Christopher Newport University Men's Lacrosse

During his time with the Christopher Newport men’s lacrosse program, Mikey Thompson has helped the Captains establish a new standard of success while building the program into a consistent power on the national stage.   After spending four seasons as an assistant coach with the Captains beginning in the fall of 2011, Thompson was elevated to head coach in 2016. During his time in Newport News, he has helped CNU earn five NCAA Tournament berths, climb to the top of the USILA National Coaches Poll, and shatter nearly every conceivable program record.   Since taking the reins of the team in 2016, he has compiled a 106-35 record, including a 30-11 ledger in conference action. Meanwhile, the Captains have also made their mark on the national stage, winning eight games in the NCAA Tournament, including trips to the Final Four in 2021 and 2023.   For his efforts on the sidelines, Thompson is a six-time Virginia State Coach of the Year after securing the honor in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. He was also celebrated along with his assistants as the IMLCA Region 3 Coaching Staff of the Year following the 2021 and 2022 campaigns.   Rounding out his honors, he was selected as the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Captains to the regular season league championship and the NCAA Quarterfinals in 2022.   Among the highlights during his tenure as the head coach, Thompson has led the Captains to 23 victories over nationally-ranked opponents, including a triumph over No. 1 Salisbury in 2022 and No. 1 RIT in 2023. However, arguably his finest performances have come during the national playoffs.   After leading the squad to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2018, he topped that performance with a remarkable run three years later. During the 2021 playoffs, Thompson guided Christopher Newport to a 10-5 win at No. 12 Stevenson before an epic 12-11 overtime triumph against No. 4 Lynchburg in the NCAA Quarterfinals.   Incredibly, since 1990, no Division III men’s lacrosse team has gone from its inaugural season to the national semifinals quicker than the Captains did after Thompson helped Christopher Newport reach the Final Four in only the program’s 15th year of existence.   Following the team's incredible performance in 2021, Thompson’s crew continued to shine under the bright lights with trips to the Elite Eight in 2022 and a return to the Final Four in 2023.   Earning respect for the program’s success, Christopher Newport broke into the USILA National Coaches Poll for the first time in 2016. Since then, the squad has been a mainstay in the rankings. Over the past six seasons, the Captains have been ranked in the top-20 in 67 USILA polls, including five weeks as the No. 1 team in the country in 2022 and 2023.   Statistically, Christopher Newport has also consistently ranked among the top programs in the NCAA. Under Thompson’s tutelage, the Captains have slotted in the top-20 nationally in almost every statistical category, including faceoff percentage, scoring offense, and scoring defense. The program also stood first in the country in caused-turnovers-per-game in 2019 and 2022.   In addition to the team’s success, he has also mentored some of the top individual talents in program history. Under Thompson, Christopher Newport Hall of Famer Randy Foster became the team’s first All-American after earning honorable mention accolades in 2016 and 2017. Since then, 18 other players have collected national plaudits, including some of the highest individual honors in the NCAA.   In 2022, Max Wayne was named the USILA National Player and Defenseman of the Year, while Campbell Pozin was selected as the National Short-Stick Defensive Midfielder of the Year. In 2023, Ryan Young was named the National Defenseman of the Year, and Andrew Cook was celebration as the National Midfielder of the Year while also earning a spot on the prestigious Tewaaraton Award Watch List.   Rounding out the top honorees, Alex Brendes was named the Inside Lacrosse National Freshman of the Year for his efforts in 2020.   Along with the national awards, the Captains have earned 53 All-Conference honors, 48 All-State accolades, and 25 All-Region plaudits since Thompson took over as head coach in 2016. Equally successful in the classroom, his program has produced 16 USILA Scholar All-Americans, including seven in 2023. That equaled the fourth-highest single-season total by any school in the history of the award.    Prior to taking the reins of the program, Thompson was an integral part of the coaching staff since 2011. As an assistant coach, he helped lead CNU to its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2013 and a successful transition to the vaunted Capital Athletic Conference the following year.   During Thompson’s time as an assistant, the Captains established themselves as a contender in the CAC and one of the up-and-coming lacrosse programs in the region. During CNU’s first year in the Capital, the squad registered a 10-6 overall record, including a victory over No. 2 Salisbury on April 2, which marked the Sea Gulls’ first regular season conference loss since 2011.   One year later, Thompson helped lead Christopher Newport to an 11-5 mark in 2015. Along the way, the Captains finished third in the regular season conference standings after compiling a 6-2 record in league action.   Arriving at CNU in the fall of 2011, Thompson brought championship-level experience as both a player and coach from his days at the University of Virginia. Coming from one of the most storied programs in the nation, he competed collegiately with the Cavaliers and also served as a student-assistant coach.   During his time in Charlottesville, Thompson served as one of Virginia’s three captains during the team’s 2010 ACC title run. The following year, after transitioning to the sidelines, he kicked off his coaching career during UVa’s national championship campaign in 2011.   Following his time with the Cavaliers, Thompson was selected in the 2011 Supplemental Draft by the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse before arriving at CNU. He returned to the professional ranks as an assistant coach in 2023 after joining the Cannons Lacrosse Club of the Premier Lacrosse League.

Zach Thomas has been a member of the coaching staff at Christopher Newport since the fall of 2013 and was promoted to Assistant Head Coach in 2023. During his work with the Captains, he has continued to solidify his reputation as one of the top offensive minds in the country.   Since arriving at CNU, he has helped the Captains establish a new benchmark for success. During his time with the program, Thomas has helped Christopher Newport register at least 10 victories in each full season while advancing to seven NCAA Tournaments, including three Elite Eight appearances and a pair of Final Four berths in 2021 and 2023.   For his work on the sidelines, he was celebrated as a member of the IMLCA Region 3 Coaching Staff of the Year in 2021 and 2022 while earning the conference honor during the latter season.   In addition to setting a new standard for wins, Thomas has also guided a record-setting offensive attack. Incredibly, the school’s top-10 single-season goal outputs have all come under Thomas’ watch. The program’s high watermark came in 2022 when the Captains averaged 19.10 goals per game, which stood as the fourth-highest rate in the NCAA. The squad also ranked in the top-25 in scoring in 2020, 2023, and 2025.   Under Thomas’ guidance, 25 players have earned All-American accolades, including Dylan Rice and Andrew Cook, who were honored as the IMLCA Region 3 Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Kevin Miller also secured first-team plaudits in 2025 after leading the NCAA with 115 points, while Jamie Smith picked up national honors during the same year after ranking first in the country with 84 goals.   Aided by the electric attack, Christopher Newport boasts a 161-56 record since Thomas arrived in town. During that time, the Captains have spent five weeks ranked first in the USILA National Coaches Poll while posting 30 wins against top-20 opponents, including victories over No. 1 Salisbury in 2022 and No. 1 RIT in 2023.   Before arriving in Newport News, Thomas served on the coaching staff at Roanoke from 2010-13. During his time on the sidelines, he helped coordinate scouting and recruiting and was promoted to head assistant coach in 2011. While overseeing an offensive attack that ranked among the top-five nationally, he helped the Maroons make a run to the National Semifinals in 2011.   Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Thomas was a two-time All-American at Roanoke, including a first-team selection in 2009. He helped lead the Maroons to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including back-to-back Final Fours in 2005 and 2006. A three-time All-Conference selection, he left the program ranked in the top-five in career points and goals before earning a spot in the Roanoke Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.