On a picture-perfect Sunday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Park in Salamanca, NY, the Seneca Nation came together to celebrate one of its own. Amos Whitcomb, a proud Salamanca High School graduate, was recognized for his recent selection in the 2025 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft by the Rochester Knighthawks — and for the remarkable journey that led him there.
Standing once again on the very field where he starred as a senior, Whitcomb listened as his accomplishments were shared — from his standout high school career to his collegiate success at the University at Albany — a story of dedication, perseverance, and community pride.
“I thought that was a cool moment,” said Whitcomb. “Seeing faces from my family to the younger generation, and my friends at Albany, reminds me why I started and continue to keep going.”
The Creator’s Game was on full display during Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend, which also included a youth lacrosse clinic on Saturday and a Division I lacrosse tournament on Sunday. Acknowledging Whitcomb was part of The Great Hill Cup, which featured teams from the University of Michigan, Sacred Heart University, Robert Morris University, and Whitcomb’s alma mater, the University at Albany.
Whitcomb was accompanied on the field by Cattaraugus councilor Klint Nephew and Allegany councilors Joshua Becker, Josh Jimerson, and Odie Porter. Amos was also joined by his mother, Rae Lynn, brother Kaine, and little cousin Oaklin, who was clad in full Albany gear.
“I think Amos gives off the spirit of the game to the community,” said Nephew. “He’s ingrained in our culture. You know, just the whole society of our communities, he’s right there. He’s great for the youth. He just embodies all of that. He sets the right example for our youth and for those who can’t play the game anymore. It brings a smile to everybody’s face. It’s just awesome.”
“It’s awesome because he grew up here and he played his entire career here, starting all the way up from our minor system, and the level of the lacrosse he’s been able to achieve,” said Becker. “The hope and solidarity that he has for all the kids around here to give them that opportunity and something to look forward to is really, really great.”
During the on-field ceremony, Porter highlighted Whitcomb’s academic success, noting his 3.6 grade point average upon graduating from the University at Albany. In high school, the lacrosse standout was also a member of both the National Honor Society and the Seneca Honors Society.
Whitcomb was also a star athlete in high school, where he played basketball, football, and lacrosse. He was a four-year member of the varsity lacrosse team and a three-year captain. He ended his senior season with 96 points. He also helped the Warriors win the 2021 Section VI championship. He was also named the Team MVP and Team Attackman of the Year.
At the collegiate level, he played four seasons for the Great Danes. As an attackman, he posted 29 goals and 49 assists for 70 points in 63 games. His best season was in 2022, when he scored 17 goals and added nine assists for 26 points in 15 games. Head coach Scott Marr, who has coached thousands of players in his Hall of Fame career, noted that Whitcomb’s impact went beyond anything you could find on a stat sheet.
“I enjoyed coaching Amos because of the attitude that he brought to the table every day,” he said. “When you talk about team players, Amos was an absolute team player. He came to practice every day and worked his butt off. He played for us for four years. He was on the man up and eventually worked his way into the lineup, but it wasn’t about the playing time and stuff like that. It was his character. He’s just a wonderful person. That really shows the culture we have at Albany. He was a huge part of that.”
Former professional lacrosse player and current Albany Associate Head Coach Merrick Thomson echoed Marr’s statement about Whitcomb, who was one of the team’s most respected players.
“He’s very considerate and caring. He comes from a big family, so I always love watching him associate with his brothers and sisters. The way he interacts with them is the way he interacts with his teammates, whom he treats like family. That’s why a lot of our guys love being around him. It’s just because of the way he treats people. He treats people the way you want to be treated.”
The UAlbany men’s lacrosse team hosted UMass Lowell at Casey Stadium in Albany, New York on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Amos was raised by his father, Chad, and mother, Rae Lynn, in Salamanca, NY, along with his five brothers —Kobe, Keion, Kaine, Miles, and Diezel —and four sisters, Cali, Daisy, Liana and Bailey. His first recollection of playing lacrosse was at the age of 3 in his backyard. He didn’t have to look far to find a game going on.
“Growing up, it’s just always something we did. Just pick up games here and there. We’d always make up games too. We would have metal trash cans and play with tennis balls and just try to score that and play two-on-two.”
Whitcomb grew up playing box lacrosse and went through the Allegany minor system. He recently competed in the Presidents Cup with the hometown Allegany Arrows for the second straight season. He collected one goal and 11 assists in just four games, after notching 20 points (7+13) the previous year. With the Arrows, Whitcomb had the opportunity to play alongside family members, along with Buffalo Bandits standouts Chris Cloutier and Chase Fraser, and veteran NLL goalie Gowah Abrams.
“I loved it because I get to play with my cousins, brother, and uncles, and then mixing in pros and other good players from rezes,” said Whitcomb.
In addition, the 6-foot, 220-pound forward played three games with the Brampton Excelsiors of Major Series Lacrosse this summer, scoring two goals and adding two assists for a total of four points. Whitcomb is also a graduate of the Upstate Collegiate Box Lacrosse League, playing one game with the Rapids in 2024.
Having had success at every level, Whitcomb was on teams’ radars at the 2025 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft in September. After taking Albany defenseman Adam Thistlethwaite with the 24th overall selection, Rochester added another Great Dane as it chose Whitcomb in the fourth round (57th overall).
“I was really excited just even getting picked up by a team, especially since the Seneca Nation just bought them,” said Whitcomb of the August purchase of the NLL franchise.
It was an incredible moment for Whitcomb, his family, and the entire Seneca Nation. He joined the recently acquired Zed Williams as the second member of the community to join the Knighthawks.
“I think it’s awesome. You’re able to see that connectivity,” said Nephew. “Obviously, Zed was there. That was one of the first moves and then seeing the draft. I think it’s been a dream come true for Amos to get there and his family. I think it’s been a dream come true to see players from the Nation get drafted, and what better way to see the Nation draft one of its own.”
Whitcomb’s former college associate head coach had high praise for him and commented on his future at the next level.
“He’s played at the highest level of Junior ‘A’, senior, and I expect him to fit right in,” said Thomson. “One, he loves the game, and two, his IQ is excellent.”
Whitcomb will be one of six former Great Danes heading to the Knighthawks’ camp. That list includes 2025 NLL MVP Connor Fields, Jake Piseno, Graydon Hogg, Conner Fingar, and Thistlethwaite. Both Fingar and Hogg were teammates with Whitcomb at Albany and were excited to be reunited in training camp.
“I like playing with Amos because he always had a smile on his face, whether it was in the locker room or on the field, he was always smiling,” said Fingar. “He has one of the best sticks I’ve ever seen handling the ball in traffic, under pressure, and finishing. Many times, during practice, we’d just laugh after he scored because of how he did it. He is a great all-around teammate.”
“He is a great guy. I really liked how much fun he had playing the game and how positive he always was,” said second-year pro Graydon Hogg. “He wasn’t a very vocal guy, but his actions spoke volumes. One of my all-time favorite teammates to play with.”
Whitcomb said having former teammates in the locker room will allow him to settle into training camp more easily, having also played with Thistlethwaite and Piseno.
“They can show me the ropes a little,” said Whitcomb. “Then we’ll be just busting jokes here and there.”
Whitcomb said he will keep the same demeanor that got him here. He wants to enjoy the moment and work as hard as possible to make an impact.
“I want to go in trusting what I’ve learned and my abilities, while also having fun,” he said. “A positive and clear mindset is ideal. I just gotta play hard and have a next play mentality, whether it’s a good or bad situation.”