WORCESTER, Mass. - Holy Cross men's lacrosse senior Will Messineo was named to the inaugural class for the Coach Liam Gleason Humanitarian Award. Messineo joins 76 other NCAA Division I men's lacrosse student athletes as a recipient of the award in 2026.

"Will is a senior captain for our team and has worked all year to connect our team as a group and individuals," said head coach J.L. Reppert. "He is always available to provide support, guidance and mentorship for his teammates and willing to 'lead up' in communicating with coaches and staff to put our team in the best position for success. Will, unfortunately, had a season ending wrist injury during our game against Colgate. This has not changed his impact on our team or his willingness to help the team in any way possible. Will's toughness, selflessness and compassion embody Coach Gleason's spirit and provide a living reminder of the man and coach Liam was."

Messineo started all seven of the Crusaders' matchups before his season-ending injury. Messineo racked up 13 points on seven goals and six assists, finding the back of the net in all but one matchup. A native of Ridgewood, N.J., Messineo finishes his career at Holy Cross with 54 points on 41 goals and 13 assists in 46 games played.

The Liam Gleason Humanitarian Award, established in January 2026 by family members, former coaches, and friends close to Liam, honors its inaugural group of recipients exemplifying leadership, unwavering support for teammates and staff, outstanding sportsmanship, and meaningful community involvement.

Each NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Program selected a student athlete from their team to receive the Liam Gleason Humanitarian Award at the conclusion of the 2026 season. Voted on by players, coaches, and staff, this honor is awarded to the individual on the roster whose teammates most aspire to emulate. 

The program will provide the opportunity for Coach Gleason's legacy to live on for years to come, something for his family and children to witness. "Being a light in the world means spreading kindness, love, and positivity to those around you – helping dispel darkness and negativity. Simple acts of compassion can illuminate the lives of others and inspire them to do the same. Liam was that light in the world, and even though his physical presence is gone, his light continues to shine," said Sue Gleason. 

To learn more about the Liam Gleason Humanitarian Award, visit: www.CoachGleason.com

2026 Coach Liam Gleason Humanitarian Award Recipients
Kennedy Gleason
Air Force Academy : Nolan Parlette (Sr.) Goalie | Management
Bellarmine University : John Alie (Sr.) Attack | Finance
Binghamton University : Mason Shenk (Sr.) D-Mid | Finance
Boston University : Ethan Hart (Sr.) Midfield | Communications
Brown University : Trey Taylor (Sr.) Defense | Pre-Law
Bryant University : Zack Bender (Sr.) SSDM | Finance
Bucknell University : Louie Germain (Sr.) Defense | Political Science
Canisius University : Josh Verhagen (Sr.) Defense | Education
Cleveland State University : Justin Dalum (Sr.) Goalie | Business
Colgate University : Hunter Drouin (Sr.) Attack | Political Science
College of the Holy Cross : Will Messineo (Sr.) Midfield | Economics
Cornell University : Matthew Dooley (Sr.) Defense | Applied Economics and Management
Dartmouth College : Hopper Zappitello (Sr.) Attack | Government
Drexel University : Anthony Chiango (RS Fr.) Attack & Midfield | Business
Duke University : Aiden Maguire (Sr.) SSDM | Finance
Fairfield University : Jake Gilbert (Sr.) Attack | Finance
Georgetown University : Lucas Dudemaine (Sr.) Midfield | Finance
Hampton University : Canyon Steverson (Sr.) Midfield | Cyber Security- Criminal Justice
Harvard University : Jack Speidell (Jr.) Attack | Government
High Point University : Ryan Hynes (Sr.) Midfield | Finance
Hobart College : James Hamilton (So.) Defensive Midfield | Business and Entrepreneurship
Hofstra University : Jon Singer (Gr.) Goalie | Physical Education
Iona University : Jimmy Kennedy (Jr.) Midfield | Business
Jacksonville University : Jack Taylor (Sr.) Attack | Business
Johns Hopkins University : Eric McDonald (Sr.) Defensive Midfield | Political Science
Lafayette College : Zach Zukowsky (Sr.) Midfield | Economics
Lehigh University : Peter Theodoropoulos (Sr.) Midfield | Finance
LeMoyne College : Owen Wilson (Sr.) Attack | Business
Long Island University : Clif Hawkins (So.) Midfield | Health Sciences
Loyola University Maryland : Luike Murphy (Sr.) Midfield | Finance
Manhattan University : Andrew Giandonato (Sr.) Defense | Finance
Marist University : Drew Anderson (Sr.) Midfield | Business Administration - Finance Concentration
Marquette University : Andrew Bowman (Sr.) Midfield | Supply Chain Management
Mercer University : Matthew Burnside (Sr.) Midfield | Marketing
Mercyhurst University : Adam Schembri (So.) SSDM | Business
Merrimack College : Reid Betner (Sr.) Defense | Health Sciences
Monmouth University : Miles Edmiston (Sr.) Defense | Business
Mount St. Mary's University : Kevin Whitty (Sr.) Attack | Accounting
New Jersey Institute of Technology : Owen Mercado (Sr.) Dmid | Civil Engineering
Ohio State University : Griffin Liedel (Sr.) LSM | logistics management
Penn State University : Mark McKeon (Sr.) D-Mid | Accounting
Princeton University : David Smythe (Sr.) Midfield | Computer Science
Providence College : Jackson Coutu (Sr.) Midfield | Management major
Queens University of Charlotte : Zach Miller (Sr.) Attack | Business Management
Quinnipiac University : Ryan Downing (Sr.) LSM | Health Science Studies
Robert Morris University : Sam Colón (Sr.) Defense | News & Sports Communications
Rutgers University : Justin Lawler (5th Year / Grad) Midfield | Master's - Political Science
Sacred Heart University : Luke Catolico (5th Year / Grad) Defensive Midfield | Finance
Saint Joseph's University : Liam Quinn (Sr.) Defense | Finance
Siena University : RJ Ihlefeld (Sr.) Long Stick Midfielder (Captain) | Business
St. Bonaventure University : Patrick Shanahan (Jr.) Attack | Biology
St. John's University : Joey Asterino (Jr.) Attack | Business
Stony Brook University : Robbie Smith (Sr.) Face-off | Business
Syracuse University : Michael Ippoliti (Jr.) Goalie | Finance
The University of Utah : Nikko Diponio (Sr.) Defense | Communications
Towson University : Ryan Schrier (Sr.) Attack/Midfield | Economics
UMass Amherst : Blaise New (Jr.) D-Mid | Finance
UMass Lowell : Colby Frigon (Jr.) Attack | Criminal Justice
University at Albany : Max Neeson (Sr.) Defense | Human Development & Counseling Psychology
University of Delaware : Jason Kolar (5th) Midfield | International Business
University of Denver : Watt Muir (So.) Attack | Finance
University of Detroit Mercy : Danton Molotky (Sr.) Midfield | Business
University of Maryland : AJ Larkin (Sr.) Long stick midfielder | Communication
University of Maryland, Baltimore County : Dante Marinello (Sr.) Defense | Financial Economics
University of Michigan : John Morgan (Gr.) Attack | Sport Management
University of North Carolina : Grant Pierce (Sr.) LSM | Communications
University of Notre Dame : Fisher Finley (Grad.) Midfield
University of Pennsylvania : Matthew Till (Jr.) LSM | PPE, concentrating on Choice and Behavior
University of Richmond : Jack Ricciardi (Sr.) Attack | Accounting
University of Vermont : Ryker Demarest (Sr.) Defense
University of Virginia : Truitt Sunderland (Sr.) Attackman | Media Studies
US Military Academy West Point : Sean Byrne (Sr.) Goalie
US Naval Academy : Race Ripley (Sr.) Attack | Quantitative Economics
Villanova University : Jack Gormley (Jr.) Defense | Economics
Virginia Military Institute : Cole Jones (Sr.) Midfielder | International Studies
Wagner College : Jacob Wood (So.) Defense | Finance
Yale University : George Northup (Jr.) Goalie

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross men's lacrosse team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
X - @HCrossMLAX | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrossmlax | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Men's Lacrosse | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross