Freehold’s DeLucia competes for a spot on N.J. Gladiators
Mike DeLucia
By tim morris
Staff Writer
Mike DeLucia certainly practices what he preaches. The former Freehold Borough High School football star, who went on to enjoy a career at Rutgers University, is now an assistant coach at his alma mater.
Besides teaching the fundamentals and good techniques for blocking that he learned as a college player, DeLucia also makes a point to tell the Colonials that success also requires dedication and a strong work ethic.
"I tell the kids that with hard work things can happen for you," he pointed out. "You have to be dedicated."
DeLucia won’t have any problem selling his point now that he has demonstrated where hard work and dedication can take you.
On March 2, DeLucia went to the Open Tryout held by the New Jersey Gladiators, of the Arena Football League, at the Meadowlands. The Gladiators were offering one player the opportunity to sign with the indoor football league club and be invited to their camp later in the month where he will have the chance to compete for a position on the team.
"I still wanted to play football and coaching got the football bug going again," DeLucia explained. "When I heard about the open tryout, I decided to give it a try."
There were 150 players who attended the tryout, and it was DeLucia who was the one player selected by Gladiators to attend their camp on March 25.
"I was ecstatic when they chose me," he said. "I was in shock. This was something I really wanted. I was thrilled. To me, it’s getting a second chance. It’s another shot at my ultimate goal of playing in the NFL."
It was like Orlando Pace winning the Heisman Trophy. Out of a line-up that included quarterbacks and wide receivers, a lineman was chosen.
"I never thought it would be a lineman that they chose," he said.
Gladiator head coach Frank Haege said there were many factors that went into their decision to go with the former Colonial.
"Number one, Mike is a skilled football player; you could tell he came from a good program," Haege pointed out. "Number two, center is a very important position in Arena Football. You have to be athletic, mobile and smart. You can tell he has good character. He fit our need."
Even though he hasn’t played football since his senior year at Rutgers (fall of 2000), DeLucia has not stopped working out. He’s as dedicated as ever in the weight room and does his road work as well. His conditioning in no small way contributed to his success at the tryout.
"In the weight room, that’s the real me," noted DeLucia. "I just love to be there and push myself. I never got out of shape."
Last year, DeLucia went to National Football League combines and had an idea of what to expect at the March 2 tryout. The drills were similar, the 40-yard dash (his 4.6 captured everyone’s attention), broad jump, agility run (around cones) and the pro shuttle (lateral sprints). He knew from his weight training and running that he would get through the drills fine. His biggest concern was the one-on-one position drill. It had been a long time since he had to face someone head-to-head.
"I was happy with what I did," he said. "I was very surprised at how well I did in the one-on-one drills. My technique was the difference."
Coaching, it turns out, got DeLucia through the tryout.
"Coaching helped in the tryout because I was able to get a mental picture of where my hands and my feet should be from demonstrating it to the players all the time," he said.
In the end, it came down to a Gladiatorial finish with DeLucia pitted one-on-one against the other surviving lineman.
"That go my juices flowing. I said to myself, ‘No way this guy’s going to beat me," he recalled.
He didn’t, and DeLucia impressed the Gladiator staff enough to get the invitation.
"Centers in Arena Football have to pass-protect, snap, step and protect because running is a luxury," said Haege. "They have to play some defense and have the athleticism to play special teams. There is no guarantee that Mike will make the team, but he will have the chance."
Winning out over 150 players and earning the invite to the Gladiator camp reaffirmed DeLucia’s confidence in his abilities.
"I always felt I was a good enough athlete to play in a professional league," he said. "I’m pretty excited about it."