Michael DeLucia begins his third season on the Campbell coaching staff in 2017, working primarily with the CU catchers as the Camels' volunteer assistant.
In his first season back in Buies Creek after helping Miami to an appearance in the 2015 College World Series, three Camels earned All-Big South nods, including Matt Parrish, who finished second in the Big South in batting at .371 on the way to First Team All-Conference honors. Parrish also became the first Camel in any sport to be named CoSIDA Academic All-America three times, adding the Senior CLASS Award following the season.
Campbell finished just a game out of second place in the Big South regular season standings.
The 2013 Campbell graduate coached Miami’s catchers in 2015, also assisting with the offense. The top-rated Miami offense led the country with 8.16 runs per game, hitting .307 with a .417 on-base percentage.
With DeLucia’s help, the Hurricanes reached the 50 win-mark last season, ranking as high as No. 8 in the nation. Miami won the ACC Coastal Division Championship, as well as the Coral Gables NCAA Regional and Super Regional on the way to Omaha.
DeLucia coached All-America catcher Zack Collins, also named First Team All-ACC and ABCA All-Atlantic Region, ranking second in the ACC with 15 home runs. The Pembroke Pines, Fla. native also coached 14th Round 2015 MLB Draft selection (Los Angeles Dodgers) Garrett Kennedy, who was a Third Team All-ACC pick in 2015.
In his first season on the Campbell coaching staff in 2014, the Camels crossed the 40-win mark for the third-straight season on their way to the program's first NCAA appearance since 1990, claiming the Big South Tournament Championship.
Campbell again ranked in the nation's top-50 in wins (41, 35th), hit by pitch (122, 2nd), sacrifice bunts (66, 25th), shutouts (6, 40th) and stolen bases (80, 41st). Individually, Steven Leonard, drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 2015 MLB Draft, started 54 games behind the plate for the Camels, earning Big South All-Tournament team accolades.
DeLucia enjoyed a successful two year career behind the plate for the Camels from 2012-13, owning a career .300 average in 90 games after transferring from Brevard Community College. As a senior, the catcher hit .316 with 30 RBI, 21 runs scored, five doubles, four triples and two home runs, earning NCCSIA First Team All-State accolades and a spot on the Johnny Bench Award Watch List.
During his senior season with the Camels, CU finished 49-10, winning the Big South's North Division Championship and runner-up in the league's championship game, setting a school record for wins.
The 2013 Camels finished among the nation's leading teams statistically, ranking eighth in batting (.314), 15th in scoring (7.1 runs per game), sixth in stolen bases (130), third in times hit by pitch (124), 11th in on-base percentage (.404), seventh in ERA (2.63), 22nd in hits allowed per nine (7.95) and an outstanding fourth in win-loss percentage (.831).
The Camels ranked as high as No. 23 (NCBWA, May 28) in the national polls, finishing the season at No. 28 (NCBWA).
DeLucia graduated from Campbell in 2013 with a degree in criminal justice.
