The Universidade Siena men’s lacrosse coach, Liam Gleason, died this Wednesday (3), aged 41, three days after suffering severe head trauma in an accidental fall inside his residence in Loudonville, in the state of The institution confirmed the death in the early evening, a few hours after Gleason was taken to surgery for organ donation.
Gleason has led the Siena Saints since 2018 and, last season, led the team to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title and qualification for the NCAA national tournament, a historic feat for the program. Ele leaves behind a wife and three young children.
The university highlighted that dozens of people, including uniformed players, managers and members of the region’s sports community, formed a human corridor at the hospital to pay tribute while the coach was taken to the operating room.
Trajectory marked by rivalry and achievements
Liam Gleason was a featured player for Universidade from Formado in 2006, he started his coaching career as an assistant at Siena before returning to Albany.
In 2018, he accepted the invitation to take command of the Saints. During his tenure, the program grew significantly, culminating in the 2025 MAAC title and first NCAA Tournament appearance in years.
Emotional tribute at the hospital
Current Siena players, wearing full uniforms, lined the hallways of Albany Medical Center on Wednesday afternoon. Dirigentes from both universities and former colleagues of Gleason were also present.
The scene recorded the respect that the coach gained among rivals. Autoridades of Siena reported that the human corridor formed spontaneously as soon as the news of the organ donation was confirmed by the family.
The surgery to remove the organs began around 4pm local time. The death was officially announced at 6:30 pm.
Reactions from the university community
The president of Siena College, Chuck Seifert, issued an official statement lamenting the sudden loss. Ele highlighted that Gleason was one of the most admired people on the entire campus.
The university has temporarily suspended activities of the lacrosse department. Sessões psychological support was offered to athletes and employees.
College lacrosse legacy of Nova York
Gleason had seven full seasons as head coach of Siena. Seu record was 58 wins and 52 losses at the time of the accident.
- Led the team to the MAAC title in 2025
- Siena’s first NCAA Tournament seeding since 2009
- Developed 12 athletes who received All-Conference honors
- Maintained an average of 8 wins per season in the last four years
Details of the accident and wake
The accident occurred on Saturday (29) inside the family’s residence. Gleason tripped on a staircase and hit his head, according to information provided by the university.
There were no witnesses to the exact moment of the fall. Ele was found unconscious by his wife and immediately taken to the hospital.
The wake is scheduled for Saturday (6), on the Siena College campus, in Loudonville. The ceremony will be open to the local sporting community.
An online fundraising campaign has already surpassed the initial goal to help the family with future expenses. Até Wednesday night, more than 500 donations had been registered.
Support between historical rivals
Universidade of Albany, Siena’s biggest rival in lacrosse, issued an official note of condolence. The current coach of the Great Danes classified Gleason as a reference for the entire region.
Gleason’s former teammates in Albany also attended the hospital. The geographic proximity between the two institutions reinforces the intense relationship in local university sports.
Divisão I boys lacrosse loses one of the rising figures in the Nova York state at exactly the most successful moment of his head coaching career.
