Coolest Jobs In Philly Sports

He practically sits on the 76ers bench at the Wachovia Center. He's the handsome, black-haired, 70-year-old in the Comcast-Spectacor uniform who gets to stand on the court during every NBA timeout.

He's one of Larry Brown's favorite people and on a first-name basis with members of the 76ers and Flyers. He has had the best seat in the house for NBA Finals, the NBA All-Star Game, the NCAA Final Four and NCAA regionals. Our man also shows the most famous celebrities to their Wachovia Center seats. That's how he became friends with Frank Sinatra, as his backstage security escort while playing the Spectrum.

It is our kind of job - if you really want to label it work - and that's why Romeo Ceparullo has been chosen as having the "Coolest Job in Philly Sports," following a reader survey in the Daily News' weekly Game Faces column.

The ground rules were simple: The job must be fun, very little "real work" and be something everyone would pay to do for a day. Even the Phillies batboys, the Phanatic and the Sixers' Hip Hop work too hard to make our final Top 10.

Also among the long list of those who work too hard to make the cut were Philly's outstanding PA announcers Dan Baker (Veterans Stadium), Lou Nolan (Flyers) and John McAdams (Palestra, Wilmington Blue Rocks). This was not a popularity contest. Nominations were received by job title only since, in most cases, our Top 10 have been largely anonymous owners of "cool jobs." After rating the "cool" criteria and factoring in personal preference, we made our picks.

Unfortunately, all we have is a special T-shirt and Daily News prize pack for Ceparullo. The vacation for two to the Grand Caymans just wasn't in the budget. Sorry, Romeo. How about 76ers tickets? Oops, sorry. "I've really been lucky," he says. "I work for great people, like Mr. Snider, and the people I work with are the best. I've always thought I had the best job in the world. I'm glad you think so, too. I guess it's not a secret anymore."

And now . . . introducing the folks with the Coolest Jobs in Philly Sports. 1. ROMEO CEPARULLO, Wachovia Center security guard/usher Cool factor: He's the man with the best seat in the house, at the end of the 76ers bench or practically in the 76ers' huddles. A fan favorite. He also works backstage at most concerts . . . Worked at Veterans Stadium from 1971 to '83; now works exclusively in the Wachovia Center, including the executive-level Flyers lounge.

Years on the job: 35

About the job: "Everybody always tells me they want my seat, and my job. I'm a lucky guy. I kid around that I almost feel guilty, taking a paycheck. Sometimes."

In real life: Retired, age 70 . . . Wife Mary, two daughters; transplanted South Philly native, resides in Willingboro, N.J. . . . Former Whitman's Chocolates maintenance mechanic for 41 years . . . Enjoys day trips to Atlantic City casinos.

Job highlight: Escorting Frank Sinatra on stage a total of eight times. "It was a thrill of a lifetime."

Other favorite events: 76ers' 1983 NBA championship run and Duke-Kentucky NCAA East Regional final.

Job downside: "The concerts can be work sometimes, depending who's playing. But most of the kids are good."