via press release   DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Following a lengthy national search, the Embry-Riddle Athletics administration announced its selection of Spencer Wims as the head coach of the Eagles’ men’s lacrosse program on Sunday. “We are thrilled to add Spencer to our Embry-Riddle family.” ERAU Director of Athletics John Phillips said. “He has had success at every level, both playing and coaching, and his passion for student-athletes and the game of lacrosse was evident from our first conversation.” Wims comes to Embry-Riddle from the University of Indianapolis. He was selected as the program’s first assistant coach in 2015 and helped guide a Greyhound squad that included 27 freshmen to a No. 4 seed in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament and a No. 19 ranking in the USILA/Nike Coaches Poll in the program’s inaugural season in 2016. UIndy’s defensive, recruiting and face-off coordinator, he coached three ECAC Rookies of the Week, as well as league offensive, defensive and specialist honorees. The Greyhounds’ scoring and man-down defenses were ranked 12^th in 2016 and UIndy’s eight-win season included victories over sixth-ranked Lake Erie and 17^th-ranked Lindenwood. Prior to going to UIndy, Wims was the top assistant at Belmont Abbey for four seasons where he helped the Crusaders to school single-season records in wins (11) in 2013 and 2015. He helped coach seven All-Conference defensive players, including the program’s first All-American and 2015 Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year Devin Cruz, and improved Belmont Abbey’s scoring defense rank from 30^th to 15^th. Wims was a two-time United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association All-American at Limestone College, earning first team recognition in 2009 and 2011. A two-year team captain, he led the Saints to four NCAA national semifinal appearances and three Conference Carolinas championships. At the conclusion of his collegiate career, Wims went to the Charlotte Hounds in the 18^th round of the Major League Lacrosse draft. He played three seasons of professional lacrosse with the Hounds as well as one season with the Charlotte Copperheads professional indoor squad. “Spencer is exactly the right person to help begin our men’s lacrosse program,” Phillips stated. “He brings tremendous Division II playing experience from his time at Limestone, along with top-notch experience as an assistant coach at both Belmont-Abbey and the University of Indianapolis. He will be a natural fit into our culture at Embry-Riddle and I’m excited to work with him to help build our men’s lacrosse program.” Wims earned his bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Limestone in 2011. What They’re Saying About Wims Christopher Barrett – Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach, Belmont Abbey Spencer has grown up with the game of lacrosse. He really helped me get this program to the national level. He has excellent recruiting ability and is a tireless worker. When we took this job together we had 24 guys in the program. Upon his departure to UIndy, we had just had the best season in program history with a 12-5 record and a roster size of 50. He does a great job of forming relationships with the players and parents of recruits. I know he has the ability to start a program from the ground up.