Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame Spotlight: Graham Zusi
The journey of one of Maryland soccer’s all-time greats as he enters the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 16.
Brady Ruth, Staff Writer
10/15/2026
Graham Zusi thought he was hopping on a quick Zoom call to catch up with his former head coach Sasho Cirovski.
That wasn’t the case.
“The purpose of this call is not to check in with you,” an emotional Cirovski said. “The purpose of this call is to let you know that this fall, you’re going to be inducted into the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame, and I couldn’t be more proud of you because you’ve earned the right with your amazing four-year career.”
Zusi rounds out the 2026 Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame Class and will have his legacy cemented at the induction ceremony on Oct. 16.
“That caught me completely off-guard,” Zusi told Cirovski. “That’s incredible.”
Zusi made the absolute most of his four years in College Park. As a true freshman, he flexed his versatility as both a midfielder and a forward. He played in 23 games, scoring in the NCAA semifinals en route to Maryland’s national championship.
He returned to College Park last season for the 20-year reunion of Maryland’s 2005 team.
“I’m already looking forward to the next one,” Zusi said.
He led the team in goals in 2006 and assists in 2007 before becoming one of only five Terps to be part of multiple national championship teams as Maryland claimed another crown in 2008.
Zusi went on to play professionally for over a decade. A longtime member of Sporting KC, he also competed for international glory with the United States World Cup team in 2014.
With 28 career goals in college and 32 in MLS, Zusi established himself as a premier soccer player at every level. His diverse skillset and drive for success earned him a spot in Maryland immortality.
Maryland Athletics Hall of Famer and M Club Executive Director Renaldo Nehemiah joined Zusi and Cirovski’s call to congratulate him on joining elite company in the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame.
“There are a lot of great players,” Nehemiah said. “But only the crème de la crème gets into the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame. You epitomize that, both here and on to your professional career, as well. I’m so honored and humbled to have your talent added to the Hall of Fame.”
Zusi will return to College Park this week to celebrate his legacy and join the all-time greats as the 15th men’s soccer member to join the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame. He brought two national titles to Maryland soccer, lifted the program and enjoyed a long professional career.
Now, Maryland gets to celebrate him.
