Charlotte Latin School has selected Spencer Wims to lead the boys' lacrosse program as the varsity head coach and will join the athletics department in a full time support role in the 2023-2024 school year. He will succeed Dick Sipperly, who retired last month after 18 years with the Hawks in which he earned multiple coach of the year accolades and secured five NCISAA state championships.
 
Wims has an extensive lacrosse background, both as a player and a coach. He earned All-American honors at the high school and collegiate levels, earning first team recognition in 2009 and 2011 as a defender at Limestone College where he helped lead the Saints to four NCAA Division II semifinal appearances and three Conference Carolinas championships. A two-year captain and the 2011 Limestone College Male Athlete of the Year, Wims earned his bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies and was then drafted by the Charlotte Hounds. He played professionally from 2012-2014 while serving as an assistant men's lacrosse coach at Belmont Abbey College, and later moved into coaching full time as the first assistant at the University of Indianapolis.
 
Most recently, Wims has served as the head coach at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL, since the fall of 2016 when he was hired to create the program. Tasked with hiring a staff, recruiting players, establishing a schedule, and all of the logistics involved in starting a new team, Wims had one year to set the foundation before diving into competition. As a former multi-sport athlete who earned All-Scholastic honors in high school, he embraced the athletic department philosophy of Student, Person, Player, and is looking forward to supporting the Hawks in a similar way.
 
"What initially drew me to Charlotte Latin is the commitment to the 'whole child,'" said Wims. "From the moment I stepped on campus, it was clear that Latin is a place that cares about the emotional, physical, and social well-being of its students. I look forward to being a part of and contributing to the culture at Charlotte Latin. I plan to build on the solid foundation that Latin has in lacrosse, and not only help our players realize success on the field, but beyond."
 
Athletic Director David Gatoux expressed confidence in Wims's ability to connect with, support, and lead the Hawks. "We are excited to welcome Coach Wims and his family to Charlotte Latin. I'm certain his past playing and coaching experiences will not only positively impact our program, but also further enhance our department's total student-athlete developmental ethos," he said.  
 
In addition to his roles within the athletic department, Wims is interested in getting involved with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts at Latin. He is looking forward to returning to the Charlotte area with his wife, Jennifer, and their two young daughters, Linkyn and Parker.