Cody Jamieson Alumni Spotlight
November 25, 2020 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
New York Lizards News Release
Cody Jamieson, captain of the Iroquois National Team and Major League Lacrosse (MLL)ÃÂ alum, was destined to play lacrosse. Jamieson is from Mohawk Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy.
"Like many other Native American players, my father introduced me to lacrosse," he said. "Around here, most males are signed up when we are younger and get to decide if we want to continue or not."
After two years at Onondaga Community College in Onondaga, New York, where he led the Lazers to back-to-back junior college championships, he transferred to Syracuse University.
At Syracuse, Jamieson continued to make a name for himself. He was an All-BIG EAST First Team Honoree and a USILA Honorable Mention All-American. Jamieson also scored the game-winning goal in overtime in the National Championship against Cornell to give the program its 11thÃÂ national title.
After a prodigious collegiate career, Jamieson was the 10th overall pick in MLL's Collegiate Draft and the 1st overall pick in the National LacrosseÃÂ LeagueÃÂ (NLL)ÃÂ Draft in 2010.
Although he last suited up in MLL for the New York Lizards in 2018 after six seasons in the league, he continues to play boxed lacrosse. Jamieson is on the Halifax Thunderbirds of the NLL.
But despite his success, Jamieson said one of the challenges growing up was the recruiting process.
"At that time, there weren't many college coaches rushing to Six Nations, Ontario, to recruit kids to their college or university," Jamieson said. " Although, I'm very happy my path led me to Onondaga Community College and Coach Wilbur."
Despite the challenges, Jamieson said the sport of lacrosse means everything to him and his family.
"Our lives have been centered around lacrosse for as long as I can remember," he said. "My older brother and younger sister both play, so our summers were consumed by it. And as soon as winter lacrosse came around for us, it became a year-long enjoyment. "
As the captain of the Iroquois Nationals Team, Jamieson gets to live out his dream and represent something bigger than himself.
"The most rewarding thing for me is that I got the chance to even play on the team," Jamieson said. "We have so many talented lacrosse players, and I have learned so much from not only our players but the Iroquois Nationals program as a whole."
Jamieson, who's been playing lacrosse since he was just three years old and knowsÃÂ how to succeed in this sport, said his advice to a youth Indigenous lacrosse player would be "to keep their stick in their hands."
"In today's society, it is easy to forget about it while trying to juggle all of your other interests," he said. ÃÂ "For me, growing up, my stick was my best friend. I always wanted to play. But unlike your PlayStation controller, your stick does not need batteries."
Jamieson said one thing he wants people to know is that Native Americans are still here.
"We didn't get wiped out in any plague or wrongdoings," Jamieson said. "We still have our own sovereignty and government, and will continue to fight the good fight!"
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from November 25, 2020
- Cody Jamieson Alumni Spotlight - New York Lizards
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