Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, NC 28274

North Carolina Southeast

Private Small Developing team

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Coaches

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Kelly McQuilkin

Kelly McQuilkin was named head women's lacrosse coach in Summer 2022, coming to the Royals from High Point University where she served as associate head women's lacrosse coach. She is the fifth head coach in the Royals' program history.

In her first season, McQuilkin led the Royals to their 10th straight winning season as they posted a 10-8 record. The Royals had a successful first season in the ASUN Conference earning the No. 4 seed heading into the postseason play where they advanced to the semifinal round fo the conference tournament. Additionally, the Royals saw four named to the ASUN All-Conference team while one was named to the ASUN All-Freshman Team. Queens also had a pair make an appearance on the all-tournament team while three competed in the IWLCA DI Senior All-Star game for the first time.

Queens notched its first DI win on the road at Gardner-Webb and the win was also the first career win for McQuilkin. Caroline Pearce went on to earn ASUN Player of the Week honors following the victory. She was the first honored with the award and one other went on to earn it as well during the season. Grace Guglielmo was the first to earn ASUN Defensive Player of the Week honors, earning the recognition twice during the regular season.

McQuilkin joined the Panthers as an assistant coach in 2017 before being promoted ahead of the fall of 2020. Serving as the recruiting, defensive, and goalie coordinator, she helped top 25 High Point win three straight Big South Tournament Championships and three Big South Regular-Season titles. Additionally, the Panthers have consistently placed defenders and keepers on the All-Big South Team while having players earn Big South Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2018, 2019, and 2021. In 2018, the Defensive Player of the Year was also the program's first All-American in history.

In addition to serving as associate head coach of the Panthers, McQuilkin has been the defensive coordinator for the Uganda Women's National Team since last summer. She also spent time as a head coach for Fusion Lacrosse Club.

As a defender for Towson University, McQuilkin served as team captain in her senior season. The three-year starter was ranked top 10 in career caused turnovers for the Tigers and helped the program's defense rank fourth in the nation for a season allowing just 6.8 goals per game. McQuilkin was also one of 100 DI lacrosse players invited to try out for the U.S. National World Cup team just ahead of her senior season. Following her collegiate career, McQuilkin played three seasons of pro-league lacrosse for the WPLL Brave where she was a key player on the defensive unit and member of the 2019 WPLL Championship Team.

McQuilkin graduated from Towson with a bachelor's degree in business administration and finance. She also has an MBA from the University of Baltimore.

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Nik Colpitts

Nik Colpitts is the fourth person chosen to lead the program in history following his stint as an assistant coach with the team during the 2023 season

Colpitts joined the Royals in the fall ahead of the program's inaugural NCAA Division I season. As an assistant coach, he was responsible for many aspects of running the program ranging from budgeting and donor relations to player development and recruiting. Colpitts also played an integral role in Queens securing both their first DI win over Hampton and first ASUN Conference win over Detroit Mercy. Queens men's lacrosse also garnered the most individual donors of any athletic team during the #QUnited giving campaign, posted a GPA of 3.2, and recorded 260 hours of community service. Additionally, members of the program earned conference accolades in year one of competition in the ASUN.

Prior to joining the Royals, Colpitts was an assistant coach with the Jacksonville Dolphins, and his primary responsibilities included coaching the face-off unit and the program's man-up unit. He also aided in designing, implementing, and executing the team's offense and game plans. The Dolphins ranked as high as No. 7 on the USILA Poll and recorded a program-high 14 wins during the 2022 season. Additionally, they were the 2022 Southern Conference Regular-Season Champions and Tournament Runners-Up with notable wins over Duke, Denver, Richmond, and High Point.

Before joining the Jacksonville staff, Colpitts served as the assistant coach and director of operations at Wingate for four seasons. The Bulldogs were 2019 SAC Regular-Season Champions while winning the SAC Tournament title in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Additionally, they made two NCAA Championship appearances with Colpitts on staff working with goalies and face-off specialists.

Colpitts has also spent time as an offensive and recruiting coordinator at the University of St. Thomas helping to lead the program to an MCLA Division II National Championship in 2016. St. Thomas also won conference tournaments in 2015 and 2016.

The new head coach holds a bachelor's degree in political science from St. Thomas and a master's degree in sports management from Wingate.

The Royals battled their way through a tough schedule in their first year of competition at the DI level this past spring. They defeated Hampton, 17-10 for their first DI win in program history. They then collected their first ASUN and home win of the DI era on Apr. 1 defeating Detroit Mercy, 9-5. Sophomore attacker Jack Royer won the program's first ASUN Player of the Week accolade while freshman midfielder Brendan Nace garnered the program's first postseason award earning a spot on the ASUN All-Freshman Team. Additionally, junior goalkeeper Wesley Wheat was named to USILA DI Team of the Week.

Quotes

“Queens made the perfect decision in hiring Nik Colpitts to lead their program into the future. It is clear they did their due diligence to find a man that would fit the place. I have never seen a young man move up the ranks so quickly by simply just doing the work the right way. He has established a reputation of having a relentless work ethic, humility, and an unmatched integrity amongst his peers. He has a clear vision for this program, and he is determined to do it for his institution. I am honored to call him a friend, and don’t look forward to having to compete against him for years to come!”

-John Galloway, Jacksonville Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach

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Joe Turner

Joe Turner joined the Royals in July of 2023, coming from Mars Hill University where he served as head coach for two seasons.

In two seasons with the Lions, Turner led the program to the most single-season wins in back-to-back seasons since 2016. He also aided in the development of two all-conference and one USILA All-South Region team members. Additionally, one of his former players is aimed at playing professionally in the National Lacrosse League.

Prior to earning his first head coaching job at Mars Hill, Turner was the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Alabama Huntsville for one season. While with the Chargers, he helped lead the team to their first Peach Belt Conference tournament appearance, win, and championship appearance. He also developed five All-PBC recipients, three PBC All-Tournament honorees, and the 2021 PBC Freshman of the Year.

Turner served as the offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Wingate University for four seasons before taking the role in Huntsville. With Turner on staff, the Bulldogs won three consecutive SAC Championships and made two NCAA Championship appearances. The 2019 NCAA DII Assistant Coach of the Year nominee also developed five USILA All-Americans and 29 All-SAC recipients.

Turner began his collegiate coaching career as the offensive assistant at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota where he saw the Tommies win two UMLC Championships in 2013 & 2014 and earn two MCLA National Tournament appearance. In 2013, the team won the MCLA DII National Championship, capping off an undefeated 17-0 campaign. Tuner then went on to spend two seasons at his alma mater, Dowling, as the offensive coordinator before heading to Wingate.

Turner graduated from Dowling in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in business management and leadership. During his senior season, he was named captain of the men’s lacrosse team, leading the Golden Lions to an NCAA Championship Title.