January 13, 1999

Shannon Cirovski, head coach of the U.S. U-18 women's team and former head coach at George Washington University, today was named head coach of the University of Maryland women's soccer program.

Shannon Cirovski on....

Returning to the ACC: "I'm looking forward to the challenge of being in the ACC. I've played in this league and have watched from a distance the competitiveness in the conference. I'm excited about the challenge."

Goals for the Maryland program: "I want to build on [former coach] Alan Kirkup's success and bring it to a new level. I'd like to see this program contend for a national title, and that means win it."

On uniqueness of serving on same athletic staff with her husband, Sasho: "Obviously Sasho and I have talked extensively about it, and what it will mean for ourselves. We're excited about being a team. We're a team in life, and that's the way we've looked at our jobs in the past as well. We're two totally different people and will bring our own strengths to the program, but I think we'll complement each other when it comes to kind of viewing each other as another assistant coach."

On attractions of Maryland job: "It's in the ACC, and the ACC is the premier league in women's soccer. Obviously that is a major selling point. I've basically been a fan of the university for the past few years. And the fact that it does have so much to offer the student-athlete made it a valid program to look at considering where I was with the national program. I'm also looking forward to having a team again, something that I'll have on a consistent basis as opposed to sporadically throughout the year. Also our family situation -- we have two young daughters -- was a challenge when Sasho and I were at different schools. I think the coordination, at least amongst ourselves, should be easier with both of us down the hall from each other."

On her coaching style: "Your style is always going to reflect the players and personalities you have on the field. I would say my style is very similar to Sasho's. We have similar philosophies on the game. It's a very attractive and attacking style, yet at the same time it is a disciplined style which meets the demands of the game. We need to play on both sides of the ball."

Cirovski (pronounced Sir-AHV-ski) will join her husband, Sasho, on the Maryland athletic staff. Sasho Cirovski, the men's soccer coach since 1993, this past season led the Terps to the Final Four for the first time since 1969. Shannon Cirovski replaces Alan Kirkup, who resigned last month to accept a similar position at the University of Arkansas.

Shannon Cirovski's appointment means a return to the Atlantic Coast Conference for an individual generally regarded as one of the pioneers of the women's game in the United States. Cirovski played on four NCAA championship teams at the University of North Carolina, was the consensus college Player of the Year in 1989, and helped lead the U.S. to the 1991 World Cup title.

"This is an exciting appointment," said athletic director Deborah A. Yow. "Shannon Cirovski is a proven winner at all levels of the game. She is widely respected at the collegiate and international levels, and is the person we believe will elevate Maryland into one of the country's elite programs, eventually competing for a national championship. She did a remarkable job in leading GWU to its first-ever NCAA Tournament in 1996, and her appointment as a full-time coach representing our country at the national level speaks for itself. We feel that the combination of Shannon and Sasho leading our women's and men's soccer programs is a unique fit for us and them.

"I appreciate the good work of associate athletic director Rob Mullens, who chaired the search committee during the selection process."

Cirovski, 30, served as head coach at George Washington from 1991-97, leading the Colonials to their only NCAA Tournament appearance (1996) in school history. She is the winningest women's soccer coach in GWU history, posting a seven-year mark of 69-59-11.

A 1990 graduate of North Carolina, the former Shannon Higgins helped lead the Tar Heels to four NCAA titles and a cumulative record of 89-0-6 from 1986-89. A two-time first team All-American, she was named national Player of the Year by Soccer America magazine in 1988 and consensus national Player of the Year in 1989. She pulled off the remarkable feat of scoring the game-winning goals in the 1987, 1988 and 1989 NCAA championship matches. She ended her career at UNC tied for first in career assists (51), fifth in scoring (129 points) and seventh in goals (39). She is one of five women's soccer players in UNC history to have her jersey number (3) retired by the university.

She continued her playing career at the international level, representing the United States in competition 51 times. She assisted on both of the U.S. team's goals in a 2-1 win over Norway in the 1991 World Cup final, this country's first world soccer title. She retired as a player following the '91 World Cup.

"Of all the players I have coached, no one is more suited to be a coach," said North Carolina women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance, who has led the Tar Heels to 15 national titles and who coached Shannon Cirovski at both the collegiate and world levels. "She is a brilliant field organizer and a tactical genius. The cliche 'coach on the field' certainly always applied to her during her playing career. Every team she presents will be well organized and difficult to play. She and her husband will do something impressive for the University of Maryland. That tandem will have tremendous repercussions for the university."

Since last April, Cirovski has served as head coach of the newly formed U.S. under-18 women's national team, with responsibilities to identify, select and train the top U-18 female players in the U.S. while also serving as an assistant on the women's national team and the women's U-20 team. The U-18 team was undefeated during her time as head coach.

Shannon Cirovski holds a U.S. Soccer "A" coaching license, and from 1994-98 served as the director of Maryland State Girl's Olympic Development Program in addition to her duties as a Region I staff coach.

The Cirovski's have two young daughters, Hailey (4) and Karli (2).