Siena Saints men’s lacrosse coach Liam Gleason, who led the program through one of its strongest modern seasons, died Wednesday at 41 after a traumatic brain injury from a fall at home, the university announced. His death sent shockwaves through the Capital Region lacrosse community and among colleagues who saw him as both a talented coach and devoted family man.
University officials said the accident happened earlier in the week at Gleason’s home, where emergency crews responded to reports of a severe head injury. He was hospitalized but did not recover, ending a career that had quickly brought Siena back to national relevance. His passing comes months after Siena advanced to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship and earned an NCAA Tournament berth in the 2025 season — the school’s first since 2014.
In a statement to the Siena community, President Chuck Seifert called the loss devastating and deeply personal for the school. “A sudden, senseless loss carries a kind of pain that defies understanding,” Seifert said. “It’s hard to imagine anyone more universally loved than Liam. Our community was blessed by Coach Gleason’s life.” Seifert highlighted the widespread respect for Gleason, not just for competitive success but for a leadership style built on compassion and connection.
Gleason had spent the past seven seasons guiding the Saints, culminating in an 11-5 overall record this year and Siena’s first national ranking in 14 years. His achievements earned him the MAAC Coach of the Year award and recognition from the Eastern College Athletic Conference, solidifying his place among the most accomplished coaches in the region. His steady rise mirrored Siena’s broader athletic growth, a trend frequently noted in national coverage of mid-major lacrosse programs.
Before his coaching emergence, Gleason played collegiately at the University at Albany, where he became known for his size, defensive skill, and work ethic. His time with the Great Danes helped shape a coaching philosophy centered on player development and positivity — pillars that would later define Siena’s return to prominence. As more tributes surfaced Wednesday from former teammates and athletes he mentored, many highlighted Gleason’s ability to see the best in others and create cultures where athletes felt valued beyond their performance.
As news of his death spread, a GoFundMe organized by his family drew widespread attention, quickly becoming a focal point for those seeking ways to support his wife and children. “The Gleason family has suffered the most unimaginable tragedy with Liam suffering a traumatic brain injury,” the fundraiser read. The page described him as “the best father, husband, brother, son… coach, and friend,” adding that “his heart is as big as his 6’5 frame.” The fundraiser noted that his wife, Jaclyn, and their children — Kennedy, Penn, and Tate — now face “a long road of emotional and financial challenges in the weeks, months, and years ahead.”
Friends and colleagues described Gleason’s approach as patient, generous, and deeply invested in the players he coached. Many pointed to his unique balance of competitive fire and warmth — qualities that helped Siena rebuild a winning identity grounded in community and mentorship. Coaches around the conference noted that his teams were known as much for their discipline as for their joy, reflecting values that resonated across the broader lacrosse landscape.
Gleason’s impact extended far beyond game results. His athletes often spoke of his openness, his consistency, and his empathy, traits that distinguished him in a profession where personal connection can be as consequential as strategic expertise. His ability to cultivate loyalty and trust helped him guide players through both athletic challenges and personal milestones, earning him a reputation as a coach whose influence reached well beyond the field.
Siena officials said a funeral service will be held on campus Saturday, offering students, alumni, and members of the wider lacrosse family an opportunity to gather in remembrance. The school is planning additional tributes in the coming days to honor Gleason’s legacy and the standards he established for the program.
His death leaves a profound void — not only for a team facing a future without the coach who restored its competitive identity, but also for a family and community who described him as the steady, joyful center of their lives.
