Rick DeLuca considers himself one of the lucky ones.

And who could argue?

During a career in Ohio Valley sports journalism that’s stretched more than 50 years, DeLuca has seen — and covered — basically everything there is to cover.

“It’s been a great time,” DeLuca said. “It’s been wonderful. I honestly would have wanted to change anything.”

Actually, there is one thing that DeLuca, 70, would probably change if he could.

“If I could go another 50 years, I would,” DeLuca said.

Unfortunately, DeLuca has come to grips with the fact that he won’t be able to do another 50 years in the Ohio Valley media. Actually, DeLuca has decided that it’s time to call it a career, citing the desire to spend more time in Northeast Ohio watching his grandsons playing sports as well as some health issues that will be addressed in the coming months.

“I remember when I first started I was thinking, ‘I’ll get to 20 years and I’ll quit.’ The years kept adding up because I was enjoying it so much,” DeLuca said. “I am just getting to the point where I am getting a little tired and I am going to have some health procedures done this fall. It’s just time.”

Though DeLuca was fortunate enough to cover plenty of professional and major college sporting events, his heart was always centered in the Ohio Valley and the prep sports scene. Clearly, the Ohio Valley sports scene is the fortunate one in that regard.

“Covering high school sports was the most fun because of how much the Ohio Valley enjoyed them,” DeLuca said. “The affection for high school sports is genuine and the coverage was truly appreciated.”

DeLuca believes he’s covered one event or another at what seems like every school in the Ohio Valley, but he’s most associated with Buckeye Local and the schools that preceded the consolidation in the early 90s.

“I know I covered all seven of the original schools that make up Buckeye Local now,” DeLuca said.

DeLuca actually began his writing career for a monthly paper based in Pittsburgh in 1967, but once it realized DeLuca was just 16 years old, his tenure with the organization came to an end.

He wasn’t out of the media long. He was hired in August of 1969 at The Times Leader and covered his first football game that season between his high school — Warren Consolidated — playing at Dillonvale.

“I remember I got back to the office from the game that night and Fred Connors opened the door for me and I had to wait on Cal Pokas and other writers to get back,” DeLuca said. “Cal sent me to a desk in the back corner of the newsroom and it took me two hours to handwrite my story.”

As it turned out, DeLuca’s night of work was just beginning.

“I handed my story to Cal and he said, ‘go type it,'” DeLuca recalled. “I didn’t know how to type and I told him that to which he told me, ‘if you’re going to be in this business, you better learn.’ So, it took me another two hours.”

DeLuca credits so much of his career to Pokas. Not only did he take a chance on a 17-year-old kid to cover games, he showed him the ropes on journalism and simply how to write.

“He taught me so many things that I use even today if I am sending an email,” DeLuca said.

Along with Pokas’ impact, DeLuca also mentioned relationships with Bill VanHorne, Jimmy Mountain and Bill Davies that helped shape him as a writer.

“When I started as a young kid, those people seemed so old to me,” DeLuca said. “But, I simply learned so much from them. I’ve always believed that you’re not a good writer until you write something that makes someone cry and something else to make someone laugh. I think I’ve been able to do that and you do, it feels like you’ve reached the pinnacle.”

DeLuca listed the opportunity to cover things such as a game in the 1971 World Series, four Steeler AFC Championship Games, five Spring Trainings in Florida as some of his favorite memories.

But, the opportunity to cover Bill Mazeroski — a fellow Warren Consolidated High School graduate — being inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 2001 as one of his favorite memories.

“Being there in Cooperstown when Maz got inducted was great and the fact that Maz knew who I was was really cool,” DeLuca said. “Those types of things make you feel good about the years invested.”

DeLuca eventually presented Mazeroski for induction at the OVAC Hall of Fame and the two have remained buddies throughout.

While games and scores come and go, the relationship side of the business was an area that DeLuca will always cherish. Quite frankly, he met far too many people to try to list them all, but he formed relationships — some closer than others — with countless people during his career.

“I feel like most of the friends I have in the Ohio Valley are because of my career at the newspaper,” DeLuca said. “I probably got invited to more graduation parties than I ever would have dreamed or and even some weddings. I still talk to many of these people, too. The relationships are something that will never be taken for granted.”

DeLuca pointed to his relationship with long-time Buckeye Local head football coach Ron Pobolish as an example.

“I am close with not only Pobe, but his entire family,” DeLuca said. “These are things I truly cherish.”

Most interesting about DeLuca’s long-time career is the fact that he was never a full-time newspaper employee. He worked as a part time or freelancer throughout his career.

“I did it because I loved it,” DeLuca said. “I loved writing, and I loved sports. If you’re going to be in this (journalism) business, you’re going to have to really enjoy it because you’re going to work late, work tired and still have to get the job done.”

DeLuca, who penned his final article for the T-L last weekend, plans to remain involved with the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference. He’s currently the standings commissioner and the director of the volleyball and basketball championships.

“I probably did the standings for the OVAC for the first time 25 or 30 years ago and it got to the point where someone needed to do it and things just mushroomed from there,” DeLuca said. “I really enjoy being involved with those events.”

Lastly, DeLuca wanted to thank the Ohio Valley.

“I really appreciate the opportunity to watch and see so many young kids play and then follow their careers as they went on to be successful in sports and other fields,” DeLuca said.

OSU ALUMNI CLUB OF BELMONT COUNTY

The club is holding its annual banquet on Friday, July 22 at Belmont Hills Country Club. Former Buckeye and Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Mike Tomczak will be the featured speaker at the event, which includes a social hour at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Tomczak was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Buckeyes in a career that stretched from 1981-85. Tomczak led the Buckeyes to two bowl victories and two wins over arch-rival, Michigan. Tomczak was drafted by the Bears, who won the Super Bowl his rookie season. He finished his career with the Steelers and is currently a broadcaster.

Tickets for the event are $50. For more information, contact Mike Maistros at 740-695-2002.

DONNELLY BOOK SIGNING

Ohio Valley native and former Pittsburgh Pirates assistant coach Rich Donnelly will be signing copies of his book, “The Chicken Runs at Midnight” on Saturday, July 16 at the grand opening of the Swearingen Bat Company in Toronto from 1-4 p.m. The Pirate Parrot will make an appearance at the event from 1-2 p.m. The address for the Swearingen Bat Company is 724 North Fourth Street.

SETH’S SCOOPS

THE ANNUAL Bellaire Touchdown Golf Club Scramble was held late last month with a foursome of Joe Soos, Jon Soos, Jay Soos and Nino Drexler claiming the title with a 14-under par score. Casey Stiles won the long putt on No. 1 and the long drive on No. 3 and No. 10. Jay Soos sank the longest putt on No. 12.

THE 150TH Open Championship unfolds this week at St. Andrew’s. I am going with Rory McIlroy to hoist the Claret Jug.