Sifu McElroy began his martial arts in Judo at age 12. This sparked his life-long pursuit of the arts that led him to the dojos of some of the world’s leading martial artists. He has trained under:
- Chuck Norris – Tang-So-Do
- Bob Walsh - Chi-do-kwon
- Albert Church - Japanese Arts of Kamshin-Ryu
- Soke Shogo Kuniba - Kuniba-ha shito-ryu, goshin-do, kubudo
- Sifu Dan lnosanto – Silat, Kali, JKD, Jun Fan, Gung Fu
- Sifu Francis Fong - Wing Chun
- Master Chai - Muay Thai
Sifu McElroy is one of the most experienced martial artists in the area and currently holds seven instructor titles. He won Gold (1st) and Silver (2nd) medals in Kata and Weapons respectively at the First World Martial Arts Competition 2001. He is one of his instructors’ top students and was chosen to compete on Team America at the "World Cup". Winners qualified to go to Athens, Greece in 2004 as Olympic demonstrator competitors.
In 2017, Sifu McElroy was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He is listed in Who's Who in Karate, Who's Who in Martial Arts Black Belts Elite USA, lnosanto's International Martial/Arts Association, U.S. Wing Chun Association. He is also President of the South Carolina Kali Association.
In the spirit of giving back, Rick McElroy founded McElroy Martial Arts Academy in 1979. It was the first martial arts school on Hilton Head Island and continues to be a leading source of highly trained competitors. McElroy is actively involved in the national martial arts community and is a highly sought instructor for children's groups, schools, law enforcement, as well as for other accomplished martial artists.