UAlbany’s Lyle Thompson Nominated for ESPY Award, Lacrosse Trio Competes on International Stage
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The Thompson trio earned spots on the Iroquois roster after leading UAlbany to arguably its best season in program history. In photo from left to right (Ty, Lyle, Miles). |
ALBANY, N.Y. (July 10, 2014) -- University at Albany men’s lacrosse phenoms Lyle, Miles and Ty Thompson are once again making global headlines. Lyle was nominated for ESPN’s Best Male College Athlete ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award), while the trio was selected to the roster for the Iroquois Nationals in the 2014 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championships.
The ESPYs are an annual event honoring athletic achievement, the sport-world’s version of the Oscars. Lyle was the first SUNY athlete nominated in the ESPYs 21-year history and one of five finalists. Other contenders included Boston College hockey player Johnny Gaudreau, Creighton basketball player Doug McDermott (winner), Penn State wrestler David Taylor and Florida State football player Jameis Winston.
Lyle has cemented a place in the lacrosse record books, breaking an NCAA single-season record with points (128) off a record-tying 55 assists and 51 goals in 2014. Only a junior, he became the first player in Division I history with two 100-point seasons. Along with his brother Miles, the two became the first co-winners of lacrosse’s top accolade, the Tewaarton Award.
The ESPY Awards were hosted at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles and aired on ESPN Wednesday, July 16.
Great Danes Playing on an International Stage:
The Thompson trio has also been part of a 27-man roster for the Iroquois Nationals and are participating in the FIL World Championships throughout mid-July.
The three earned spots on the Iroquois roster after leading UAlbany to arguably its best season in program history, including a second consecutive America East championship and first-round NCAA Tournament victory over top-ranked Loyola University.
The Iroquois Nationals played in the world championship’s blue division, facing off against the United States, Canada, England, Japan and Australia. After defeating England, Australia, Japan and Scotland (quaterfinals), the Iroquois finished in third place, the highest placement in its history. The bronze medal was secured with a 16-5 win over Australia.
Beyond the Thompsons, UAlbany brothers Riley and Eli Lasda were representatives for Latvia’s national lacrosse, while assistant coach Eric Wolf served in the same capacity for the Israeli national team.
Lyle returns to UAlbany as a senior for the fall 2014 semester, while recent UAlbany graduates Ty and Miles have been added to the Rochester Rattlers activated list in Major League Lacrosse (MLL).
Read more on Lyle Thompson's offseason:
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A comprehensive public research university, the University at Albany-SUNY offers more than 120 undergraduate majors and minors and 125 master's, doctoral and graduate certificate programs. UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as atmospheric and environmental sciences, business, education, public health,health sciences, criminal justice, emergency preparedness, engineering and applied sciences, informatics, public administration, social welfare and sociology, taught by an extensive roster of faculty experts. It also offers expanded academic and research opportunities for students through an affiliation with Albany Law School. With a curriculum enhanced by 600 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers.
