The lacrosse community and family of coach Liam Gleason gathered in profound grief this weekend to honour a man described as a devoted father and inspirational leader. Gleason, 41, died earlier this week after a tragic fall at his home outside Albany, New York, which resulted in a fatal traumatic brain injury.
A Community United in Grief
A huge crowd attended a moving memorial ceremony on Saturday at Siena College's Loudonville campus to pay their respects. Gleason, a married father of three, is survived by his wife Jaclyn, a former college footballer, and their children: sons Penn and Tate, and daughter Kennedy.
The service was marked by raw emotion and heartfelt tributes from those whose lives he touched. His lacrosse players, wearing matching 'Liam Strong' T-shirts, placed a floral tribute on the altar, symbolising their collective loss and enduring respect for their coach.
Daughter's Heartfelt Promise
Among the most poignant moments was an address from his young daughter, Kennedy. In a display of remarkable courage, she stood before the congregation and shared her love for her father and her determination to continue his passion.
"I just want to say, I love my dad so much," Kennedy told the attendees. "One of my goals this year is to be one of the best lacrosse players and get a scholarship for lacrosse." Her words, a direct vow to honour her father's legacy through the sport he loved, prompted a smile from her mother and was met with huge applause from the audience at the UHY Center.
A Legacy of Leadership and Love
Gleason's lacrosse career was deeply rooted in the local area. A standout player at the University of Albany, the Long Island native began his coaching journey as an assistant at Siena College in 2008. He returned to his alma mater for his first head coaching role in 2010 and had served as Siena's head coach since 2018.
His mentor, Albany lacrosse coach Scott Marr, also spoke at the ceremony, bringing a lacrosse stick to the podium. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to be in Liam's life," Marr said, addressing the crowd. He described the overwhelming outpouring of support from the lacrosse community through messages and calls throughout the week.
A GoFundMe campaign set up to support the family with medical and financial needs has raised an astonishing sum of over $500,000, underscoring the high regard in which Gleason was held. The fundraising page remembered him as "the best father, husband, brother, son, brother-in-law, uncle, coach, and friend," noting that "his heart is as big as his 6'5" frame."
The memorial service was not just a farewell, but a powerful testament to a life that inspired dedication, love, and resilience in his family, his players, and everyone who knew him.
