Bold opening: A beloved lacrosse coach’s sudden death reminds us how fragile life is and how deeply a single person can impact a community.
Liam Gleason, the head coach of Siena College’s men’s lacrosse team, died on Wednesday at Albany Medical Center, three days after a fall at his home left him with a serious head injury. He was 41. Siena announced the loss as profoundly saddening, underscoring the profound, universal admiration Gleason earned from players, colleagues, and supporters alike.
Gleason, a 2007 graduate of the University at Albany (UAlbany), spent seven seasons guiding the Saints and led them to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship this past May. His death prompted an outpouring of support from fellow alumni and the broader lacrosse community. A GoFundMe page to assist Gleason’s wife, Jaclyn, and their three children had raised over $500,000 by Wednesday evening.
Siena will host a public funeral service for Gleason at 11 a.m. Saturday in the UHY Center on Siena’s campus.
Details from the incident note that Gleason fell down stairs at his Halfmoon residence around 4 p.m. on Sunday. State Police and paramedics responded, and he sustained a severe head injury, receiving CPR en route to the hospital.
Gleason was an organ donor. In a ceremonial “Honor Walk” at Albany Medical Center on Wednesday, Gleason was transported down a hospital corridor to align with organ procurement, escorted by his family. Approximately 250 people lined the hallways, including the Siena team in their jerseys and several UAlbany players. Attendees included UAlbany coach Scott Marr, Gleason’s close friend and mentor, as well as Siena and UAlbany athletic staff.
Taking over a program that had endured four straight losing seasons, Gleason guided Siena to its first MAAC title in 11 years this past spring. He reflected on his motivation for joining Siena: “It’s why I came to Siena, to try to win another MAAC championship. It’s a proud alumni group. The Siena lacrosse family is strong, and they’ve supported us so much over the last few years. To finally get that championship, especially with this senior class, means so much.”
The Saints later competed in the NCAA Tournament, losing to UAlbany, coached by Marr. Gleason described his coaching philosophy this past spring: a focus on love, passion, and enjoyment of the game, modeling a philosophy Marr had instilled in his teams. He aimed for lacrosse to be the best part of each player’s day.
Scott Marr recalled Gleason as a “big, goofy kid”—a larger-than-life, positive presence who loved his family and his players. Marr lit a fire in Gleason’s honor this week, underscoring the intertwined lives of their families: Marr’s daughter Keeley once babysat Gleason’s children. Gleason’s friendship with Marr extended beyond the field, with regular chats by Marr’s fire pit.
Marr’s family and the broader lacrosse community plan to support Gleason’s wife and children in the days ahead. Siena lacrosse alumnus Eric Hungershafer, reflecting on Gleason’s stature as a leader, described him as a true players’ coach—someone who balanced being a friend with being a respected mentor.
A Long Island native, Gleason played two seasons as a defenseman at UAlbany after transferring from Division II Adelphi. He helped the Great Danes reach the NCAA quarterfinals in 2007, then served as a Siena assistant coach from 2008 to 2010. He briefly led The College of Saint Rose for a year before returning to UAlbany as an assistant coach, contributing to six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and UAlbany’s lone NCAA semifinal run in 2018.
UAlbany memorialized Gleason, noting that he evolved from a standout student-athlete into a devoted member of the capital region lacrosse community, leaving a lasting impression with his leadership and friendship.
Gleason is survived by his wife Jaclyn, a former UAlbany soccer player, and their children: Kennedy, Penn, and Tate. He also leaves behind his parents, Kevin and Susan, and his younger brother, Brendan, who has connections to lacrosse as an assistant coach at Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, Florida. Brendan’s wife, Allie, is a former Siena lacrosse player.
Sportswriter Mark Singelais reports on Siena basketball, UAlbany lacrosse, and other regional sports for the Times Union.
