ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – Miles and Lyle Thompson became lacrosse rock stars during their college careers at the University at Albany, attracting long autograph lines after games – at home and on the road.
Every kid loves a scorer, and the Native American brothers from the Onondaga Nation outside Syracuse rarely disappointed. They put up staggering offensive numbers – Miles tied the NCAA record with 82 goals as a senior and Lyle is the college game’s all-time leading scorer.
“I realized it (playing in college) was an opportunity to give other people a chance to see the game as we play it,” Lyle said. “I wanted to pass that along.”
Together with cousin Ty, the Thompsons gave a jolt to the sport’s popularity, and they’re hopeful that a new documentary titled “Spirit Game: Pride of a Nation” will offer a deeper understanding of lacrosse’s origins and its impact on Native Americans. The 90-minute movie, directed by Peter Spirer and Peter Baxter, debuts Friday, on the eve of the men’s national semifinals, in select theaters around the country. It will be available on video on demand services on June 20.
“It’s going to grow the game, help people understand it,” said Lyle Thompson, who finished his Albany career with 400 points and is the only college player to notch three 100-point seasons. “It’s been basically my whole life. It’s given me a bunch of opportunities. I was born pretty passionate about this game. My father instilled it in us, showed us the importance of it.