Pat Croce was always a fitness enthusiast, beginning in high school with his energetic involvement in gym class and participation in a variety of sports. He attended West Chester University (1972-1974) with a major in Health and Physical Education, and played defensive safety on the varsity football team. After two years, he transferred to the University of Pittsburgh to concurrently obtain a degree in Physical Therapy and certification in Athletic Training, making him one of the rare medical professionals with both degrees.
Upon graduation in 1977, Croce accepted the first physical therapy staff position he could find - at TriCounty Hospital in the suburbs of Philadelphia - but his heart was set on working for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles as the team’s physical therapist. Unfortunately his requests for employment - specifically, his offer to fill a position that did not exist - fell on deaf ears.
But the combination of Croce’s education with his martial arts prowess (a 4th degree black belt in karate and an international champion) - along with his drive, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit - soon captured the attention of the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team. He became the first physical conditioning coach in the NHL in 1980. Several years later, the Philadelphia 76ers called on Croce to bring his physical therapy and conditioning magic to their team as well. The notoriety of dealing with and healing famous professional athletes like Mike Schmidt, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, and Bobby Clarke, brought Croce’s name and techniques into the living rooms of thousands of individuals who wanted to be trained just like the pros. In many ways, Croce created the concept of personal training before there was a name for the genre.
With the help of a dedicated, professional, and fit staff, Croce built a physical therapy/fitness empire with his company Sports Physical Therapists - starting with one center in 1980 and expanding to 40 centers in 11 states in under ten years. His empire only expanded through his association with the 76ers and Flyers teams and his wildly popular fitness and nutrition segments on radio and television stations in Philadelphia through the 80s, 90s, and beyond.
To this day, Croce crosstrains using a variety of strength, stretching, and aerobic techniques, equipment, and systems. Whereas most people require a daily java fix in the morning to jumpstart their day, Croce prefers an early morning endorphin injection via a pulse-raising, mind-stimulating workout. |
