ASK AN EAGLE PRESENTED BY COROPLAST TAPE: Lily Thompson (Lacrosse)

3/26/2025 12:05:00 PM

Q&A-Coroplast Student-Athlete Feature Story

1.Are there any short-term goals you would like to accomplish in the next few months or even in the next few years?

Short term goals I look to accomplish in the next few months are making the Big South Tournament and achieving a winning record against conference opponents.
In the next few years, I aim to make the Big South title game and win our conference as well as have a winning record against non-conference opponents.
My personal goals that I would like to accomplish over the next few years are getting a stat of over 50 ground balls and achieving an offensive stat of a career goal or assist.

2. Do you find it difficult to have a social life outside of lacrosse and how do you manage your athletic responsibilities and other outside recreational and non-recreational activities?

At first it seemed like a big adjustment to have a social life outside of lacrosse. Living out of state away from my friends and family for the first time is something that was intimidating and took time to get used to. However, taking the initiative to talk to people in class or to make small plans like getting coffee or dinner with teammates has contributed to a greater balance in my social life. Additionally, I have tried to foster a "say yes" mentality, trying to say yes to activities and volunteer opportunities outside of lacrosse when I can.
I manage my athletic responsibilities and outside activities by splitting my time up by days of the week when I can. Depending on my game schedule and test schedule, I have been dedicating schoolwork and film to my Sunday evenings through Thursdays evenings. I then leave my Fridays to Sunday mornings open for free time where I spend time with family when they are in town, visit Charlotte, watch Friends, or go shopping at TJ Maxx and Hobby Lobby. I have also allocated my free time to reading to elementary students and recently I signed up to volunteer at a youth camp beginning in April where I get to introduce lacrosse to young kids along with some of my teammates and other collegiate lacrosse players in the area.

3. How does being an athlete make you a better person?

Being an athlete makes me a better person because it builds my resilience in and outside of my sport. It has pushed me beyond boundaries of mental toughness to show me that I can rise above any challenge that is presented to me. Being an athlete has also made me a better person through the lessons of leadership lacrosse has taught me. Throughout my career I have had endless opportunities to share my knowledge and passion with younger generations as well as past and present teammates.

4. What do you believe is the greatest challenge most athletes are facing today?

I think one of the greatest challenges most athletes are facing today is maintaining their self-confidence. Often at times I think athletes avoid or overlook the enemy that their minds can be. You could be the most fundamentally sound player but if you are extremely self-critical after making a mistake or putting intense pressure on yourself to perform at an unrealistic level of perfection the work you put in is not going to translate. The hardest challenge to conquer is not only exuding confidence in your successes but in your failures too. The mind is powerful and what you tell yourself is 80% of the battle an athlete must overcome on the field.

5. What have you learned about teamwork from your experiences on your teams?

I have learned that teamwork comes from every person making small differences each day to contribute to the bigger picture. No role is too big or too small because everyone is a valuable part of the success and goals a team strives to achieve. I have also learned that a mutual sense of respect and unity inside and outside of lacrosse contributes to an unbreakable bond of teamwork. No one is afraid to hold each other accountable because every person knows it comes from a place of love and respect for each other's craft.

6. What is the best piece of advice you have gained from your coaches?

The best piece of advice I have gained from my coaches is that if I am going to make a mistake then I am going to do it at my 100%. Reminding myself of this has allowed me to take greater risks on and off the field and realize that there is greater value in the effort and attitude I exude than the errors or perfectionism of my performance.

7. What was it about Winthrop that attracted you?

The immediate sense of family and community attracted me to Winthrop. The team and university are at the smaller end of numbers, but it fosters an immense atmosphere of inclusiveness. Everyone is equally valued, and it is rewarding to have the opportunity to develop close relationships with professors. Additionally, as an accounting major and Winthrop's proximity to Charlotte I was drawn in by the number of connections and internships that would be present while attending school. Winthrop is a home away from home with the bonus of beautiful weather.

8. How did you find lacrosse?

I found lacrosse through my mom and aunt. My mom had me try almost every sport growing up until I landed with lacrosse. Also, my aunt played in high school, and I remember being curious about the sport, so I decided to give it a try and fell in love with it.

9. How did growing up as a competitive dancer and playing an instrument contribute to your success as a student-athlete? And how did it become a significant part of your life?

Growing up as a competitive dancer contributed significantly to my strength and speed as an athlete. Taking different genres of dance helped with my overall flexibility and injury prevention growing up. It also shaped my outgoing personality as I was expected to perform in front of crowds of people as well as compete against other dancers. I owe dance for the mental toughness, competitive mentality, and time management skills I have today. I would be in the studio five days a week right after school until at least 10 p.m. and would spend the entirety of my Saturday mornings taking ballet classes while also having to fit in schoolwork and time with friends and family. Looking back now, dance has allowed me to admire everything my body is capable of and have the confidence in my body to perform beyond its limitations or challenges.
Playing an instrument contributed to my success as a student athlete because it taught me the importance of having an outlet or hobby to encourage balance in how I distribute my time. Growing up, I was able to have a healthy relationship with lacrosse because orchestra gave me a place to connect with people in a non-sports related way. Furthermore, playing an instrument became a haven for me where I was only required to focus on and enjoy the music I was playing with my peers. It was an atmosphere that calmed me and allowed me to reset mentally if I was having a hard day.

For more information on Coroplast, visit their website HERE

Print Friendly Version