Shawn Wilkins, the 2021 IMLCA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year, begins his 14th season as an assistant coach for the RIT men's lacrosse program in 2022-23, serving as RIT’s offensive coordinator. Wilkins helped lead the Tigers to a 22-1 record and the program’s second straight NCAA Division III national championship in 2022.

Wilkins represented Team Canada as an assistant coach helping lead the team to a Silver Medal finish at the 2022 U-21 World Championships.
 
Under Wilkins' tutelage, the Tigers offense has become one of the most prolific scoring teams in all of Division III. Last season, the Tigers tallied a program-record 411 goals, finishing in the top-20 nationally averaging 17.8 goals per game, converting 47.6 percent of its chances. In his 13 seasons, Wilkins has led a potent attack that scored 4,099 goals, averaging 16.2 goals per game over that span.
 
Wilkins is highly involved with recruiting and the day-to-day operations of one of the most successful programs in the nation, and is an integral part of a program that has made 12 straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, and 12 conference championships, including berths in the 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2022 championship games. Wilkins was honored in 2013 as the Assistant Coach of the Year by the USILA, and has helped RIT to an impressive 228-24 record.

Wilkins has mentored eight conference offensive players of the year, including Dawson Tait in 2021. Ryan Barnable (2022), Shawn Nally (2018) and Allister Warren (2015) each won the Fran McCall Award as the Division III Midfielder of the Year. Kyle Killen (2018) and Ryan Lee (2015, 2017) each won the USILA Lt. J.I. (Jack) Turnbull Award as the Division III’s finest attackman, while Killen was the 2018 Iroquois Nationals Award winner recognizing Division III’s best player. Lee is the RIT all-time leader in goals (237) and points (373).

Wilkins was a two-sport (lacrosse and ice hockey) standout himself at RIT, playing midfield for the Tigers from 1998-2001, helping the Tigers to the semifinals in the 1999 NCAA Division III Tournament and a quarterfinals appearance in 2000. Wilkins was an All-Super Six selection in 1998 and 1999 and an All-Empire 8 selection in 2001. Wilkins is one of 21 players in RIT Lacrosse history to score 100 career goals (104), and is 24th all time in scoring with 147 points.

On the ice, Wilkins played both forward and defense, and was a key member of three NCAA Tournament teams, including the 2001 squad that advanced to the National Championship game. Wilkins graduated from the university in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in hospitality and service management with a minor in criminal justice.

After graduation, Wilkins played professionally for the Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse and the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League. He also played for the Italian National team in 2006 and was a member of the Canadian Jr. National team in 1996. He is on the coaching staff of the Under-19 Team Canada squad that will compete at the 2020 World Championship.
 
Wilkins, a 2019 inductee into the RIT Sports Hall of Fame, resides in Penfield with his wife Melissa, a former standout goalie with the RIT women’s hockey team and 2009 inductee into the RIT Sports Hall of Fame. They have a son Jace, and daughter Jordyn.