Co-Directors for “EZ Tennis & Lifetime Fitness”…
Erick McCarthy, PhD
Erick is originally from the state of Connecticut. He graduated from UConn with a BS degree in Nutrition, then he went to San Diego, CA (San Diego State University) for a MS in Exercise Physiology and ended up at the University of Georgia for a PhD in Physical Education (Adapted Physical Education and Gerontology emphasis). Erick is a hard-core “Living La Vida Healthy” type of guy who has taught individuals with special health conditions how to stay active through participation in adapted physical activities and sports and has been involved with Special Olympics volunteering. He has coordinated exercise programs for senior adults and conducted research on “the oldest-old” (part of a national research project sponsored by the National Institute on Aging called “The Georgia Centenarian Study”). Erick was formerly the director of the Exercise Science Department at the University of Central Arkansas, and has been an Exercise Science Instructor in the Kinesiology Department at Hendrix College. He is currently a Physical Education Instructor at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton where he teaches Personal Health, Principles of Lifetime Fitness, and Recreational Activities. Erick is also an ACSM-certified Health/Fitness Instructor, ACE-certified Personal Trainer, and a USTA / PTR Recreational/Developmental TennisCoach..
Zarina Galván McCarthy, MEd
Zarina is a certified tennis teaching professional through the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA). Zarina grew up playing competitive tennis in Mexico and in the Southern California area (hometown Tijuana), and was the top junior player in Mexico for five years (1982-1986) in her age divisions before “moving” to San Diego, CA to attend high school and brush up on her English. Zarina earned USTA junior rankings as high as #2 in the San Diego County and #9 in the Southern California Section. She played college tennis (California Community College State Champion 1991, playing for Grossmont College, then transferred with a full scholarship to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she played #1 singles and #2 doubles). Zarina has taught tennis at the “grassroots” level and the private club level. She has a MEd (Physical Education/ Teaching and Coaching Pedagogy) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was assistant coach for the UNL women’s team for three years, and was a Physical Education teacher and head women’s head tennis coach at Grossmont College in San Diego, CA for two years. Among the most special awards Zarina has recived are: 1991 Arthur Ashe ITA/ California Community College Sportsmanship Award while playing for Grossmont College, 1997 Pacific Coast Conference Coach of the Year while coaching for her alma mater, Grossmont college, as well as 1997 Female Pro/ Coach of the Year (San Diego District Tennis Association).
Personal:
Erick and Zarina (aka “E&Z”) met in the Spring of 1997 at Grossmont College (he was the school’s Adapted Physical Education teacher) and were married in the Summer of 1998 in San Diego, CA. Erick and Zarina immediately moved to Athens, GA as Erick completed his PhD and worked for UGA and Zarina worked on her teacher certification in Spanish and “ESL” (English as a Second Language). They lived in Athens, GA for seven years before moving to Conway. Together they are the proud parents of three children and the owners of 2 dogs (and a goldfish!). This year (2010) marks the 2nd year for Erick and Zarina working together and officailly forming a partnership where both of their educational backgrounds and experiences are intertwined to offer a product to children and parents where physical activity, recreational competition and fun are the goals through the medium of tennis. They are trained to conduct CardioTennis for all ages and abilities, as well as Little Tennis/ QuickStart Tennis for the 10-and-under population.