Queens University of Charlotte Men's Lacrosse

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. 2025 First win streak in Division I era with two Nicky West named All-ASUN First Team Deacon Adams, Jacob Schreck, and Michael White named All-ASUN Second Team Grant Isika named Academic All-ASUN Team Ethan Scaffidi and Jacob Schreck earned All-ASUN weekly honors Earned Royals Service Award for November 2024 Recorded first career win as head coach over Hampton. Recorded first ASUN win as head coach over Lindenwood. Callin Harris and Jacob Martin earned ASUN Player of the Week honors. Wesley Wheat recorded over 300 career saves. Jack Royer recorded over 100 career points. Finished 9th in ASUN standings. 2023 Program recorded first DI win over Hampton. Program recorded first ASUN Conference win over Detroit Mercy. Jack Royer named program’s first ASUN Player of the Week. Wesley Wheat named to USILA DI Team of the Week for week of April 3. Wesley Wheat set a new single-game program record for saves with 26 against Jacksonville. Micah Stechmiller scored first DI goal vs. Navy. Brendan Nace Named to ASUN All-Conference Team. Program 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. Jacksonville University Was an assistant coach with the Jacksonville Dolphins. Ranked as high as No. 7 on the USILA Poll. Recorded a program-high 14 wins during the 2022 season. Was the 2022 Southern Conference Regular-Season Champions and Tournament Runners-Up. Had notable wins over Duke, Denver, Richmond, and High Point. Wingate University Served as the assistant coach and director of operations at Wingate for four seasons. Won the 2019 SAC Regular-Season. Won the SAC Tournament title in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Made two NCAA Championship appearances with Colpitts on staff. University of St. Thomas Spent time as an offensive and recruiting coordinator. Helped lead the program to an MCLA Division II National Championship in 2016. Won conference tournaments in 2015 and 2016.   Personal Colpitts holds a bachelor's degree in political science from St. Thomas and a master's degree in sports management from Wingate.

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.  

Purpura joins the Royals lacrosse coaching staff as the offensive coordinator for his first season in 2015-2016. Purpura comes to Charlotte from Frostburg State University, where he was an assistant coach for one season.  While at Frostburg, the Bobcats were ranked as high as No. 17 in the USILA National Poll and finished 16-3. While an assistant, Purpura helped the Bobcats to the fewest turnovers per game in the nation. They also ranked sixth in goals against average, 21 st in goals scored per game, and fifth in clearing percentage. Purpura also helped lead Frostburg to a CAC Championship appearance for the first time in program history. Additionally, he helped coach and develop the first three Frostburg USILA All-Americans, as well as eight all-CAC players. Prior to working at Frostburg, Purpura was an assistant coach and offensive coordinator at SUNY Brockport for a season. Under Purpuras tutelage, the Golden Eagles increased goals scored per game, shooting percentage, and extra man offense. While at Brockport, Purpura helped coach and develop Brockports first USILA All-American and three All-SUNYAC selections. Purpura also coached Sweetlax Lacrosse Club for three summers, and helped mentor and develop multiple high-school all-Americans. A native of Pittsford, N.Y., Purpura was also a standout lacrosse player. He was named an Adidas All-American and represented the United States at the Brogden Cup. Purpura began his collegiate career at Mount Saint Marys University before transferring to SUNY Geneseo. While at Geneseo, Purpura helped the Knights reach a ranking as high as 12th in the nation according to the USILA Weekly Poll. Geneseo also made consecutive SUNYAC playoff appearances including a SUNYAC Championship appearance. Purpura graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a bachelors degree in 2013 after majoring in sociology and minoring in Geography. Purpura then completed his Masters of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in business and health and physical education from Frostburg State in 2015.  

Peters joined the men’s lacrosse staff in November 2024 as a volunteer before being promoted to assistant coach/defensive coordinator ahead of the 2025-26 academic year. He assisted the previous defensive coordinator and ran the man down defensive unit. Peters also assisted with scouting reports, recruiting, operations and planning, and player development. Before joining the Royals coaching staff, Peters was one of two defensive coordinators at Hough High School. He joined the staff at Hough after completing his collegiate career at High Point University where he was a captain on the men’s lacrosse team. Peters was named to the All-SoCon Second Team following his final season. In 2021, he was a part of the program’s leadership committee, helping the team reach the SoCon Championship.   Peters graduated from High Point with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in communication and business leadership.  

Rowse comes to the Royals after serving as the assistant mens lacrosse coach at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pa. While with W&J, Rowse worked as the defensive coordinator. His responsibilities included defensive player development, defensive schemes and defensive game planning. He also had recruiting duties for seven states, and assisted in budgeting, fundraising, alumni relations, academic advisement, preparation of practice plans, and supervision of weight training programs.   Prior to becoming a collegiate coach, Rowse was a four-year starter on the men's lacrosse team at Robert Morris University where he earned a bachelors degree in business administration with a specialization in marketing. During his time there, Rowse helped the Colonials to their first winning season in 2009, a national ranking at No. 20 in 2010, and a NEC playoff berth in 2011.  He also helped Robert Morris collect some of the biggest wins in program history, defeating Penn State in 2009 and 2010, Ohio State in 2010, and No. 17 Bucknell in 2011. Rowse was named team captain during his senior season.   Rowse has also worked as a coach with the Maryland Raptors Lacrosse, FASTLAX Lacrosse and the Pittsburgh Revolution Lacrosse Clubs.