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.
Just heard about Liam Gleason... tragic loss 4 a legend in lacrosse 
. Hope Albany & Siena get that match going, healin' wounds for the community 
. As a wellness guru, I'm reminded that our physical health is just one aspect of what makes us whole; mental well-being and relationships are just as vital 
. The outpouring of love for Gleason is a beautiful tribute to his legacy, and it's amazing how sports can bring people together like that 
i think it would be great if albanys campus has a memorial or something for him so people can go pay their respects its clear he made a huge impact on the lacrosse community 
i hope his legacy lives on through the kids who loved playing lacrosse under him & the community comes together like they did at the funeral to keep his memory alive 
. It's amazing to see how something as simple as a game can bring people together and create such an impact 
️. My heart goes out to Coach Liam's family and friends 
. I'm so glad his daughter is following in his footsteps and gonna keep the spirit of the game alive. That's what it's all about – giving back and making a difference in people's lives 
He sounds like an amazing person & an incredible coach! It's heartbreaking that he's gone too soon 
Scott Maar's words about how the game brought people together is so true - it's amazing how sports can do that 
I mean, have you guys tried to post a new thread and it gets stuck in moderation? Like, what's up with that?! 
. the lacrosse community is really stepping up to pay tribute to him, it's beautiful to see people coming together for someone who made such a difference in their lives 
. The way his players paid tribute by placing flowers on an altar with shirts that read "Liam Strong" is just so touching 
... my heart is breaking for him and Kennedy 
His daughter Kennedy sounds like a strong and determined kid, I'm sure she'll make her old man proud. 
The lacrosse community coming together for him is amazing, but let's not forget the importance of player safety - if only he had worn that helmet properly... 
like? sounds so intense i've never played it before... anyway this guy Liam Gleason seems super nice and loved by everyone he coached his daughter Kennedy and she's gonna follow in his footsteps which is really cool 
did he have any pets btw?
. I'm glad Siena is considering hosting a match against Albany to provide some closure for the community. It's clear that Liam left an indelible mark on everyone he touched 
. I'm sure we'll hear from Albany head coach Scott Maar about getting a rematch with Siena, hope that brings some comfort to the community 
. It's wonderful to see Albany head coach Scott Maar paying tribute to Gleason's lasting legacy in the sport, and I do hope that Siena will host a match against Albany soon as a way to provide healing and closure for the community