Merrimack Removes Player for Racist Remark to Indigenous Opponent

Merrimack has removed a player from its men’s lacrosse team after he made a racist remark toward an Indigenous player from Albany during the teams’ America East game Sunday.

In a statement posted Tuesday, the school said it “condemns any actions that oppose the mission and values of the college of its athletics program and has no tolerance for the behavior displayed Sunday afternoon.”

The player was not named. The Eagle-Tribune reported that he was kicked off the team.

The incident came to light publicly after the Haudenosaunee Nationals posted on social media about it Tuesday.

Albany issued its own statement to Times-Union reporter Mark Singelais, applauding the Great Danes player for reporting the incident immediately and Merrimack for handling it “with the seriousness it deserves.” 

“We reject all forms of bias,” the university said. “Our standards for athletic competition are no different, and the bar is even higher in games like lacrosse that have such deep cultural significance to our Indigenous students, teammates and colleagues.”

Albany has a proud tradition of Haudenosaunee players, including Tewaaraton Award-winning brothers Miles and Lyle Thompson. Current seniors Jack VanValkenburgh, a second-year starting goalie, and Jake Piseno, a projected first-round pick in the upcoming Premier Lacrosse League draft, competed for the Haudenosanuee Nationals in the 2023 World Lacrosse World Championship. Great Danes head coach Scott Marr was the team’s defensive coordinator.

Albany has clinched a spot in the America East tournament and can lock up the No. 1 seed and hosting rights with a win over Binghamton this Saturday.

Merrimack’s postseason fate hinges on the same result, plus the Warriors would have to defeat Bryant to get into the conference tournament.

The America East also issued a statement on the incident Tuesday. “There is zero place in America East, in sport or in society for racism,” the conference said.