Syracuse – On S
unday, November 10, 2024 Drumlins Country Club hosted the Upstate Lacrosse Lacrosse Hall of Fame dinner where three Onondagas were added to this year’s class. Those individuals are Russ George, Jeremy Thompson, and Cory Sullivan who was a member of the 2004 LeMoyne Lacrosse championship team.
Russ George who is already a member of the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and a 1975 champion of the professional lacrosse league’s Quebec Caribous, began his acceptance speech retelling the importance of the game, the intensity, and the friendships created on and off the playing field.
“You played for your teammates next to,” said George. “You played defense, offense, defense then went off. We all knew we had each other’s back.”
“My mother told me not to fight,” George added with a smile. “But you know, it happens.” 
George’s family then joined Russ to present him with another gift, a portrait of Russ in his Caribou jersey. This portrait was painted by fellow Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee and cousin, Barry Powless.
Deloris Thompson accepted the Hall of Fame plaque for her son Jeremy. Deloris read a statement from Jeremy thanking the committee for the honor of being inducted.
“Jeremy and I were on the phone talking about tonight,” Thompson shared. “So I asked him how many championship rings do you have? He began counting. He said, ‘Twelve!’”
The final award of the night was for the 2004 LeMoyne Men’s lacrosse championship team in which Cory Sullivan was an integral member of the high pow
ered attack unit.
Cory and his teammates stretched across the stage as they shared their team plaque. As their team captain reminded everyone to reach out to a friend or a teammate to let them know that you care.
Russ George summed up the night with his closing thoughts.
“I’m proud to be Onondaga. I’m proud to be Eel Clan. And I’m proud that we shared this game from our Creator.”
Well said indeed.
Click here to read more about the 2024 Hall of Fame Class.