June 9, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Former Terrapin standout Russell Payne has been named as an assistant coach for men's soccer at the University of Maryland, head coach Sasho Cirovski announced today. Payne, who led Maryland to its first-ever ACC Tournament championship in 1996, returns to his alma mater after spending several seasons playing and coaching in Europe.

"Russell was one of the pillars in the building process of our program," head coach Sasho Cirovski said. "He is an enthusiastic and charismatic person who possesses a great work ethic, and I am delighted to have him back at Maryland.

"His student-athlete experience at Maryland, combined with his professional background, made him the ideal candidate for this position."

Payne comes to Maryland after spending the playing professionally with the Shamrock Rovers (Ireland) and SV Elversberg Football Club (Germany). Prior to that, the Columbia, Md., native spent three seasons as the goalkeeper coach for the SV Elversberg U-16 team. From 2000-01, he played for Derry City (Northern Ireland) and also served as its U-18 goalkeeper coach.

Payne, who also spent time with Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids and Metrostars, coached collegiately at George Washington in 1997-98 as the goalkeeper coach under Shannon Higgins-Cirovski and as a volunteer assistant with the Terp men in 1997.

A four-year starter for the Terps (1993-96), Payne was an All-ACC selection as a sophomore and led the Atlantic Coast Conference in goals-against average as a senior with a 0.88 mark. He recorded 22.5 shutouts during his four seasons and recorded 340 saves in his career in helping Maryland to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

A C-license US Soccer Federation Coach, Payne joins Rob Vartughian on the coaching staff.