June 26, 2002

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - On Monday, Maryland women's soccer head Shannon Higgins-Cirovski was selected for induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Here's some of what has been said about her selection.

North Carolina head coach and 1991 World Cup coach Anson Dorrance: "Obviously we felt it was only a matter of time until Shannon was elected to the Soccer Hall of Fame. When she played here at UNC she had one of the great soccer minds I've ever been around in the college game. She was an exceptional tactical player. Even more impressively she left her mark all over the 1991 World Cup Championship team. She was one of the great architects of that team's success."

U.S. Women's National Team Coach & '91 World Cup teammate April Heinrichs: Shannon was truly one of the great players of the 1991 team that won the World Cup. I'm thrilled for her to be named to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. She's very deserving of the recognition. She was one of the great center midfielders. She understood the game tactically and controlled the tempo, changing the point and helping us advance the ball up the field. It's a wonderful honor for her."

Maryland Athletics Director Deborah A. Yow: "Shannon is an extraordinary athlete and coach. Over time, she will add yet another accolade to her long list of achievements...Coach of the National Champion Maryland Terrapins."

Husband and Maryland men's soccer coach Sasho Cirovski: "What an incredible honor this is for Shannon. It is extremely well deserved. It's great to see the Soccer Hall of Fame remember and acknowledge her accomplishments at an early age before she retired to devote her time to her family and coaching career. I think I am the luckiest man on earth. She's a hall of fame wife, a hall of fame mother and now a soccer hall of famer."