Phys Ed teacher Eric McElroy and varsity boys basketball coach, known as “Mac” to his students, has always been a favorite among the students at VHS.  Known for his quiet and funny personality and his infamous catchphrases, such as “Check the Genesis, guy,” Mac’s love for kids and sports inspired him to choose a career as a physical education teacher and high school basketball and golf coach.

Mac is a native to Essex County, growing up in Verona’s neighbor and rival, Cedar Grove. He attended East Stroudsburg University to continue his academic and athletic career in baseball. After college, Mac returned back home to start his career and eventually start a family of his own. Mac now has two kids that are growing up in Verona, so some VHS students know him as a neighbor as well as a teacher

Mac loves to stay active by golfing in his spare time. However, Mac’s favorite thing to do when he is not coaching or teaching is spending time with his family, especially on vacations at the family’s favorite vacationing spot, Martha’s Vineyard. He said, “The Vineyard is beautiful and being there with family makes it even better.”

A fun fact that many of his students would not know about Mac is his favorite food is Spaghettios. He got hooked on them because his kids loved them and they are quick and easy to make. He said that it is a good snack or meal to make on the go.

Mac looks forward to continuing to help grow VHS sports programs and to lead his basketball team, which has had an immense amount of recent success, including earning a trip to the state’s elite Tournament of Champions in 2017.  More important, the looks forward to watching his own boys grow up and come through the high school.