Three of the biggest names in lacrosse, Miles, Lyle and Jerome Thompson, took to the baseball fields in the Sandpillow community in Black River Falls on Monday, June 19, to offer their advice to budding youth players.
It was part of the Lacrosse Camp, held June 19-22, sponsored by the Ho-Chunk Business Department. There were 65 youth who attended the camp.
The three Thompson brothers are considered some of the top players in the country and are starters with the Georgia Swarm, formerly the Minnesota Swarm, a professional lacrosse team.
The Ho-Chunk Nation had an agreement with the Swarm since 2015, when the Nation agreed to sponsor the team. Part of the agreement is that the team would provide a youth lacrosse training camp. The Ho-Chunk Nation Business Department took on the duties of conducting the camp and providing equipment to the youth, while the Swarm provided the instruction, according to Chief Operations Officer Robert Reider.
“The event went great.  I was happy to see so many youth in attendance considering the weather.  We had youth from MN and Oneida youth in attendance.  We wanted to get the most out of the Thompson Brothers as we could and this was the date that would be the best for them, the Swarm, and us,” Reider said.
The three brothers arrived after the recent national win of the National Lacrosse League championship. The Georgia Swam won the championship on June 4 in overtime over the Saskatchewan Rush. Miles scored the winning goal after a pass from his brother, Lyle.
The championship game included a fourth brother, Jeremy, who played on the opposing team, the Rush. Four brothers playing in one championship game had never been done before and qualifies to be placed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The brothers were present on behalf of the Swarm, however, they do have their own business in providing training lessons and camps which they perform on their own time.
There are nine teams in the National Lacrosse League, which started 32 years ago. The championship game was the best of three games, the Swarm clinching the title by winning the first two games.
At the Ho-Chunk Lacrosse Camp, the equipment that was provided by Epoch.  They received sticks, gloves and arm guards. 
The four days of instruction provided the youth participants with basics and more advanced techniques for playing the game.
“It’s great to spread the game of lacrosse and to inspire them,” Lyle said. “This camp was especially significant because we offer a lot of camps and not all of them are native. It’s great to share a connection with these kids.”
While some people are not aware of the professional lacrosse teams in the country, the popularity is growing, said Alec Schimke, director of Media Relations and Lacrosse Operations for the Swarm.
“It is the fastest growing sport in the United States,” Schimke said. “More and more teams are joining in the Division 1 league. We just had Utah join in the NLL. The Big 10 has joined in college lacrosse action. So, it is becoming a bigger and more popular sport across the country.”
Gavin White from Oneida, one of the youth participants, was appreciative of the opportunity to learn from experts in the sport.
“It’s definitely something great,” White said. “We all look up to them (Thompson brothers) and they show up and tell us how to work at playing the game. They tell us to keep a good mind and to work hard.”
Lois WhiteEagle of Black River Falls enjoyed the lacrosse camp, spending the entire four days to sharpen her skills.
“I learned a lot – things that you can do on your own,” WhiteEagle said. “I’ve played on a lacrosse team, but never participated in a lacrosse camp before. This was more organized. Also, I like to hear what the Thompson brothers told the younger players.”
Reider said that the camp was a great opportunity for all native youth to learn and become further involved in lacrosse.
“I would like to thank Jame Michelli and his staff at Epoch for being accommodating of our needs.  Also the Georgia Swarm staff and players for providing many youth with a memorable experiences,” Reider said.