9 Reasons To Remember The Significance of The Thompson Trio

The Thompson Trio, undoubtedly one of the best attack lines in the history of NCAA lacrosse has been one of the most exciting lacrosse stories to date and for a number of reasons.

9 Reasons Why The Thompson Trio is Special

1. The Thompson Trio consisted of brothers Miles & Lyle and Cousin Ty Thompson.
2. Together the Trio had scored more points than the collective bodies of 53 Division 1 teams.
3. Miles Thompson tied the Division 1 single-season goals record of 82, a record held by John Reese since 1990.
4. Lyle Thompson finished his junior year tying the Division 1 single-season assists record of 77, a record set by Steve Marohl in 1992.
5. Miles and Lyle broke the single-season points record individually.
6. Lyle is all time single-season D1 points leader with with 128 points.
7. Miles is the second all time single-season D1 points leader with 119 points.
8. These records, stagnant for over two decades were shattered by brothers, playing for the same school on the same line of attack.
9. And what makes this story even more fascinating is the fact that the Thompson Trio comes from a rich heritage of Native American lines, where lacrosse and lacrosse culture is weaved into the very fabric of their DNA.

Born with sticks in their hands, The Thompson Trio belong to the Iroquois Nation, a confederacy of 6 unique tribes that is known as the progenitors of modern day Lacrosse games. With great pride, games of Lacrosse are entwined into the religious structure of the Thompson Trio belief system. To the Trio, Lacrosse is more than a game, it is a way of life, and has been for hundreds if not thousands of years. Known as "The Creator's Game", the Iroquois Nation play games of Lacrosse to honor the divine maker of life, day in and day out.

Lacrosse originated from Native American stickball games that were played across the continent by various tribes. In many instances these games of ball & stick were organized by the Medicine Man and played in ceremonial pursuit of healing, a ritualistic meeting to pay homage to the cosmic consciousness. 

Miles and Brother Lyle are from the Onondaga Nation while Cousin Ty is from the Mohawk Nation. Together these two nations along with 4 other Nations (Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora) make up the Iroquois Nation, an alliance formed to end conflict and unify the distinct tribes. Known as the Great Law of Peace, this oral constitution stitched the Iroquois Nation together and proved instrumental in bonding the Onondaga, Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora together. 

Representative of this tradition, Miles, Lyle and Ty of the Iroquois Nation are the modern spokes-trio for Lacrosse and its ascent to center stage as a Native American game. Breaking the stigma of Lacrosse as an “elitist” game, the Thompson Trio may very well be the catalysts for the growth of Lacrosse with the respect, integrity and honor of playing for “The Creator.”

 Thompson Trio on ESPN #SCFeatured

ESPN featured their story on #SCFeatured which that debuted on Sunday May 25th. The feature aired several times throughout the day, and Iroquois Stick Maker Alf Jacques narrated the piece. 

For readers not familiar with the level of skill of these three, we've assembled a playlist of internet videos that demonstrate the incredible achievements of the Thompson Trio for those that are interested in investigating. Oh and looking to snag a little insight to Miles Thompsons's traditional pocket? Check out LaxAllStars for some tasty tidbits.