Maryland Extends Cirovski Duo's Contracts Another Seven Seasons
2/10/2003 7:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 10, 2003
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Maryland Athletics Director Deborah A. Yow announced today the extension of the contracts of men's soccer head coach Sasho Cirovski and head women's soccer coach Shannon Higgins-Cirovski. The married duo's contracts run through the 2009 season.
"Shannon and Sasho are special people, as well as extraordinarily talented coaches," said Yow. "I believe we will win national championships in both sports under the leadership of the Cirovski's. We are blessed to have them in leadership roles for our student athletes."
According to the Cirovski's, "We are extremely excited about signing on for seven more years. We truly feel this is where we belong. We love the University of Maryland and it's gratifying to see that the feeling is mutual. We're delighted Debbie Yow has made not only this terrific commitment to us, but also to the significant improvements of Ludwig Field. These improvements will benefit our recruiting as well as the overall experience of our student-athletes and our loyal fans."
Cirovski just finished one of the best years in Maryland program history, leading the Terps to a school-record 20 wins and his second national semifinal game in five seasons. The Terps claimed the 2002 ACC championship by blanking Virginia 3-0 in the final, and both Sumed Ibrahim (Tamale, Ghana) and Scott Buete (Bowie, Md.) earned All-American recognition. After celebrating his 10th season at Maryland last fall, Cirovski begins the 2003 season with the same team he took to the College Cup semifinals after having no graduating seniors or early departures. His men's soccer team finished the season ranked third nationally with a 20-5 record after the team's eighth NCAA appearance and second conference crown under his direction. His career record is an impressive 157-87-15 (.635).
"The first 10 years have been a lot of fun and our many accomplishments are a great source of pride," said Cirovski, who took this year's Terps to an ACC championship. "I look forward to continuing the great tradition we've established of being a team that is fun to watch and respected for their approach to the game."
Higgins-Cirovski just claimed her second ACC Coach of the Year nod in her four years at Maryland and celebrated induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Oct. 14, 2002, in honor of her decorated playing career at North Carolina. She was just the third woman and the youngest person ever to be enshrined. Higgins-Cirovski led the Terps to 11 regular season wins, the most since her arrival in College Park. She has led the Terps to two NCAA appearances, and has three for her career to go along with her three conference coach of the year honors. Her career record stands at 111-95-15 (.536) and her Terps were ranked 19th at the end of the 2002 season after a 13-8-1 campaign.
"I am honored and excited about being at the University of Maryland for the next seven years," commented Higgins-Cirovski. "Obviously, I am ecstatic that Sasho and I will continue to be a team here at Maryland. I am very excited about how the program has grown, as well as where it is heading and where it can go in the next seven years. Maryland, which plays in the elite soccer conference in the nation in the ACC, has a chance to be one of the premier programs in the country, and I'm thrilled to be the person to have the chance to take Maryland to that elite level."
