Current Native American Athletes Playing NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse

By Chris Vale

Right now in NCAA Division one lacrosse there are many talented Native American players that are making an impact at the highest level on colligate lacrosse. Over the past few years’ fans have known the names of great players Cody Jamieson, Sid Smith and Lyle, Miles and Ty Thompson. In the spring of 2016 the game of lacrosse has grown all over the United States and the World but the game is still known for its rich history in the Native and Iroquois community that look at the game, which was made by the creator and also known as the Medicine game a big part of their culture. As of right now seven different schools with around fifteen different players will be repsenting not only their team but also their native roots on the field this spring.

One of the schools, which have made a name for themselves for recruiting Iroquois players, is Albany University. Albany started things off not only getting three Thompsons but also Edmond Cathers and Mike Miller back in 2010 and 2011. Now Akwesasne players Seth Oaks who put up sixty-six points in 2015 will lead them on offense. Two other players from Akwesasne to look out for are KY Tarbell who scored twelve points and is looking to have a bigger impact this year and on defense Dalton Roundpoint and sophomore defenseman with a huge upside. Three freshman players Cougar Kirby from Kahnwake on Attack and Colyn Lyons defense (Onondaga) and Chaunce Hill (Seneca) all should have great four-year careers as Albany Great Danes.

At Syracuse who has a long standing tradion of Native players from Oren Lyons, Marshall Abrams as well as Jamieson and Smith. In 2016 two players from the Six Nation reservation Goalie Warren Hill and Tyson Bomberry hope to lead the Orange to another National tittle. Warren as already won back-to-back championships as starting goalie for Onondaga community College in 2013 and 2014 and was the starting goalie for team Iroquois at the 2014 field lacrosse world games. Warren also won Senior B box lacrosse National tittle this past summer with the Six Nation Rivermen. This will be his first year as a starter at Cuse but the senior keeper has already been drafted to the pros as the newest Major League lacrosse team the Atlanta Blaze selected Warren in last month’s draft. For Tyson he is entering his freshman season but is a player who can make an impact from the start. The past two summers Tyson Won Minto Cup box lacrosse championships with the Six Nation Arrows and was a starting defender on the 2012 U19 Iroquois team.

Denver is the defending NCAA champions and have back one of their top players in All American attack man Zach Miller Zack had a stellar first two seasons at Denver and as been a member of both the U19 and Men’s Iroquois National teams Zach has posted 141 points and with two seasons left will be one of the best players in Denver history. Another player who has been a member of both the Iroquois U19 and Men’s team and still very young is Brandon Bomberry after only playing just eight games and scoring eight points in 2015 Bomberry will play a even bigger role this season and is coming off his second straight Minto Cup with the Six Nation Arrows.

Virginia University has a very rich lacrosse history and New York State all time leading score Zed Williams is entering his junior season and this All American looks to have a big season hoping to get UVA a National championship. Zed scored thirty-seven points in 2015 and is a very exciting player to watch. Some other players to watch out for this spring are Hobart Universy and both from Salamanca players Frank Brown and Tanner John. Frank is a senior and has come back from injuries in his career looking to leave his mark on the Statesmen program. Also at Marquette from Orillia Ontario senior Kyle Whitlow who is team captain and All Big East conference team member looks to finish off his career on top this year. The Cornell Big Red will have Akwesasne Kason Tarbell back for his sophomore year as Kason hopes to lead the Big Red back to the playoffs. Besides these players there are many others at Division II and III levels as well as Junior College lacrosse where Onondaga and Genesse have rosters filled with Native Americans looking to make their mark in the lacrosse world.