Northern Illinois University Athletics

At Duke: Grad transfer was a two-sport athlete at Duke University, playing football for two years (2010-11) and lacrosse for four seasons (2010-13). As a walk-on football player, saw action in six games in 2010 on special teams. Played in the Maryland, Miami, Virginia Tech, Navy, Virginia and Georgia Tech games. On the field for 66 total snaps. In 2011, played in two games and carried the ball for one yard against Tulane. Played four seasons and was a three-year starter at defensive midfield for the Duke lacrosse team. During his time there, Duke lacrosse went to four final fours and won two national championships. Played in 68 total games. In 2010, played in nine games as the Blue Devils went 16-4 and captured the NCAA championship. In 2011, helped the Blue Devils to a 14-6 record, the ACC regular season title and the program’s fifth straight appearance in the national semifinals. As a junior in 2012, Duke repeated as ACC Champions, and lost in the national semifinals.  The Blue Devils won the NCAA title in his senior season with a win over Syracuse.  
 
High School: Three-year letterwinner at Mountain Lakes High School. As a senior, rushed for 1,274 yards and 24 TDs on 105 carries while recording 34 tackles and 10 sacks on defense. Set the school rushing record with an average of 12.1 yards per carry. Served as team captain. Collected first team All-State and first team All-County honors and was named Morris County Offensive Player of the Year. Helped team win New Jersey Group I state championship with a 12-0 record as a senior in 2008. Earned Morris County Offensive Player of the Year honors. Named to the New Jersey Super 100 team. Overall, Mountain Lakes was 31-3 during his three seasons on varsity including a 10-2 record his sophomore year when the team advanced to the state championship game.  Selected as running back for the Morris County All-Decade team (2000-09).  As a high school lacrosse player, served as team captain and was named second team All-State while helping lead his team to two state titles.
 
Personal: Son of Paul and Susan DeLuca. Married to Baily, a former track and field athlete at Duke, with one son, infant James Patrick. Father was captain of the football team at Rowan and his mother played tennis at Delaware. Birthday is February 10. Earned his bachelor’s degree in international relations from Duke in 2013. Pursuing a master’s degree in sports psychology at NIU. Following graduation from Duke, enlisted in the Navy.