Men’s soccer coach Sasho Cirovski exited the bus, clutching the national championship trophy in his arms as if he’d never let go, and stood amongst the throng of students. The team followed him off the bus, which was preceded by a police escort, and began to bounce up and down with their fans in celebration.

It was around 10:30 p.m., and the national champions had just arrived on the campus, a few minutes behind the three buses that took more than 110 students, myself included, to Cary, N.C., for the College Cup national championship game.

That moment symbolizes how important the soccer team has become to this university, and the close-knit relationship between the men’s soccer team and their fans. The selfless nature of the team, in addition to their impressive talent, is why so many fans have fallen for the soccer team.

From recruiting to coaching to performance, the men’s soccer program has entrenched itself as one of the best programs in the country – and it is the top overall program on this campus.

The celebration scene was one of the many highlights, along with watching the entire Mighty Ducks trilogy on the bus rides.

Although the women’s basketball team trounced Arizona earlier in the day and the men came through with a big conference win over Boston College, Sunday was all about the soccer team.

I am not a member of “The Crew,” but I have developed an interest in following the men’s soccer team, attended several games this season and wanted to see the Terps clinch their first national championship since 1968.

Over the past four years, when the team reached the College Cup each season, the bond between the players and the fans grew closer, evidenced by the team’s tradition of high-fiving fans after each home game. At 13 home games this year, the team averaged more than 2,500 fans, more than last season when they finished fourth in the nation in average attendance.

The game against New Mexico was played in a competitive and exciting atmosphere. Almost 7,000 fans packed the SAS Soccer Stadium in Cary, and most were cheering for the Terps.

“It was like being at Ludwig Field,” Cirovski said after the Terps’ semifinals win over Southern Methodist.

From what I could tell from watching the men’s basketball game on the bus (yes, it had satellite), the environment at Comcast Center was electric, more than it had been so far this season.

That electricity can be felt at all of the soccer team’s home games, regardless of the opponent. Cirovski and his team have created a buzz on the campus, especially before big games, and Ludwig Field has become one of the best places to watch college soccer in the country.

The soccer team embodies what makes college athletics, and sports in general, so great.

They are an unselfish group of talented athletes. When senior defender Kenney Bertz suffered an eye injury prior the College Cup, his teammates stepped it up on defense. And after freshman A.J. Delagarza, who was filling in for Bertz, left the championship game with an ankle injury, senior transfer Marc Burch (normally a forward) switched to defense to protect the lead.

If anyone’s deserving of a national championship, it’s the men’s soccer team and their fans. Their relationship has become inseparable, much like Cirovski’s bond with the championship trophy when he arrived back in College Park.

Contact reporter Michael Gluskin at gluskindbk@gmail.com.