2021 National Scouting Combine Featured Athlete Joe Delucia, Track & Field Athlete from Sacred Heart University

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Joe Delucia | Sacred Heart University | WR/Pole Vaulter 

Twitter: C__2x

Q: Tell us about your college (or pro) career and what the recruiting/scouting process was like. Why did you choose (Sacred Heart University)?

A: I went to Sacred Heart University on an athletic scholarship to Pole Vault on their Track and Field team. It was the only Division I athletic scholarship I was offered (was recruited Division II to play football at Southern Connecticut State University) and when the University wanted me to be a part of their program in addition to their academic excellence I felt confident I wanted to spend my college career there. I have the school record (15’1”) in the Pole Vault at Sacred Heart in addition to earning All-Conference and All New England honors. In the North East Conference Championships, I placed 3rd three times, 2nd one time and 1st one time. I was the captain of the Track and Field team in my senior season. I earned a double major degree in both Sport Management and Finance and was a Dean’s list student-athlete.

 

Q: What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in your sports career so far?

A: My biggest accomplishment in my sports career was winning the North East Conference Championship in my senior season at Sacred Heart University in the Pole Vault. As an athlete you always work to perform at your highest level in any Championship your team is in. The most exciting time to compete is in these environments and I was proud to show up on a big stage.

Q: What do you consider to be one of the more important things you learned from the coaching staff while playing at (Sacred Heart University)?

A: One of the most important things I learned from my coach Tim Beach was practicing as if you are competing every day. Having an intense focus at practice and committing to a process will always put you in a great position to be the best athlete when it comes time to showcase your skills. The most important element to my success was committing to getting better every day.

 

 

Q: How was your career impacted due to the 2020 pandemic and what have you learned from the adversity?

A: The 2020 pandemic opened my eyes that life is whatever I want to make it and it helped me make the decision to fulfill a life-long dream to play Football in the NFL. I currently work in Sales and I have been able to train at a very high level all while maintaining a job that requires an intense competitive drive. I feel 2020 opened my eyes on how I spend my time and the great things I can accomplish if I committed to where my passion is, and that is playing Football.

 

Q: What was your major and what are your plans if football doesn’t work out?

A: I double majored in both Sport Management and Finance. I currently work at Cintas as a Sales Representative and I can see myself in a Sales leadership position if Football does not work out. I enjoy the competiveness that Sales brings out of me and translates well to the competiveness sports has always brought out of me.

Q: What would your current/past teammates say about you and your qualities?

A: My teammates will say I am someone who leads by example, always lifts others around me up and gives an extraordinary effort to achieve all the goals I set out for myself. I have always worked to push others to see what they are capable of achieving through dedication and hard work. I bring the energy and am constantly working to improve on my skillset which in turn has made others want to work harder too.

 

Q: What has been one of the most memorable plays of your career at any level?

A: The most memorable play of my Football career was in my State Championship game in High School when I scored a 76-yard touchdown on the third play of the game against the #2 team in Connecticut my senior season. 

 

Q: What has been your biggest challenge and how do you manage it?

A: My biggest challenge has been taking the risk to do what it is I truly want to do. I have a great job and it is a risk for me to leave in order to fulfill my dream to play Football in the NFL. However, I am confident that if I set my mind to this I will accomplish it. I manage this by committing myself to the journey to get there. This means consistent work each day to put myself in the best position to compete on the biggest stage. I stay level headed and do not get overwhelmed by the long journey ahead. Instead, I stay disciplined each day and will set myself up with the right opportunities to take advantage of.

 

Q: If you could compare yourself to a pro athlete, who would that be and why?

A: I would compare myself to Michael Jordan. His work ethic, competitiveness, leadership abilities and grit are all qualities I can relate well with. The reason we play any game is to win, and that takes a certain level of commitment and dedication. We don’t know how to give anything else other than our best effort and we want to the ball in our hands at the end of the game.

 

Q: What is your biggest strength that you bring to a professional team and why should pro scouts consider you?

A: My biggest strength I bring to a team is my work ethic and attitude. I will be a player that will make others around me better and I will commit to being the best teammate and player I can be. I am not afraid of the big moments and look to be trusted in big time situations to make big plays.

 

Q: Are you involved in mentoring, a charity or do you “give back” or ”pay it forward” in your community?

A: Yes, I am the Humanitarian Champion on my Sales team and work closely with the American Cancer Society in the state of Connecticut in their Relay for Life events. I coordinated a mentor program prior to COVID with Momauguin Elementary School in East Haven, CT. We donated school supplies on top of purchasing Christmas gifts for our mentees. Recently, I coordinated a donation to Connecticut Children’s Hospital to fund in patient activities this past Christmas.

 

Q: How are you preparing for the 2021 National Scouting Combine and what are your goals?

A: I am on a program through Resilient Training Lab out of North Haven, CT. My Physical Therapist, Eric Lagoy who works through Resilient and is a part of Gaylord Physical Therapy in Connecticut, has written my program that I follow 6 days a week. On top of this program, I work with Break Out Athlete in North Branford, CT on combine specific drills (40, 3 cone, pro-shuttle, vertical and broad jump). I have access to an indoor facility (Connecticut Sportsplex) where I am able to work on route running and catching with college QB’s. My goals are to run a sub 4.5 in the 40, sub 4 pro shuttle, sub 7 three cone, 17 reps on the bench, 35 inches in the vertical, 10’6” in the broad and not drop any passes in any of the receiving drills. I want to be the best overall athlete at this combine.

 

Q: What would be your ultimate achievement?

A: My ultimate achievement would be to contribute to a Super Bowl win in the NFL

 

 

Q: What do you enjoy doing when not playing football?

A: When not playing football, I enjoy time with my family, girlfriend and friends, traveling, giving back to my community, participating in other sports (baseball, basketball, golf) and coaching.

 

 

Q: If you could make a positive impact on all of society what would it be and why?

A: My positive impact would be empowering others to go after their dreams and achieve their wildest goals. Life to me is about pushing yourself to be the best person you can and accomplishing everything you want to. Helping others accomplish their goals and encouraging them to see what they are capable of is something I am working to do every day. Having an impact that goes farther than my own success is important to me.

 

 

Q: Who is or has been the most influential person in your life?

A: My parents have been the most influential people in my life. They both came from very little and worked extremely hard to put our family in the best position to have the best life we can. I wish to give back to them as much as I can. I always want to make them proud of me.

 

Q: What is something unique about you that people would find interesting?

A: Something unique about me that people would find interesting is that I am a perfectionist. Whatever I take part in I invest the time to be the best I can at it. I do not settle for anything less than my best.

 

 

Q: What is your dream job?

A: Play Football in the NFL.

 

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