Matthew CavailerPat Croce, motivational speaker and former president of the Philadelphia 76ers, was on campus Tuesday, Feb. 11 to record public service announcements for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s “MS Challenge Walk.” The walk will take place Oct. 10-12.
Croce, his usual vibrant self, arrived at the Hamilton Family Foundation Wing of Founders Hall in a gray polo shirt, gray scarf and khaki pants. His first stop was the video station, where he recorded a 30-second PSA designed to air on local television. After several takes, the exuberant Croce turned on his noted enthusiasm, and declared, “That’s a wrap!”
From there, Croce headed over to the production studios at WYBF-FM where he recorded 10 PSAs to be played over the ten-week period leading up to the walk. The PSAs were tips for participants, from what shoes to wear, to how to get their family and friends involved. Some PSAs offered hope to finding a cure for MS, with Croce offering hope of MS meaning “Mystery Solved.”
Croce enacted some self-restraint during the takes, exclaiming, “Sugar!” quite often when he would make a mistake. Some takes ended in a string of shouts, “Sugar! Sugar! Sugar!” while others ended with a coy, Croce-esque smile.
After leaving the production studio, Croce stopped to answer some questions. Croce is excited about “Slam Ball,” an extreme basketball show that he is a part of. “Slam Ball” airs on the TNN Network, and was just renewed for another season. Croce said that the tryouts are going to take place all month for players, in places like Orlando and Philadelphia.
When asked for advice for young athletes, Croce said, “Preparation is the key to success.” Croce said to find a mentor who can help coach the athlete along. “Believe in your own abilities,” Croce said. With the will and the skills, Croce said success is inevitable.
In his role at FOX Philadelphia on “Good Day Philadelphia,” Croce said he had “fun,” but had some trouble getting used to the TelePrompTer and the transitions between serious and fun news. Croce said the station kept asking him to stay for more and more time, until he finally had to decline. He was anchoring for the month of December.
Croce, who shattered his leg in a motorcycle accident several years ago, said his leg is “great,” and he is “back to riding.” Croce was grateful for the questions about his leg, and seems to genuinely appreciate the support from the city.
Croce said he does not miss working with the Sixers, saying, “I enjoyed the fans, the players and the environment.” He also reminisced about his antics during the 2001 NBA Playoffs. What Sixers fans did not realize was that Croce had a few tricks up his sleeve to get the fans excited. Besides scaling the Walt Whitman Bridge with a Sixers banner, Croce planned on an elaborate Los Angeles prank.
If the Sixers had won Game 5, Croce planned on being lowered via helicopter to drop a “Sixers banner over the ‘H’ of the ‘Hollywood’ sign. It probably would’ve gotten me arrested,” Croce said, “But the fans would’ve loved it!”
As he spoke about his plan, Croce had a mischievous glimmer in his eyes that left no doubt to his claims. Croce said that the craziest thing he has done was to, “Ride a motorcycle through a mini-twister in the Badlands.” Croce went on to say that hail was hitting him in the face, but he had no way of getting out of the storm. Three people would die as a result of that storm.
“I only look back in the rearview mirror for glances,” Croce prophetically said. “I look forward to the future,” Croce said. He does not live in the past. His motto (besides his trademark, “I Feel Great!”) is “Carpe Diem,” or “Seize the day.”
Croce now makes part of his living being a motivational speaker. His newest book is coming out in the fall from Simon and Schuster, called, “Lead or Get Off the Pot!”
Croce seemed to be impressed with the facilities at Cabrini. He even took some time to talk to students around the area.
No Croce interview would be complete without just having to ask him how he feels. Of course, in true Croce fashion, he replied, “I feel great!”
