Feb. 2, 2007
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. - Maryland men's soccer head coach Sasho Cirovski shared his story with some of sports' most successful people and with the world's top business professionals this past weekend at the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) 2007 Coaches Clinic.
The YPO is comprised of over 10,000 business leaders in 80 countries and its purpose is to bring those people together to exchange ideas, pursue learning, and share strategies to achieve personal and professional growth and success. Members of the YPO must apply prior to their 45th birthday and be responsible for the full operation of a qualifying corporation. Businesses must meet certain requirements in order for their leader to be considered into the YPO, including net worth assets of $10 million dollars.
Speaking at the clinic along with Cirovski were sports icons such as:
Billy Beane - Oakland Athletics general manager; MLB Executive of the Year in 2002
Brandi Chastain - gave US Women's Soccer team World Cup title with clinching PK in 1999
Chuck Daly - head coach of the original Dream Team that won gold in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona
Alexi Lalas - President and General Manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy; former US National Team member
Ronnie Lott - played 14 seasons in the NFL; won four Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers
Joe Montana - legendary 49ers quarterback; won four Super Bowls
Jerry Rice - best wide receiver of all-time; won three Super Bowls with the 49ers
John Robinson - legendary football coach for USC, Los Angeles Rams, and UNLV
Cirovski spoke on Saturday morning at the The Lodge at Pebble Beach with a presentation entitled "From Losing to Winning: Injecting Management Techniques into Coaching Challenges." Brad Keywell, who organized the YPO 2007 Coaches Clinic, said the following regarding Cirovski's presentation:
"Sasho's contribution to this event was exceptional. He shared the same stage with some of the greats in athletics - people like Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Brandi Chastain, John Robinson, Ronnie Lott, Chuck Daly, Alexi Lalas, and Billy Beane - and he delivered his message in a powerful, thought-provoking way. Hearing about Sasho's recipe for creating and sustaining excellence, and his methodology in building winning teams and identifying team leaders, was an inspiration to all of the attendees."
Cirovski has seen nothing but success since taking the helm of the men's soccer program in 1993. The Terrapins have advanced to the NCAA Tournament 12 times, made it to the College Cup five times, and captured the 2005 national championship. His student-athletes have also achieved a high level of success as Jason Garey became the program's first Hermann Trophy winner in 2005. He has mentored 28 MLS players with two of his student-athletes being drafted No. 1 overall in the MLS SuperDraft.
"It was an incredible honor to be asked to speak at such a distinguished event alongside such icons and in front of some of the world's leading business people," Cirovski said. "Listening to all the coaches and players tell their stories made me a better coach and better person. I also found great value in sharing stories of success with all the of the attendees over the three days. I treasured the experience."
Cirovski is also in his fourth season as the chairman of the men's soccer NSCAA Division I committee. During his tenure, he created the position of NSCAA Program Director which is the singular voice of college soccer in dealing with NCAA legislative issues, overseeing College Cups, and elevating the significance and status of the sport as a whole. Cirovski was also vital in putting together the television partnership between Fox Soccer Channel and the NSCAA. The international television station airs 12 men's games and eight women's games every year.
Cirovski won his 200th game at Maryland on October 24, 2006 against Bucknell. He joined Doyle Royal, Maryland's first and longest tenured head coach as the only two coaches to reach the 200-win plateau. They are also the coaches that brought the Terps' two national titles back to College Park. Cirovski's record in College Park is 203-94-16 in 14 seasons.
