TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 8/17/15
From Press Release and Staff Report

Merrick Thomson – who helped Brodie Merrill build The Hill Academy into a national power – has accepted a job as an assistant coach at the Universitty of Albany, his alma mater.

Albany head coach Scott Marr on Monday made the announcement today.

Thomson has spent the last three years as the head coach of the Hill Academy, a prep school in his native Canada that in 2015 finished No. 2 in the final Epoch Lacrosse North America Rankings with a 13-1 record. Thomson took over the head coaching duties from Hill Lacrosse Director Brodie Merrill – who continued to coach along with him when not committed to pro lacrosse games – for the past three years after serving as head coach of the Hill PG program.

“It has been a pleasure to work along side Merrick and watch him grow into the coach he is today,” said Merrill. “We have become close friends and colleagues. He gave so much of himself to Hill Lacrosse and has made a profound impact on our program and so many players that have come through our program.

“His passion and attention to detail will always stick with us. It is difficult to lose Merrick, but we are excited to see him pursue his dream of coaching NCAA lacrosse at U of Albany, a place that means so much to him. We will be supporting him from afar.”

Said Thomson, in a press release from Albany: “It is a great honor to come back and coach at the University at Albany. UAlbany Lacrosse is very close to my heart and it is one of the only places that could have taken me away from The Hill Academy in Toronto.

“The University at Albany gave me a chance to better my life through education and athletics, and this opportunity to return will allow me to give back not only to the university but also to the surrounding Capital District Area.”

“We welcome Merrick back with open arms!” said Marr. “After my son, Kyle, spent a year at The Hill, we know Merrick brings tremendous coaching ability. Furthermore, as an alum, he carries a true love for the University and our program. We couldn’t be happier for Merrick to reconnect with our family!”

Hill Academy finished with just a 9-8 overtime loss to Gonzaga in 2015. It was scheduled to play the eventual No. 1 team, Haverford School, but die to inclement weather the game was postponed and could not be rescheduled.

As a player, Thomson was one of UAlbany’s top offensive players of all-time. From 2004-07, he helped the Great Danes earn three America East titles and the program’s first Division I NCAA Tournament victory. He was a Third Team All-American in 2007. He finished his career as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 244 points and 188 goals, currently standing third and second respectively in those categories in UAlbany history. When he finished his collegiate career, he stood fourth all-time in NCAA Division I history in goals scored, currently standing seventh.

Thomson earned his undergraduate degree in 2007 and also earned his Master’s Degree in education administration at UAlbany in 2009. He served as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee from 2005 to 2007.

Thomson also had a post-collegiate career, playing for the New Jersey Pride and Toronto Nationals in Major League Lacrosse and the Philadelphia Wings in the National Lacrosse League. He was named the Most Improved Player of the Year in 2008 and led Toronto to the 2009 Steinfeld Cup, being named the playoffs MVP. He also represented Team Canada in international play, leading the squad to the 2007 International Lacrosse Federation World Indoor title.

He will serve as the team’s assistant coach and offensive coordinator, joining Marr, associate head coach and classmate Liam Gleason and director of operations Donald Shea.