Siena men’s lacrosse coach Liam Gleason died on Wednesday, Dec. 3, the school announced. He was 41.
Gleason was hospitalized Sunday, Nov. 30, following what school officials called a ‘serious accident’ at his home. The Saints coach turned 41 on Friday, Nov. 28. A celebration of Gleason’s life and a funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m. ET inside the UHY Center on the Siena University campus.
‘A sudden, senseless loss carries a kind of pain that defies understanding,’ Siena President Chuck Seifert said in a statement released by the school. ‘It’s hard to imagine anyone more universally loved and admired than Liam. Our community was blessed by Coach Gleason’s life.’
Gleason, who led the Saints to an MAAC championship and an NCAA Tournament berth last season, was a coach for Siena for seven seasons.
‘The Siena community is devastated by this unspeakable tragedy,’ vice president and director of athletics John D’Argenio said in a statement. ‘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.’
MAAC commissioner Travis Tellitochi issued a statement on the MAAC X account (formerly Twitter) with a dedication to Gleason.
Gleason is survived by his wife, Jaclyn, and three children – daughter Kennedy, and sons Penn and Tate.
A GoFundMe page established to help Gleason’s family had raised over $500,000 as of 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday.