Bethesda SC hires Shannon Higgins-Cirovski as Girls Director of Coaching
GAITHERSBURG, MD. – Bethesda Soccer Club President Greg Dillon has announced the hiring of Shannon Higgins-Cirovski as Bethesda Soccer Club’s Director of Coaching for the club’s Girls Program. Cirovski is a former US Soccer National Team standout, George Washington University and University of Maryland women’s head coach as well as the US U18 National team girl’s head coach. Higgins-Cirovski will begin her duties in leading the program this May.
“Since retiring from college coaching, I have had the desire to lead a prestigious women’s soccer program,” said Higgins-Cirovski. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to return Bethesda Soccer Club to the highest level of play, and quality of player development, that led to state cup, Region 1 and National championship titles” said Higgins-Cirovski
Bethesda Soccer Club, a Generation Adidas club, is one of few clubs in the nation that has teams participating in the top soccer programs for both boys and girls. The Elite Clubs National League is the top rated girls youth soccer program in the country (U14 to U18). In addition, Bethesda Soccer Club has a large youth development program (U8 to U12) along with teams that competing regionally and for the prestigious Maryland State Cup.
“We are excited with the announcement to have Shannon lead our girls program into the future,” said Dillon. “She is a great role model for our young players. Shannon has accepted this opportunity to achieve our club’s mission and lead our ‘holistic approach to long-term elite player development for every girl or young woman coming to the Bethesda Soccer Club.” Shannon’s dedication and commitment, along with her unbelievable amount of soccer knowledge and experience has made her very successful at molding and developing young women as soccer players, students, and leaders.
Higgins-Cirovski’s coaching accolades include twice being named the Atlantic 10 coach of the year as well as twice being named the ACC coach of the year. She was inducted into the George Washington University Hall of Fame in 2002.
As a player, Higgins-Cirovski was one of the most decorated mid-fielders in women’s soccer. She was a four time National Champion at the University of North Carolina and two times National Player of the Year. She was the starting center midfielder on the US National team from 1987 to 1991 and led the team to a World Championship. She was named to the Soccer American Team of the Decade for the 1990’s and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2002.
