2026 – ATHLETICS

Lyle Thompson is an Iroquois professional lacrosse player from the Hawk Clan of the Onondaga Nation. His Native name is Deyhahsanoondey, which means “He’s Flying Above Us.” He plays both indoor and outdoor professional lacrosse.

He played lacrosse in college at the University at Albany. In his junior year, he shared the 2014 men’s Tewaaraton Award with his older brother Miles. That same year, the attack line made up of Thompson, his brother Miles, and their cousin Ty Thompson, known as the “Thompson Trio,” shattered multiple NCAA Division I records and is widely regarded as one of the greatest attack lines in college lacrosse history. Thompson became the first male player to win the Tewaaraton Trophy in consecutive seasons, earning the award again in 2015.

As a professional indoor lacrosse player, Thompson won the NLL MVP award in 2017 and was named a champion and championship MVP. He was also named first-team All-Pro in 2019. As a professional outdoor lacrosse player, he was named the 2022 PLL Attackman of the Year.

As an international player, Thompson helped the national team win bronze medals at the 2014, 2018, and 2023 World Lacrosse Championships. He was named first-team all-world in 2014, and he also earned first-team honors in 2015 and 2019 in box lacrosse competition. He co-founded the lacrosse company Thompson Brothers Lacrosse, which focuses on event speaking, lacrosse development projects, and community-building initiatives while emphasizing the Native roots of the sport.

Lyle Thompson is widely regarded as one of the greatest lacrosse players of all time and one of the defining players of his generation.