Tributes Pour Out for Beloved Lacrosse Coach Liam Gleason, 41, Who Died After Suffering Head Injury at Home
The lacrosse community came together in a show of love and respect for the late coach Liam Gleason as hundreds of mourners attended his funeral on Saturday. The former Siena head coach, who led the Saints to several victories, passed away earlier this week after suffering a fatal head injury from a fall at his home.
Gleason's players paid their respects by placing flowers on an altar adorned with shirts that read "Liam Strong" and displayed the Siena and Albany mascots. The tribute was a testament to the coach's long connection to the Capital Region, where he played college lacrosse for Albany and later coached for the Great Danes.
Gleason's young daughter, Kennedy, delivered an emotional reading, stating her own goals in the sport and drawing applause from those in attendance. She also shared how much she loved her father and expressed her desire to follow in his footsteps by becoming a skilled lacrosse player and earning a scholarship.
Albany head coach Scott Maar, who mentored Gleason for many years, spoke fondly of his protégé, calling him "The Tree." Maar reflected on the impact Gleason had on the lives of those he touched, saying that the coach's love for the game brought people together. The longtime coach expressed gratitude for the opportunity to know Gleason and pay tribute to a man who left an indelible mark on the lacrosse community.
As the mourners gathered at Siena's campus, Maar hoped that the school would eventually host a match against Albany, citing it as a way to provide healing and closure for the community. The outpouring of love and support for Gleason was palpable, with many expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate his life.
In a poignant moment, Maar noted that "the game is the reason he was able to touch so many of us," highlighting the profound impact Gleason had on those who knew him.
The lacrosse community came together in a show of love and respect for the late coach Liam Gleason as hundreds of mourners attended his funeral on Saturday. The former Siena head coach, who led the Saints to several victories, passed away earlier this week after suffering a fatal head injury from a fall at his home.
Gleason's players paid their respects by placing flowers on an altar adorned with shirts that read "Liam Strong" and displayed the Siena and Albany mascots. The tribute was a testament to the coach's long connection to the Capital Region, where he played college lacrosse for Albany and later coached for the Great Danes.
Gleason's young daughter, Kennedy, delivered an emotional reading, stating her own goals in the sport and drawing applause from those in attendance. She also shared how much she loved her father and expressed her desire to follow in his footsteps by becoming a skilled lacrosse player and earning a scholarship.
Albany head coach Scott Maar, who mentored Gleason for many years, spoke fondly of his protégé, calling him "The Tree." Maar reflected on the impact Gleason had on the lives of those he touched, saying that the coach's love for the game brought people together. The longtime coach expressed gratitude for the opportunity to know Gleason and pay tribute to a man who left an indelible mark on the lacrosse community.
As the mourners gathered at Siena's campus, Maar hoped that the school would eventually host a match against Albany, citing it as a way to provide healing and closure for the community. The outpouring of love and support for Gleason was palpable, with many expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate his life.
In a poignant moment, Maar noted that "the game is the reason he was able to touch so many of us," highlighting the profound impact Gleason had on those who knew him.