Who is Lyle Thompson and why is he considered a lacrosse legend. How has Lyle Thompson influenced the sport of lacrosse. What are Lyle Thompson’s most significant achievements in lacrosse.
The Rise of Lyle Thompson: A Lacrosse Prodigy
Lyle Thompson’s journey to becoming a lacrosse legend began long before his collegiate career. Born into the Onondaga Nation, a Native American tribe with deep roots in lacrosse, Thompson was destined to excel in the sport. His natural talent, combined with a strong work ethic and deep respect for the game’s cultural significance, set the stage for his remarkable achievements.
Thompson’s skills were evident from an early age, catching the attention of coaches and scouts. His high school career was marked by numerous accolades and record-breaking performances, foreshadowing the impact he would have at the collegiate level and beyond.
Early Influences and Cultural Significance
Thompson’s upbringing played a crucial role in shaping his approach to lacrosse. In the Onondaga culture, lacrosse is more than just a sport; it’s a spiritual practice and a connection to their heritage. This deep-rooted respect for the game instilled in Thompson a sense of purpose that transcended mere athletic achievement.
- Learned the game from family members and tribal elders
- Embraced the spiritual and cultural aspects of lacrosse
- Developed a unique playing style that blended traditional and modern techniques
Record-Breaking College Career at UAlbany
Lyle Thompson’s time at the University at Albany (UAlbany) was nothing short of extraordinary. His collegiate career was marked by unprecedented success and numerous records that may stand for generations to come.
Tewaaraton Trophy Dominance
Thompson made history by becoming the first-ever back-to-back male recipient of the Tewaaraton Trophy, the most prestigious individual award in college lacrosse. This achievement alone solidified his status as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history.
NCAA Division I Records
During his time at UAlbany, Thompson shattered long-standing NCAA Division I records:
- Career points: 400
- Career assists: 225
- Points per game: Led Division I for three consecutive seasons
- Single-season points: 128 (2014) and 121 (2015), the two highest totals in Division I history
These records demonstrate not only Thompson’s individual brilliance but also his ability to elevate the play of his teammates, a hallmark of truly great players.
Awards and Recognitions
Thompson’s trophy case grew exponentially during his college years. Some of his most notable accolades include:
- USILA Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award for DI Outstanding Player of the Year (2014, 2015)
- First Team All-America Honors
- America East Player of the Year
- America East All-Conference First Team
- America East Fans’ Choice Player of the Year
- America East Championship Most Outstanding Player
The Impact of Lyle Thompson on Modern Lacrosse
Lyle Thompson’s influence on lacrosse extends far beyond his statistical achievements. His playing style, leadership, and commitment to the sport’s cultural roots have left an indelible mark on lacrosse at all levels.
Revolutionizing Offensive Play
Thompson’s unique blend of traditional Native American techniques and modern lacrosse strategies has revolutionized offensive play. His ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates has inspired a new generation of players to think creatively and push the boundaries of what’s possible on the field.
Elevating the Profile of Native American Players
As a proud member of the Onondaga Nation, Thompson has used his platform to bring attention to the contributions of Native American players to the sport. His success has opened doors for other Indigenous athletes and raised awareness about the cultural significance of lacrosse in Native communities.
Professional Career and Continued Excellence
Following his illustrious college career, Lyle Thompson transitioned seamlessly into professional lacrosse. Drafted first overall in the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) First Year Player Draft by the Florida Launch, Thompson quickly established himself as one of the premier players in the professional ranks.
Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) Success
In 2022, Thompson led the Premier Lacrosse League in points (44) and one-point goals (26), showcasing his continued dominance at the highest level of the sport. His performances have been instrumental in growing the popularity of professional lacrosse and attracting new fans to the game.
Decision to Step Away in 2023
In a surprising move, Thompson announced his decision to step away from the PLL for the 2023 season. This decision, while unexpected, reflects Thompson’s commitment to his personal well-being and his desire to focus on his family and community.
Paul Rabil, PLL co-founder and president, expressed support for Thompson’s decision, stating, “While we will miss Lyle’s leadership and play on the field, we respect his decision to put his family and health first.” This statement underscores the respect Thompson commands within the lacrosse community, both for his on-field contributions and his off-field integrity.
The Philosophy Behind Thompson’s Game
Lyle Thompson’s approach to lacrosse is deeply rooted in his cultural heritage and personal philosophy. His view of the game as “medicine” that should be played with respect, a clear mind, and enjoyment reflects a holistic approach that has contributed to his success and longevity in the sport.
Balancing Competition and Well-being
Thompson’s decision to take a break from professional play in 2023 highlights the importance of balance in an athlete’s life. By prioritizing his mental and emotional well-being, Thompson sets an example for other athletes facing the pressures of high-level competition.
Commitment to Community
Throughout his career, Thompson has remained committed to giving back to his community and promoting the cultural significance of lacrosse. His work off the field, including youth clinics and advocacy for Indigenous rights, demonstrates the power of sports to effect positive change.
The Legacy of Lyle Thompson
As Lyle Thompson steps away from professional play for the 2023 season, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the lasting impact he has had on the sport of lacrosse. His legacy extends far beyond his impressive statistics and accolades, touching on aspects of cultural preservation, sportsmanship, and the evolution of the game itself.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Thompson’s success has inspired countless young players, particularly those from Native American communities, to pursue their dreams in lacrosse. His story serves as a powerful example of how one can achieve greatness while staying true to one’s cultural roots and personal values.
Advancing the Sport
Through his innovative play and commitment to excellence, Thompson has played a significant role in advancing the sport of lacrosse. His contributions have helped to elevate the level of play, increase fan engagement, and grow the sport’s popularity both in North America and internationally.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Lyle Thompson and Lacrosse
While Thompson’s absence from the PLL in 2023 will undoubtedly be felt, his stated intention to return in 2024 gives fans and fellow players something to look forward to. As he takes this time to focus on himself, his family, and his community, the lacrosse world eagerly anticipates his return to the field.
Potential Impact on Future Generations
Thompson’s decision to prioritize his well-being could have far-reaching effects on how athletes approach their careers and personal lives. By demonstrating that it’s possible to step back from competition without diminishing one’s legacy, Thompson may inspire other players to make similar choices when needed.
The Evolving Landscape of Professional Lacrosse
As the sport continues to grow and evolve, players like Lyle Thompson will play a crucial role in shaping its future. The increasing prominence of professional leagues like the PLL, combined with the cultural significance of lacrosse in Native communities, presents unique opportunities and challenges for the sport’s development.
Lyle Thompson’s journey in lacrosse is far from over. As he takes this break to recharge and refocus, the lacrosse community remains grateful for his contributions and excited for what the future holds. His legacy as a player, cultural ambassador, and role model ensures that his impact on the sport will be felt for generations to come.
Lyle Thompson Stepping Away from PLL for 2023 Season
Lyle Thompson Stepping Away from PLL for 2023 Season | USA Lacrosse Magazine
Skip to main content
Lyle Thompson Stepping Away from PLL for 2023 Season
Mon May 15 2023 | Kenny DeJohn | Pro
PLL Cannons
PHOTO COURTESY OF PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE
Lyle Thompson led the PLL with 44 points in 2022.
Lyle Thompson, one of the brightest stars and most respected people in lacrosse, has decided to step away from the Premier Lacrosse League for the 2023 season. He announced his decision on Monday, citing the desire to focus on himself, his family and his community.
“While we will miss Lyle’s leadership and play on the field, we respect his decision to put his family and health first,” PLL co-founder and president Paul Rabil said. “Lyle’s someone who has demonstrated the ability to put absolutely everything he has into his craft — and for over a decade, the game has greatly benefited from that characteristic. I think I can speak for the entire lacrosse community by saying we look forward to seeing him back on a PLL field soon.”
Thompson led the PLL in points (44) in 2022. He also led the league in one-point goals (26). The Cannons, which have undergone an offseason makeover under new head coach Brian Holman, will now play without their best offensive asset. Thompson said in a statement that he intends on re-joining the team in 2024.
Continue below to read the full statement from Thompson.
After much thought and consideration, I’ve decided to take a break from the PLL for the 2023 season.
I’ve dedicated the past 15 years of my life to playing lacrosse year-round. I am grateful that my love for the game has provided me the opportunity to play at the highest level and do so continuously.
For me, the game should always be medicine, and it comes with instruction to be played with respect, a clear mind, and enjoyment. I want to follow these instructions and sometimes that requires rest.
So this summer, I will direct my energy to myself, my family, and my communities.
I want to sincerely thank all of my fans, the lacrosse community, my amazing Cannons teammates and the PLL for their understanding and support. I look forward to re-joining the Boom Squad for the 2024 season and picking up where I left off.
Nyawek – Thank You
Cannons
Lyle Thompson Stepping Away from PLL for 2023 Season
May 15 2023 | Kenny DeJohn
Cannons
Brian Holman Named Cannons LC Head Coach
Feb 6 2023 | Kenny DeJohn
Best of Lax 2022
Best of Lax 2022: Vote for Best Men’s Record-Breaker
Dec 13 2022 | Kenny DeJohn
Best of Lax 2022
Best of Lax 2022: Vote for Best Advocate
Dec 12 2022 | Kenny DeJohn
Twitter Posts
Tweets by USLacrosse
Copyright © USA Lacrosse Magazine
Weekly Newsletter
Get the best and latest from USLaxMagazine.
com delivered weekly straight to your inbox.
Lyle Thompson – 2015 – Men’s Lacrosse
The official site of the ualbany great danes
-
Bio -
Related -
Stats -
Historical
Biography
2015:
• First-ever back-to-back male recipient of the Tewaaraton Trophy for men’s lacrosse player of the year
• Set new NCAA Division I record for career points (400) and assists (225)
• Earned USILA Lt.
Raymond J. Enners Award for DI Outstanding Player of the Year for second-straight season, earning First Team All-America Honors
• America East Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team, Fans’ Choice Player of the Year and Championship Most Outstanding Player
• Drafted first overall in the Major League Lacrosse First Year Player Draft by the Florida Launch
• Finished with 121 points, the second-highest single season total in DI history only to his own mark of 128 in 2014
• Led all of Division I in points per game (6.37) for third-straight season and assists per game (3.63)
• Started all 19 games at attack, tallying 52 goals, 69 assists and 44 ground balls
• Two-time America East Player of the Week
• Named a midseason and preseason All-American by Inside Lacrosse and Lacrosse Magazine
• Earned multiple points in all 19 UAlbany games, finishing career with a 45-game point scoring streak
• Assisted six of UAlbany’s 10 goals in 10-9 victory vs.
UMass (3/7)
• UAlbany record 10 assists at Stony Brook (3/14), adding two goals for 12 points, ranking second in UAlbany single game history
• Followed with 10 points off three goals and seven assists in road win at Canisius (3/17)
• Career-high and UAlbany single game record nine goals, adding three points to match career-high 12 points in 21-18 victory at Harvard (3/25)
• Tallied seven points off four goals and three assists at Syracuse (4/2)
• Pair of six-assist games in a row in road victories at Vermont (4/4) and Binghamton (4/11)
• Tied NCAA career points record with goal at Binghamton (4/11)
• Set new record with assist to Connor Fields in road win at Bryant (4/14)
• Three goals and four assists for seven points in UAlbany’s victory over #7 Yale (4/18)
• Couple of five goal performances in the AE Tournament, including four assists for nine points vs. Hartford (4/30)
• Three goals and six assists in NCAA Tournament victory at Cornell (5/9)
• Ended career with a goal and four assists in NCAA Tournament game vs.
Notre Dame (5/16)
2014:
• Co-Tewaraaton Trophy recipient with brother Miles Thompson
• USILA Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award (DI Outstanding Player of the Year) and Lt. Col. J.L. (Jack) Turnbull Award (DI Most Outstanding Attackman)
• Set new NCAA single season points record at 128, matched NCAA single season assists record with 77, adding 51 goals
• USILA First Team All-American
• America East Player of the Year, All-America East First Team, America East All-Tournament Team
• Became UAlbany all-time assists leader, totaling 156 through the 2013-14 season
• Led all of Division I in points per game at 7.11 and assists per game at 4.28 (1.16 more than second-place person), 11th in DI and third in America East in goals per game at 2.83 and 15th in DI in shot percentage at .440
• Finished with 51 goals, 77 assists, 48 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers
• Scored at least four points in all 18 UAlbany games, at least six points in 16 of 18 UAlbany games
• 5+ assists in 10 games, 4+ goals in six games
• Two-time America East Player of the Week
• Brine DI Player of the Week after netting four goals and seven assists for career-high 11 points at UMass (3/8)
• Three goals and five assists in road win at Penn State (3/22)
• Career-best eight assists in home win over Stony Brook (4/12)
• At least eight points in five-straight games from 4/22-5/10, starting with six goals and two assists vs.
Siena (4/22), six goals and four assists for 10 points vs. Binghamton (4/26)
• Scored game-tying goal with five seconds left in regulation and game-winning assist in America East Semifinal overtime victory over Stony Brook (5/1)
• Three goals, five assists and five ground balls facing Tewaaraton finalist defender Joe Fletcher in NCAA Tournament win over Loyola (5/10)
• Six points off three goals and three assists in NCAA Tournament game vs. Notre Dame (5/17)
• Selected as Inside Lacrosse and Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Division I Player of the Year
2013:
• Selected as one of five finalists for the 2013 Tewaaraton Award
• First Team All-American
• America East Player of the Year
• Broke the school record for points in a season with 113 (two points shy of the NCAA record set by Steve Marahol)
• Broke the school record for assists in a season with 63
• Led the nation in points per game with 6.
65, second in assists per game with 3.71
• Tallied eight points or more in eight different games
• Recorded a career-best 11 points on four goals and seven assists vs. UMBC (4/19)
• Named America East Player of the Week three times (2/11-2/17) (3/04-3/10) (3/26-31)
• Tallied eight points on two goals and six assists in season opener at #13 Syracuse (2/17)
2012:
• America East Conference All-Rookie Team
• Played in all 16 games with six starts
• Recorded 22 goals and 16 assists
• Took 32 faceoffs, winning 13
• Picked up 39 ground balls
• Had a career high of five goals in the game against UMBC (5/2)
• Scored at least once in 14 out of the 16 matches for the Great Danes
• Scored one goal to lead the Iroquois U19 National Team to a 15-13 win over USA at the Federation of International Lacrosse U19 World Championships
High School: Comes to UAlbany as the top recruit in the nation… 2011 Under Armour All-American.
.. Four-year letterwinner at LaFayette… Scored 66 goals and added 54 assists as a senior… Finished career with 511 total points… Three-time First All-Time All-Central New York… League MVP and First-Team All-Northern honoree.
Personal: Major is sociology… Son of Jerome and Deloris Thompson… Has a sister, Crystal, and three brothers, Jeremy, Jerome Jr. and Miles… Brother, Jeremy, played lacrosse at Syracuse… Brother, Miles, and cousin, Ty, are also members of the UAlbany Squad.
CAREER HIGHS
Points: 12 (2x, last: @ Harvard, Mar. 25, 2015)
Goals: 9 (@ Harvard, Mar. 25, 2015)
Assists: 10 (@ Stony Brook, Mar. 14, 2015)
Ground Balls: 7 (@ Syracuse, Feb. 19, 2012)
Caused Turnovers: 2 (2x, last: vs. UMass Lowell, Mar. 28, 2015)
CAREER STATISTICS
|
Year
|
GP/GS
|
G
|
A
|
PTS
|
GB
|
CT
|
FO
|
|
2012
|
16/6
|
22
|
16
|
38
|
39
|
4
|
13-32
|
|
2013
|
17/17
|
50
|
63
|
113
|
35
|
8
|
—
|
|
2014
|
18/18
|
51
|
77
|
128
|
48
|
15
|
0-3
|
|
2015
|
19/19
|
52
|
69
|
121
|
44
|
8
|
—
|
|
Total
|
70/60
|
175
|
225
|
400
|
166
|
35
|
13-35
|
Statistics
Season:
Season Statistics
Season Statistics
No statistics available for this season.
Career Statistics
There are no statistics available for this player.
Historical Player Information
-
2012Freshman
Midfield
6’0″
180 lbs
-
2013Sophomore
Attack
6’0″
180 lbs
-
2014Junior
Attack
6’0″
180 lbs
-
2015Senior
Attack
6’0″
180 lbs
© 2023 University at Albany.
All rights reserved.
Miles Thompson moved to the injured list
Miles Thompson moved to the injured list
12:35
25 November
Georgia Swarm has already lost several veteran players to retire this off-season. Now here’s another loss.
Unfortunately, now we will not see the three brothers, Miles, Lyle and Jeremy on the court together. Forward “Georgia Swarm” Miles Thompson will miss the season due to injury, he was removed from the active list and transferred to the list of injured reserve players. Recall that Miles also missed last season due to injury, playing in only three matches.
Tags: georgia
Also recommended
11/22/2022, 07:09 PM
“Georgia Swarm” traded their 2023 NLL Fifth Round pick to the 900 03
8-10-2022, 05:49
Although the Colorado Mammoth were able to win last year’s NLL Cup without forward Ryan Lee 10- 2022, 05:13
Eric Malever suffered numerous injuries to his right leg in a fall during training at
12-10-2022, 05:19
“Chaos” has been one of the main topics of discussion in the League over the past few seasons.
This is
Visitors in the group Guests cannot comment on this post.
NEWS FEED
latest
commented
07:26
18 Feb
22:42
15 Feb
22:33
15 Feb
21:30
12 Feb
19:25
12 Feb
17:54
12 Feb
16:54
12 Feb
16:00
Feb 12
13:06
12 Feb
19:08
11 Feb
18:13
11 Feb
17:29
11 Feb
09:50
11 Feb
08:03
11 Feb
21:29
06 Feb
19:28
06 Feb
18:40
06 Feb
22:20
01 Feb
22:13
01 Feb
20:20
Jan 31
04:49
Sep 19
07:26
18 Feb
22:42
15 Feb
22:33
15 Feb
21:30
Feb 12
19:25
12 Feb
17:54
12 Feb
16:54
12 Feb
16:00
12 Feb
13:06
12 Feb
19:08
11 Feb
18:13
11 Feb
17:29
11 Feb
09:50
11 Feb
08:03
11 Feb
21:29
06 Feb
19:28
06 Feb
18:40
06 Feb
22:20
01 Feb
22:13
01 Feb
All lacrosse news →
All Lacrosse.
org/ – site about lacrosse. All news about world lacrosse, reports, reviews, match results. National Lacrosse League, Premier Lacrosse League, World Lacrosse, NCAA Lacrosse, Mann Cup, Minto Cup, MSL, WLA, OJLL, NABLL and other world lacrosse leagues.
Why isn’t the Haudenosaunee Confederation allowed to play lacrosse at the 2022 World Games?
International Sports Competitions, Sports, Sports News, Team Sports / 2022 World Games, Decanavida, Haudenosaunee Confederation, Iroquois Confederacy, Lacrosse, Lyle Thompson, Native American Culture, North America, Peacemaker, Longhouse People / December 5, 2021 / From
JP Cordero
Lacrosse is a team sport considered to be the oldest organized game in North America. It dates back to Native American Indians and was first played in the St. Lawrence Valley. Ironically, even though it comes from Native American culture, why are they excluded from the 2022 World Games?
The organizers of the 2022 World Games excluded the Iroquois team from the men’s lacrosse games despite being the game’s inventors.
They were excluded because they were not considered a “sovereign nation”.
The observations and advice of this article we have prepared based on the experience of the team Haudenosaunee Confederation is known by many names, such as Iroquois Confederacy , Longhouse People , and Iroquois League, five on tions . They were originally formed by the union of the five original nations, Flint People, Standing Stone People, Hill People, Great Swamp People, and Great Hill People. And in 1722 Shirt Men joined the nations .
The Confederation traces its origins to the history of the Decanavids, also known as peacemaker , between 15700 and 1600. The Peacemaker is said to have persuaded Hiawatha, an Onondaga living among the Mohawks, to unite under the rule of peace, civil authority, righteousness, great law, and their equal desire to resist enemy invasion.
Successful union, where 50 leaders dealt with all civil affairs at the intertribal level.
This union was different from other Native American confederations because they were more organized and used elaborate ritual systems to determine leaders and make important decisions. They inhabited the central and upper parts of New York. (Source: British)
Today they are mostly found south of Syracuse, New York and parts of Canada. It is an independent and sovereign nation that pays no taxes and receives no benefits from the US government. (Source: Onondaga Nation)
Lacrosse dates back to 1100. Considered the oldest team sport in North America, the Haudenosaunee were the first to play it. In an earlier version of the sport, between 100 and 1,000 Native American men were known to use wooden sticks and small deerskin balls. Since there were no borders on the playing fields, sometimes the games could stretch for kilometers and last days.
In Native American oral tradition, the first game was played between birds and mammals, and this sport was a gift from creator used for both entertainment and medicine.
