every opportunity for CMU’s baseball team to be successful. The field itself is well maintained and contains state-of-the-art locker rooms, new batting cages, in-ground dugouts and nets surrounding the infield to provide more safety. There is also plenty of seating to host fans that want to cheer on the Mavericks.
“Honestly, I can remember when this field was here, and we didn’t have a water fountain,” Hamilton added. “I mean just think about how much we’ve grown. But more importantly, the number of student athletes that have been on this field, whether it is Colorado Mesa, or JUCO, or high school, being able to use the facility and to be associated with Bus Bergman who was my coach, it’s phenomenal.”
Hamilton’s outstanding contributions to CMU speak volumes to the university and baseball program. Since Hamilton first became a Maverick 50 years ago, he has poured time, energy and funds into all aspects of the university. When CMU President John Marshall took the task of renaming the diamond, it didn’t take much convincing to select Hamilton to etch his name in the history books one last time.
“He’s poured back into this university in every conceivable manner as our athletic director, as a coach, as a trustee. He has just been there at every turn and literally at every role he could...often times when no one was looking,” Marshall commented. “Just supporting this university, supporting the students of this university for years and what a fitting way to recognize him here at The Diamond.”
Jamie Hamilton has always been a meaningful part of CMU’s history. On April 25, the university got the chance to honor him in return. Surrounded by family and other familiar faces, Hamilton threw out the ceremonial first pitch, officially kicking off the game. He then watched the Mavericks secure a 9-2 win over Rollins College — the perfect ending to a day celebrating a legacy that continues to shape CMU.
