By Sports Information Summer Student Intern Jeff Hoedt
Attending Baldwin Wallace College has become a traditon for the DeLuca family of Norwalk and Bellevue. Three members of the family have attended or are currently attending B-W and each one has made an impact in B-W athletics. Tom, the youngest of the three DeLucas to attend B-W, transfered from Division I school Bowling Green State University in 2000 and will play his third year of Yellow Jacket football in 2002. He returns as one of the top defensive backs in the Ohio Athletic Conference and as one of the best kickoff return specialists in NCAA Divison III. As evidence, DeLuca was named last week to the Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette Preseason All-America team. DeLuca was a second-team selection.
A year ago, DeLuca averaged 29.6 yards per kickoff return to both lead the OAC and rank third nationally in Division III. Every time he touches the ball, whether it is via a pass interception from his defensive safety position or on either a punt of kickoff return, DeLuca has the ability to take it the distance for a touchdown.
"Tom's athletic ability has helped him become one of the best retruners in our program, in the OAC and in Division III," said first year head coach John Snell. "His skills as a return specialist had earned him second-team Division III All-North Region honors in 2001. He was alsoone of our top defensive backs. This year, we are again looking for Tom to be a key factor in both our secondary and as a return specialist."
On defense, DeLuca finished the 2001 season ranked third on the Yellow Jacket defense with 51 total tackles, including 44 solo stops. He also intercepted a pair of passes and returned one punt.
"Tom is a very athletic, intense, physical player and plays the game with passion." said Snell. "Two years ago, we could see the ability that Tom has to contribute, but an injury cut short his season. He was also an outstanding wrestler in high school, so both the quickness and aggressiveness that a wrestler displays is evident in his play on defense."
DeLuca's two best games of the 2001 season came in a 38-35 overtime victory over OAC rival Wilmington College at The George Finnie Stadium in Berea in mid September and in a 43-28 win versus Otterbein College in Westerville in mid October.
Against Wilmington, DeLuca returned four kickoffs for 107 yards (26.8-yard average), made 13 total tackles, including two for lost yardage and recovered a fumble that led to a touchdown. In the Otterbein game, DeLuca made 11 total tackles, including two more
for losses, intercepted a pass that led to a touchdown and ran back the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
"Tom DeLuca is one of those rare players that has the ability to directly affect the outcome of a game," said Snell. "He has all of the tools to be a great one. We are fortunate to both have Tom at B-W and a connection to the DeLuca Family."
Many Norwalk residents and Yellow Jacket fans also remember Tom's brother, Max, who was an All-American punter for the Jackets from 1996-99 and an All-OAC wrestler at 185 pounds. Max also saw limited action as a runningback. Max finished his career with a 37.6 yard average per punt and was well-known for pinning the opponent inside the 10 and 20-yard lines. His career long punt of 59 yards was set when he was a sophomore.
His best season was in 1999 when he finished with a 40.0-yard average and earned second-team All-OAC, third-team Football Gazette All-North Region and honorable mention USAIII Divison III Special Mention All-America accolades.
Max not only saw success on the football field, but also on the wrestling mat as well. He began wrestling for B-W in his junior year and finished his career with a 49-26 overall record and was All-OAC. In his final year as a wrestler, Max won the 184-pound title at the 15th Annual B-W John Summa Invitational Tournament. Max spent last season as an
assistant coach for both the Yellow Jacket football and wrestling teams.
Snell sees many simularities in Tom that he saw when he coached Max. Snell served as the offensive backfield, offensive coordinator and specialists coach prior to being named head coach this past spring.
"Both Tom and Max are very dedicated young men in both the classroom and on the football field," said Snell. "Both have outstanding athletic ability and the ability to participate and contribute in multiple sports. They put everything they have into the game and practice. They both have a great desire to excel."
Having two players who are brothers who have both played the same sport often creates competition. However, Tom DeLuca says that this is not a problem.
"Max and I don't like to compare ourselves," said Tom, who missed six games as a freshman with a severe shoulder separation. "There is no pressure to be better than my brother. I just try to do my best, and I know Max worked hard and did his best. We have a great relationship as brothers. And that means alot to me."
In addition to both Tom and Max, their cousin, Courtney, wrestled and played football for three years at B-W before graduating last spring.
Although Courtney had an injury-plagued career as a and offensive tackle in football and as a heavyweight in wrestling, he also made a vital contribution to both programs. He finished his wrestling career with a 14-15 overall record.
"It was a shame that Courtney never really got the opportunity to be a starter and major contributor in football," said Snell. "He certainly had the size and ability, but injuries played a large part in his ability to play in college. As a wrestler, Courtney was a solid heavyweight, but the injuries cost him a chanbce at being even better. He persevered, got
his degree and now can be a solid member of society."
And what does Tom expect to happen during the 2002 football season?
" I really think that we have a great chance to surprise alot of teams this year," said DeLuca, an education major who wants to teach and coach following graduation. "Our goals are always to win the prestigious OAC title and make the Division III Playoffs. Our goal is to win a national title.
"Individually, I want to be the best that I can be," said DeLuca. " I will do whatever I need to do to reach that goal. We have a new coach, a new attitude and a new enthusiasm. Coach Snell is a real enthusiastic person and he brings a lot of excitement to the game. We are looking forward to the 2002 season."
Due to his injured shoulder as a freshman, Tom did not wrestle during his first two years at B-W. What will he do in 2002?
"I haven't really made up my mind yet," said Tom. "I want to wait to see how football season goes and hopefully it will go well and I will not hurt the shoulder again. Then I will have to make a decision."
The DeLuca family name has become well-known when it comes to Baldwin-Wallace athletics. Each one of the DeLuca clan has made his mark. Now Tom DeLuca is hoping to reach new heights and hopes to help B-W win an OAC title and reach the NCAA Playoffs in 2002.
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