VESTAL, N.Y. – Binghamton men's lacrosse player Mason Shenk has been named a member of the inaugural class of recipients for the Coach Liam Gleason Humanitarian Award, which was announced by the Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) Wednesday.
 
Shenk is one of 77 NCAA Division I men's lacrosse student-athletes, along with Gleason's daughter Kennedy, to receive the honor. Each NCAA Division I men's lacrosse program chose a student-athlete on its team to receive the award at the end of the 2026 season. The award honors individuals who exemplify leadership, unwavering support for teammates and staff, outstanding sportsmanship and meaningful community involvement.
 
"This is truly one of the most meaningful honors I have ever received," said Shenk. "To be recognized in the name of someone who made such a lasting impact on the sport is an incredible blessing. I can only hope to live my life moving forward with the same selflessness and character that Liam Gleason exemplified."
 
"Mason is an extremely selfless teammate," said Binghamton Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Kevin McKeown. "In all four years on campus, he has always worked extremely hard, even when he was not in a position of playing on game day.  He even changed positions from close defense to defensive midfield multiple times.  Mason is one to always look out for others, but also hold others accountable to program standards. He has also participated in multiple community service events both on and off campus."
 
The award was created in January of 2026 by family members, former coaches and friends close to Liam Gleason. Gleason, who served as the Head Coach of the Siena men's lacrosse program, passed away on Dec. 3, 2025, at the age of 41. Throughout the 2026 season, lacrosse programs across the country, including here at Binghamton, honored Gleason for the impact he made on and off the field.
 
"Being a light in the world means spreading kindness, love, and positivity to those around you – helping dispel darkness and negativity," Sue Gleason said in a press release announcing the award recipients. "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."
 
Shenk completed his senior season at Binghamton back in April. In 2026, the defensive midfielder appeared in 12 games, setting career highs in both ground balls (11) and caused turnovers (5).
 
Throughout his time in the Southern Tier, the Atlantic Highlands, N.J., native also succeeded off the field. In 2024, he qualified for both the America East Conference's Spring and Commissioner's honor rolls. That year, Shenk also achieved a 4.0 GPA during the spring semester. In 2025, Shenk was inducted into the National College Athlete Honor Society. To be eligible for induction, a student-athlete must have achieved a junior academic standing by their fifth semester, have attained at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average and have participated in a sport sponsored by the NCAA. Shenk ultimately graduated earlier this May with a bachelor's degree in finance.
 
Station 45 American Chop House is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Men's Lacrosse.