OTTAWA — After a seven-month battle with a rare form of cancer, 7-year-old Cole Hayden of Ottawa passed away Saturday. The University of Kansas football team had befriended Cole, whose mother works as an academic and career advisor for the team, in recent months, and expressed their sadness and sympathy for the family after hearing the news. “It is with great sadness that I share our program has suffered a tremendous loss,” said Ku head coach David Beaty via Twitter. “Our talented, smart, funny, kind-hearted Cole Hyden has gotten his angel wings. Our hearts are broken for his amazing parents, Shanda and Steve. The courage Cole showed us every single day is what will inspire us to move forward. W e are forever blessed to be a part of #teamcole.” “His strength was unmatched and he fought more than any child could as long as he could,” Cole’s mother, Shanda Hayden said on a web page devoted to Cole’s struggle.
Tuesday, Dec. 13, 3 p.m.
