Meet Our Instructors
Master Derek Croley
Derek Croley began his study of the Martial Arts at the age of 8 and began teaching at the age of 13 as an assistant instructor. At the age of 15 he received his first Black Belt under Shihan Dave Kovar in Sacramento, California. who now operates the largest and most successful schools in the country and is internationally known for his teaching methods.
While still 15, he moved to Aiken, South Carolina where he became an Instructor under Grand Master Andy Watford. Grand Master Watford is the President of the US TAI Martial Arts Association as begun by Grand Master David German and Grand Master Virgil Kimmey.
With a degree from Clemson University in Business Management, Master Croley and his wife Brook moved to Jilin City, in the Jilin Provence of Manchurian China where he further perfected his skills under Master Shifu Lui Chan Shan. Under Master Lui, he was the first Westerner ever to learn the art of Taiji Yuan Gong Chan Chuan, and is one of a few people in the world who knows this secret art. With the blessing of the Beishan Temple he is allowed to teach this art openly in America. While in Northeastern China he also earned the title of Shifu (teacher) in the art of Tai Chi Chuan. He still visits from time to time.
In 2005 he was awarded the title of Master Instructor in the US TAI Martial Arts Association.
He has also written four books on the Martial Arts, has been published with several articles, and has also made several educational videos on a wide variety of topics.
Master Croley now resides in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and children. He has numerous Black Belts and Instructor Certifications, he is the Founder and President of Croley's Martial Arts Center, a founder of the White Oak Leadership Institute, a founding co-chairman of the ASTM Martial Arts Safety Standards Committee, the President-Elect of the local Rotary Club, and he is a member of the 2004 US Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Lineages of Master Derek Croley
Shifu George Petrush
Growing up, Shifu Petrush had some varied Martial Arts experience, including Tai Chi Chuan, introductions and private study of Kenpo, Jujitsu, and anything else he could get exposed to. However the foundation of his training in this period involved a great deal of education in the Internal and Healing Arts. Shifu George Petrush began his formal Martial Arts Training in 2000 as one of the first adult students at Croley's Martial Arts Center. Learning and growing with incredible speed and passion, he soon worked his way into a teaching role as he completed his Leadership and CIT (Certified Instructor Training) in record time for the entire US TAI Association.
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA Shifu Petrush graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Anthropology and a Minor in Religious Studies making the Dean's List as well as the Anthropology Honor Society.
After graduating he went on to conduct field research on Navajo traditional botanical medicine, diet and culture, including qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis for Northwestern University's Ethnographic Field School in the Navajo Nation, and volunteering with the Nations In Home Services Division providing aid to Elder Navajo.
At that point in time Shifu Petrush moved to Asheville, NC while working for Americorp helping at risk youth through tutoring, mentoring, conflict resolution, team building and service learning. It was at this time that he began his education at Croley's Martial Arts Center.
After completing his service with Americorps, and upon completing his CIT Training, Shifu Petrush began working as a Full Instructor for Croley's while working during the day for the Asheville Mentor Network, again helping at risk youth. He is now the Head Instructor at Croley's Martial Arts Center.
In 2004 Master Croley was proud to present him with the title of Shifu- meaning teacher.
Currently, Shifu Petrush resides in Asheville, NC with his wife and child. He has several Black Belts and Instructor Certifications, he is a founder of the White Oak Leadership Institute, and a founding co-chairman of the ASTM Martial Arts Safety Standards Committee.
Shifu Willie Smith
Willie Smith is a life long resident of Asheville, Willie Smith is a 3rd degree Black Belt who was forced to stop the more arduous forms of Martial Arts when he developed Cancer and his body just couldn't do what it once did.
He began training in the internal Martial Arts with Master Croley in 2001, and quickly received his Black Belt level ranking in these arts. When he first entered into training with us he had a brace or a bandage on every joint in his body and walked with a cane. Now, after several years of training with our internal Martial Arts Program, he no longer has need of any of these things.
Willie has since earned the title of Shifu in the US TAI Martial Arts Association as well as the White Oak Institute, is a member of the Hillside Baptist Church Board of Ushers, and is a ChiWalking Mentor with professional running coach Danny Dryer of ChiRunning.
A true inspiration and an absolutely amazing instructor, Shifu Smith has an incredible ability to put the concepts of the internal martial arts into terms that are easily understandable for any level of practitioner.