Liam Gleason, Shoreham-Wading River High grad, Siena lacrosse coach, hospitalized after fall, officials say
Siena men's head lacrosse coach Liam Gleason, a 2003 graduate of Shoreham-Wading River High School, remained hospitalized Tuesday. Credit: Albany Times Union via Getty Images/Hearst Newspapers
Siena University's head men's lacrosse coach Liam Gleason, a Wading River native, remained hospitalized Tuesday after falling over the weekend in what officials described as a "serious accident" at his home.
State police and paramedics responded Sunday afternoon to the home of Gleason, 41, in Halfmoon, a town about 17 miles north of Albany. Police did not detail the specific nature of the fall or the extent of Gleason’s injuries.
An online fundraising page for Gleason, a 2003 graduate of Shoreham-Wading River High School, said he suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Gleason has led the men's lacrosse team at Siena for seven years. The 2025 team won the MAAC championship and finished the season with an 11-5 record. He was named the Division I lacrosse coach of the year in May by the Eastern College Athletic Conference.
He took over Siena's team in 2018 after serving as an assistant coach at the University at Albany.
"Men’s lacrosse head coach Liam Gleason was involved in a serious accident and has been hospitalized," the university said in a statement. "Out of respect for Coach Gleason and his family, no additional information will be provided at this time. We ask that you keep Coach Gleason and his family in your thoughts and prayers."
In 2002, when he was a player, Gleason helped his Shoreham-Wading River High lacrosse team to a state championship, said Tom Rotanz, his former coach.
Rotanz said he and Gleason had dinner two weeks ago when the Siena coach was on Long Island scouting 300 players during a lacrosse tournament in Farmingdale. He said they would frequently meet in Florida when Gleason was visiting his parents and where Rotanz now runs a seasonal lacrosse tournament.
"He was an exceptional human being and an outstanding player for us," Rotanz said. "He’d always greet you with a handshake and a hug and is someone I love dearly. He has three young children at home and nothing about this is fair."
A GoFundMe account has raised $300,000 for Gleason’s wife, Jaclyn, his daughter, Kennedy, and sons, Penn and Tate.
"The Gleason family has suffered the most unimaginable tragedy with Liam suffering a traumatic brain injury. Anyone who knows him knows what a light he is in this world," the website said. "Please keep the Gleason family in your thoughts and prayers during this heartbreaking time. Your generosity, love, and support mean more than you know."
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
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