When the Philadelphia 76ers began training camp at The Bryce Jordan Center Oct. 3, it marked the beginning of the fourth season of team president Pat Croce's tenure.

It also marked another event in Croce's already eventful daily life.

Along with balancing speaking engagements, launching his own Web site (www.patcroce.com), Sixers' marketing and being both a devoted husband to Diane and full-time father to Kelly and Michael, both of whom attend Penn State, Pat is currently busy promoting his new book, "I Feel Great and you will too!," a memoir documenting his climb from ankle-taper for the athletes, to signing their paychecks as part-owner.

But don't feel sorry for this one-time owner of the Sports Physical Therapists, Inc., because he wouldn't have his hectic life any other way. After selling that business in 1993, and fulfilling a two-year employment contract, Croce sought a new adventure.

He needed a new challenge, but didn't know where to find it.

"I didn't know what I wanted to do when I grew up," Croce says. It was then over a simple lunch with then-Sixers owner Harold Katz that Croce found his new calling. He recalls how Katz' dissatisfaction with the Philadelphia sports media led Katz to want to get out of the business.

Croce's motto of "If you can do it, I can do it" then led him to, with the help of Philadelphia Flyers chairmen Ed Snider, purchase the team, and change the course of Philadelphia sports indefinitely.

The 1977 Pittsburgh grad hasn't looked back since that fateful March day when he took over as President. Since then the Sixers have been transformed from a league laughing stock, at times even referred to as the "L.A. Clippers East," to a legitimate Eastern Conference Championship contender.

The Sixers have increased attendance by 49 percent since Croce's arrival, the fans have become invariably louder and more passionate (if humanly possible) with each of its owner's antics, such as head-shaving and Sixers' tattoo campaigns in the 1999 and 2000 playoff runs. In a city known for its passionate sports fans, Croce fits in nicely.

Making sure not to lose touch with his roots, Pat employs his brother, John Croce, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), as physical conditioning coach for the team. And despite all of his accomplishments, Croce still cites the births of his children as the greatest moments of his life.

Pat believes that "players play well if they know (the owner) cares," which may be part of the reason that while he was recuperating from a 1999 motorcycle accident that shattered his leg, he did part of his rehabilitation alongside injured Sixers, such as center Matt Geiger, who was also recovering from surgery at the time.

Croce finds the Sixers' turning point in the hiring of head coach Larry Brown.

"You need winning experience in the NBA," he said.

And he thinks that the Sixers have that in Brown as well as general manager Billy King. These are the men that Croce attributes the on-the-court success.

"I believe that hiring the right people and delegating to those with experience is the key," Croce said. "I don't want to appear arrogant about our success. Our secret weapon is Larry Brown. When you play Larry Brown defense, you're always in the game."

Now, in the fourth year of the Croce regime, the Sixers are positioned to make a run at the Eastern Conference crown, with traditional Eastern rivals such as the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat all suffering from either injuries, questionable front office moves, or retirements.

Croce and the Sixers' faithful hope star guard Allen Iverson can avoid off-the-court troubles, concerning both his upcoming and controversial rap CD, and well-publicized feud with Brown.

They believe that if their volatile shooting guard can avoid these pitfalls and play up to his All-Star potential, and if the players King and Brown have assembled, such as Toni Kukoc and Theo Ratliff, can contribute, then the team could be looking at its first trip to the NBA Finals since 1983.

"I've learned from my mistakes. I'm giving everything I can," Croce says. He now hopes that he has given enough to lead the City of Brotherly Love back to the glory days.

And rest soundly, Sixers fans, Croce is intent on returning to Penn State for training camp next fall, perhaps even hosting a preseason game at The Bryce Jordan Center, an event that was originally in the works this fall.