Honoring His Roots: Hunter Thompson ’26 and the Haudenosaunee Legacy of Lacrosse

This past spring, as Hunter Thompson ’26 made a post-study hall snack in the Woodward Dorm common room, he received a phone call he had worked a year to earn.

The General Manager of the Haudenosaunee Nationals (comprised of members of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations) was calling to inform Hunter that he had been selected to the U20 Men's Field Lacrosse team and earned a spot on the team that would compete at the 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship in Jeju, South Korea, August 15-24, 2025.

After the third tryout in the span of a year, Hunter returned to campus awaiting the announcement of the final roster: “Two nights before I got the call, I had a dream that I was going to make the team.” One of only five players from the Akwesasne Reservation to make the team, this was a special opportunity for Hunter to represent his community.

“It's great knowing that I can play for them. Everybody here loves lacrosse. It's an honor because all the greats played for the U20s before moving on to the men’s team. We all want to represent ourselves the best way we can.” 

 Playing for His People 

One of the oldest team sports in North America, modern lacrosse evolved from a Native American game. Traditionally played with hundreds of players on each team on a field that spanned miles, lacrosse served religious and social purposes for Native American tribes.

Hunter believes that the Haudenosaunee embrace the indigenous tradition in their style of play: “We don't play very structurally. We play emotionally and let our talent shine through. Playing is an honor for our people.”

Honoring the legacy of those who came before them is central to the Haudenosaunee team mentality: “Culturally, lacrosse means a lot, because whenever we play, we play it for the Creator. He gave it to us. We play for him, but we also play for the ones that can't play.”

For the Haudenosaunee, lacrosse unites their community: “When I was playing for the junior team, every elder that I know went to our games. They love watching us, so we play for them. It's called the medicine game because it brings good medicine. It brings a good mind and a clear head. Everybody who watches always leaves happy.”

 Holding His Own on the World Stage 

At 17 years old, Hunter was one of the youngest players not only on the Haudenosaunee team but in the whole tournament. Competing against some of the best rising Sophomores in all of college lacrosse, Hunter held his own. Across six games, Hunter put up three goals and four assists, making him the 5th leading scorer on the team.

While he excelled on the field, Hunter also embraced the opportunity to bond with his opponents: “We met all these other teams. It was a cool experience to see how they lived and their different lifestyles.”

The Haudenosaunee U16 team posing for a photo with Eire (Ireland).

As Hunter begins his senior year at Holderness, he is intent on making the most of his time as a Bull and helping to bring the Boys Varsity Lacrosse team together as they look toward the spring: “We all need to be on the same page. We all need to be looking at one goal.”

Emphasizing this team mentality, Hunter wants the team to prioritize being a cohesive group: “We need to have the same mindset. If someone is struggling, we need to support them. The biggest thing for me is that we're all together as one, as a team.”

About the Author

Max Paro '17
Communications Associate

Max Paro ’17 serves as the Athletics & Student Life Communications Associate. He earned his B.A. in Communication Arts from the University of New Hampshire in 2023 and his M.Ed. in Educational Studies from the University of New Hampshire in 2025.

Max captures and creates the school’s athletic and school life content. You will frequently see him and his camera around campus, at events, and on the sidelines during games. He loves capturing important moments in the school and students’ lives that can be shared with family and friends.

In his free time, Max enjoys getting outside and taking part in any athletic event he can find.