The Hill Academy

The Hill Academy Post Graduate Lacrosse Program provides a one year Post Graduate environment to help prepare student-athletes for the demands of being a student-athlete at the post secondary level. With a schedule consisting of year-round lacrosse practices; fall and spring lacrosse seasons competing against top NCAA, CUFLA, and Prep Schools in North America; daily strength and conditioning, and a demanding academic course load, PG student-athletes are prepared and ready to make an impact once they arrive at the next level. 

Recently the Hill Academy Post Graduate team has prepared players to make an impact at the following post secondary institutions: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Lehigh University, Robert Morris, Providence College, St. John’s University, Penn State, Marquette University, Michigan University, Jacksonville University, University of Vermont, Albany University, Limestone College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Virginia Wesleyan, and Florida State University respectively.
 

Merrick Thomson, a graduate of University at Albany, has an extensive resume as a player. At Albany, he earned America East Rookie of the Year, 4 time member of the All-America East Team, 3 America East Championships, 3 NCAA tournament appearances, an All- American Selection (3rd team), and is currently ranked 5th all time in Division 1 history with 188 goals. In the MLL, he was awarded the 2008 Warrior Most Improved Player Award, won the 2009 MLL Championship with the Toronto Nationals, was awarded the 2009 Play-off MVP, was voted 2x to the MLL All-Star Game and the All MLL Team as an Attackmen. In the NLL, Thomson was selected second overall in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft, was named to the 2007 All-NLL Rookie Team, and led the Philadelphia Wings in points in the 2009 season.

Coach Thomson is now in his 3rd year of coaching at the Hill Academy. In his time at the Hill he has helped graduate 15 players to Division I lacrosse programs while several others have gone on to compete for Division II and III programs respectively. In his first year the PG team won the Newport Cup, which is a championship that plays host to Navy Prep, Army Prep, Bridgton Academy, and the Hill PG. Along with coaching at the Hill, Thomson has just finished his first summer as an assistant coach with the Toronto Beaches Jr. A box lacrosse team.
 

 Brodie Merrill is one of the most decorated lacrosse players in the world. Brodie has revolutionized how people treat the defensive player in both box and field, with his run and gun transitional style.

Brodie, a graduate of Georgetown University, was a two time All American, Two-Time Tewaaraton Award Finalist and in 2005 was named the NCAA Defensive Player of the Year. He has won multiple awards in his 7 year professional career including 2005 NLL and MLL Rookie of the Year; 2005 NLL Defensive Player of the Year; 2006 through 2011 MLL Defensive Player of the Year; 2009 and 2010 NLL Transition Player of the Year; All-Star status in all 6 NLL seasons; and All-Star status in all 7 MLL seasons . Brodie, who currently plays for the Hamilton Nationals in the MLL and Philadelphia Wings in the NLL, has also won two Mann Cup Championships, a Gold and Silver Medal at the World Field Lacrosse Championships, 2 Golds at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships and a MLL Championship.

Brodie was one of the coaches of the U19 Team Canada that brought home the Silver medal at the U19 FIL World Field Lacrosse Championships, in Turku, Finland. Brodie was also the Defensive Coordinator for the 2008 U19 Team Canada that earned the Silver Medal in Coquitlam, BC. 

Brodie is the head coach and Director of the Hill Academy Men’s Lacrosse team which is highly regarded as one of the top Lacrosse programs in North America.

bmerrill@thehillacademy.com
Phone: 519.938.0316