(Photo courtesy New York State)

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Lyle and Miles Thompson, two of the most decorated men's lacrosse players in University at Albany history, are honored in the “People of New York” exhibit that opened Thursday, Feb. 14, in the State Capitol building.

The exhibit, whose opening was announced by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, “features the people of New York - past and present - and their firsthand accounts of perseverance and migration.”

For more information about the exhibit, which will be on display for one year, CLICK HERE.

“The First Peoples” portion of the exhibit includes life-size cutouts of the Thompson brothers, and accompanying text details their achievements for UAlbany. In the images, they're wearing uniforms of the Georgia Swarm, the National Lacrosse League franchise for which they now play.

"I think it's something special to represent not only myself and my family, but my community and really to represent (the University at) Albany, a program that's really done a lot for me,” Lyle Thompson said. “To look back on what it would mean to be in this exhibit, I think it represents a lot for Native people. It's a proud moment for me.”

Born in Onondaga Nation, near Syracuse, N.Y., Lyle and Miles became two of the most celebrated lacrosse players in the world while at UAlbany. Lyle was the first male recipient of the Tewaaraton Award in consecutive seasons, and he set new NCAA Division I records for career points (400) and assists (225). As a senior at UAlbany, Miles was the co-recipient of the Tewaaraton Award with his brother and set a NCAA Division I record for most single season goals (82).

They both were drafted by the Swarm, Miles as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NLL Draft and Lyle as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NLL Draft. In 2017, the tandem was instrumental in the Swarm winning its first world championship.