Inside the Maryland men’s soccer team’s locker room, signs of positive words cover the walls.
No matter where the Terps players look, they’re reminded of the squad’s values. In one corner the Maryland players see “Perseverance,” while in another they see “Commitment” and “Concentration.” On the field, the positive messages don’t stop. Coach Sasho Cirovski writes “WW” on his wrist, which stands for “winning words.”
Since Cirovski took the Terps heading coach job in 1993, he’s made positivity a core value of the team. By doing so, he’s led Maryland to two national championships and 18 Sweet 16s.
The Terps relied on an upbeat mindset as they completed their first undefeated season since 1968. As Maryland attempts to win its third consecutive Big Ten conference tournament title and first national championship since 2008, it’ll continue to lean on their coach’s optimistic message.
“It’s a core of who I am,” Cirovski said. “We want to keep a positive but inspirational tone the way we communicate player-to-player and player-to-coach. We wanted to show trust and confidence through the idea that winning words leads to winning ways.”
Before each season, the Terps hold a program called Winning Ways. It involves a week-long personal development workshop and has been a mainstay in Cirovski’s 23 years with the squad. During that week, the players have sessions with Cirovski and other coaches to learn how to stay positive even if they’re unhappy about their performance.
Cirovski’s slogan for Maryland is “Building Champions and Pursuing Championships,” and this program is one of the ways he develops players to do so. A player’s personality is also one of the biggest factors in Cirovski’s recruitment process. For example, before adding transfer Gordon Wild to the roster this past winter, Cirovski called Greg Hooks, his former coach at South Carolina Upstate, and Wild’s mom, Irene, to make sure his personality would fit his program.
Goalkeeper Cody Niedermeier credited the Terps’ chemistry as a reason for their success this season, and the senior said the team wouldn’t be as united if Cirovski didn’t bring in selfless players.
“It showed me how ambitious we have to be to win something this year,” Wild said. “All this stuff we do about mindset, it really got into our DNA. We try to embrace it. You also see when we don’t do it; we’re struggling. Thankfully we’re always able to bounce back.”
The team emphasizes positivity every practice and game. Robert Kehoe, the founder of the Winning Ways national program, helps that cause by sending letters with lessons throughout the year.
That optimism has helped Maryland through the trying times this season. After the Terps let up a goal, the squad huddles together on the field and encourages each other. On 14 of 15 of those occasions, they’ve responded with a score.
And when Cirovski becomes intense, yelling at his players and the referees, the Terps know it’s because he wants to get the best effort from his team.
“It makes you believe in the process,” Niedermeier said. “If you’re not playing, keep working hard. If you’re on the field, just keep working. Everything in the end works out, especially here at Maryland. Sasho has the best interest for everyone on and off the field. If we do all the little things, there’s nothing that can stop us.”
Cirovski has coached dozens of players who’ve brought his mental tactics with them to the professional ranks. Niedermeier said Cirovski’s upbeat style has given him confidence to set goals for a professional career.
For now, however, Niedermeier and the Terps are focused on winning their third national championship in the past 11 years. And whenever they feel pressure throughout this postseason, the players will be able to look toward their locker room walls and coach’s wrist for assurance.
“It’s everything from when a player makes a mistake, and I say, ‘It’s OK. File it and move on. I believe in you,'” Cirovski said. “Things that encourage them and have them get over the hump of feeling down. More than anything, I want them to know I’m their biggest backer.
“Our program is about nurturing, it’s about caring and it’s about developing great people. If you do those things right, you have a good chance to win championships.”
