Srećko Mavrek was born in Varaždin in 1969, and works as a swimming and physical education teacher for the New York City Department of Education and as an external lecturer for Hostos Community College, City University of New York. He is also working on developing an advanced application for monitoring fitness and physical activities and sports, which he created himself and called mavball. He is an internationally recognized expert in education and was the official representative of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education at the United Nations Department for Global Communications. He received a number of significant professional awards and recognitions, including the 2016 President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition Community Leadership Award, the 2015 SHAPE America Eastern District High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award, the 2012 National Service Award, (Council for Aquatic Professionals, AAPAR/American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) and 2001. Young Investigator’s Award (the 7th IASK International Scientific Conference, University of Tartu, Estonia).
Before coming to the United States, he worked as a researcher and lecturer at the University of Udine in Italy, Karl-Franz-University Graz in Austria, the University of Augsburg in Germany and the University of Pecs in Hungary.
Srećko sings tenor in the choir Astoria, which became famous by performing the American national anthem at the Croatian Heritage Night in Madison Square Garden on January 11, 2019. He composes choir and world music and plays various instruments in Science of Music. He is also a correspondent for the Croatian Information Agency and the Total Croatia News portal. Srećko is a very active and passionate Croatian lobbyist and promoter of Croatian national heritage and cultural values in America and around the world. He is the recipient of the special award “Večernjak’s Hometown” and the award of the American-Croatian Congress in 2023.
He would say to the next generations: Wherever you were born, cherish your family origins and always know that a large part of you belongs to the Homeland of your ancestors. Study, rest and have fun, but always work hard regardless of ups and downs, obstacles and challenges. Develop your logic, common sense and sense of humor and never neglect self-education, and complete your wholeness by developing moral integrity and patriotism. Love is a prerequisite for a harmonious family, creative work and real happiness. In the age of great technological achievements, a lot of knowledge is available to you, but be sure to do your best to use the acquired knowledge not only for your own benefit, but also for the benefit of your Motherland and humanity.
