Philly region boys’ clubs have joined together to field four teams (2023-to-2026) that will compete in the Warrior All American games at UMass Amherst on July 22-24. Last week, coaches were selected for each grad year that were felt to best represent the Philadelphia lacrosse community in addition to other area team coaches who will be available to assist with tryout evaluations.
NXT coaches selected as coaches for the Warrior All American games include Marty Kupprion (2024) and Nile Thompson (2026). Both coaches come with an extensive lacrosse background and involvement in shaping the game. One of the original members of the NXT team, Marty has led all of NXT's boys lacrosse efforts since 2009 including Cradle Lacrosse, Play Fast Training & Camps, and the NXT Lacrosse Club. "Coach Kupp" joined NXT full-time in 2014 after four years of teaching second grade at the Episcopal Academy, where he also coached Varsity Lacrosse under Head Coach Andy Hayes.
Nile Thompson also brings impressive lacrosse playing and coaching background also including Cradle Lacrosse, Play Fast Training, and the NXT Lacrosse Club. Nile was born and raised in Bala Cynwyd, graduating from Lower Merion High School in 2010 and Ursinus College in 2014. At Ursinus, he was a four-year varsity letter winner at Ursinus College, a Division III school participating in the Centennial Conference. As the captain of the 2014 team, he led the Bears to a school-record five conference wins won an All-Centennial Conference Honorable Mention. Most recently Thompson was part of the World Games playing for Team Jamaica. Thompson will be leading the 2026 team alongside Mesa Red coach, Todd Fleming.
Both coaches are excited to support the Warrior All American Games this year and to represent the Philadelphia area. Consistently producing top talent for decades, there are 20-30 strong club programs in the Philadelphia area who truly competes against each other year-round.
“This is different and will provide a unique experience for both younger and older players,” said NXT VP of Boys Lacrosse, Marty Kupprion. “All of us working together to form strong teams to represent our region is something I wanted to get behind because I believe our efforts should be to make this sport more inclusive than exclusive. Seeing the leaders and coaches of many different local clubs want to work together tells me that we are going to have a lot of talent at our Philly tryouts I am grateful to Warrior and the administrators for getting me involved, and I can’t wait to rep Philly with our boys up at UMASS in July.”
Warrior All American Games Coaching Staff
2023:
• Brian Lamey (Freedom)
• Joe Horvarth (Brotherly Love)
2024:
• Jack Forester (Dukes)
• Marty Kupprion (NXT)
• Matt DiRocco (Mesa)
2025:
• Bernie DeLacy (Roughriders/HHH)
• Wilson Felter (Team 11)
• Matt Dunn (Tribal)
2026:
• Todd Fleming (Mesa Red)
• Nile Thompson (NXT)
Tryouts will begin on Friday, May 10th at The Proving Grounds in Conshohocken, PA beginning at 6pm. Coming out of tryouts, the goal is to field four strong Philadelphia-based teams to go compete for a title at the national level. Registration is open now. Click here to register.
