LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena University is profoundly saddened to share the tragic news of the passing of men's lacrosse head coach Liam Gleason. Coach Gleason, who had just turned 41 this past Friday, passed away Wednesday following injuries sustained Sunday in an accident at home.
 
Liam is survived by his beloved wife of 12 years, Jaclyn, their three cherished children – daughter Kennedy, and sons Penn and Tate – his parents, Kevin and Susan, his brother, Brendan (Allie), and their extended families.
 
The public is invited to pay their respects and celebrate Liam's life at a funeral service Saturday at 11 a.m. inside the UHY Center on the Siena University campus.
 
At the request of the family, donations in Liam's memory may be made to the Siena Men's Lacrosse Coaches Discretionary Fund (under direct my gift to support, click choose area, and select in memory of Coach Liam Gleason).
 
"A sudden, senseless loss carries a kind of pain that defies understanding," said Siena President Chuck Seifert, Ph.D. "It's hard to imagine anyone more universally loved and admired than Liam. Our community was blessed by Coach Gleason's life." 
 
For seven seasons, Coach Gleason led a program that made the community proud, and drew families to Siena not simply for athletics, but for the chance to place their sons in the care of a tremendous leader who would mentor them not only in lacrosse, but in life. Liam treated every one of his student athletes like a son, and every alumnus, colleague, and Saint like a valued friend.
 
"The Siena community is devastated by this unspeakable tragedy," said Vice President and Director of Athletics John D'Argenio. "As one Siena family, we give our support, prayers, and love to Jaclyn, Kennedy, Penn, Tate, and the entire Gleason family, as well as our men's lacrosse student athletes and alumni, and those whom Liam touched while both a coach and player at UAlbany. Liam was an amazing human being, a great teammate in the department, and made Siena a better place."
 
The tenth head coach in Siena Men's Lacrosse history, Liam reached the pinnacle of his head coaching career this past spring. He earned both ECAC and MAAC Coach of the Year honors after leading the Saints to the program's fourth MAAC Tournament Championship. Under Coach Gleason's tutelage, Siena achieved an 11-5 overall record and claimed a share of the MAAC Regular Season title with a 7-1 league mark, securing the program's first national ranking in 14 years, checking in at No. 20 in both the USILA Coaches' Poll and Inside Lacrosse KANE Media Poll on May 5.
 
Liam returned to Loudonville in June 2018 to lead the men's lacrosse program, after having previously begun his collegiate coaching career as an assistant for the Saints under Brian Brecht from 2008-10. As the team's defensive coordinator, he helped orchestrate one of the most definitive three-year runs in program history, which culminated with Siena's first MAAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2009. The Saints also won MAAC Regular Season titles in both 2009 and 2010.
 
Originally from Wading River, New York, Liam was a 2007 graduate of the University at Albany, where he starred as both a defenseman and later as an assistant coach under Scott Marr. Liam spent seven seasons (2012-18) as the associate head coach at his beloved alma mater, helping guide the Great Danes to six straight NCAA Tournaments, highlighted by a National Semifinal appearance in 2018.
 
Liam was an outstanding lacrosse coach and his many professional accomplishments, including last year's MAAC Championship, speak to his talent and leadership. But wins and titles are only a small part of his legacy. What mattered to Liam most was FAMILY – his wife and children, and everyone he coached, mentored, and loved.