May 21, 2023 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo
Joe DeLuce, a Recreation, Sport and Tourism graduate [M.S., 2001] and former visiting instructor, retired in December 2022 after 43 years in the park management industry, including his final 25 at the Champaign Park District, where he was executive director at the time of his retirement. DeLuce is not someone who likes the spotlight, so we sought out a couple of longtime colleagues and alumni who were more than happy to talk about working with him.
Elliott Bortner
Superintendent of Recreation
Geneva Park District
Bortner got his bachelor’s degree from RST in 2011. He met DeLuce in 2007 as a freshman when he was a kinesiology major.
Q: When did you first meet Joe?
A: I learned in my first semester that this field of study was not my passion and I met with my advisor in AHS. After asking a few questions about my interests, where I had worked in the past, and more, she let me know about RST and suggested I take a couple courses second semester. The first class I took was instructed by Joe and, by semester’s end, I felt confident this was the field of study I wanted to pursue. Fast forward to my senior year, I was fortunate enough to intern at the Champaign Park District while Joe was serving as the director of recreation.
Q: What has Joe meant to Urbana-Champaign?
A: I only lived in town a couple years following graduation, but those two years I was able to see the profound impact Joe had on the community. The way he interacted with people and everything he was involved in are two things that stand out to me when I think back to those times. Seemingly every place we went he knew someone, asked about their family or how their job was going, talked Illinois athletics and more.
Q: What was Joe’s main contribution to the parks department?
A: During my time at the Champaign Park District [2011-2013], I think one of his biggest contributions to the district was how the Virginia Theatre grew under his leadership, including its renovation/restoration. Since
that time, I think one of the most impactful contributions is the new Martens Center in Champaign.
Q: Do you have a funny story to share?
A: I knew Joe played racquetball and I had played a few dozen times at CRCE [Campus Recreation Center East] and the ARC [Activities & Recreation Center] when I was a student. During my time working at the Champaign Park District, I challenged Joe to racquetball many times—challenges that were often met with chuckles and “Are you sure?!” He finally took me up on the challenge one day. He beat me three straight games and I don’t think I scored a single point. But, being the teacher/mentor he has always been for me, we then went to a different court where two others were playing. He and I teamed up for doubles and, after a few quick pointers, I improved enough to where we won a game.
Q: What has Joe done to make an impact on your life?
Following my internship and graduation, Joe asked if I would stay on and work under him as the recreation intern. In the following year, I had the opportunity to lead the District’s effort for Illinois Park and Recreation Association’s (IPRA) Distinguished Agency award and projects related to the District’s ADA Transition Plan. Joe brought me along to staff meetings, involved me in project planning meetings, encouraged me to make connections throughout the community, etc. A new full-time position was created at the Douglass Community Center and I was fortunate enough to be hired into that role. A year later, I became the special events and volunteer coordinator. In 2013, I moved back to my hometown of Batavia and began working at the Geneva Park District. In the fall of 2022, I applied for the Superintendent of Recreation position at the Geneva Park District and Joe spent over an hour on the phone with me prepping me with things to think about, ideas to prepare, and questions to consider. About a month later, outside of my family, he was the first person I called to tell I was named the new superintendent. One of Joe’s aphorisms is “You interview for your next job every day”—I have tried to keep that in mind throughout my career. Joe has truly shaped my career in recreation and as a professional—ultimately his biggest impact has been being a mentor and a friend.
Sue Grey
President and CEO
United Way of Champaign County
Grey is a 1983 RST graduate and serves on the AHS Board of Visitors. She worked with DeLuce at Champaign Park District, and has known him for more than two decades.
Q: What has Joe meant to Champaign-Urbana?
A: Joe has been a quiet, steady leader. He has brought innovative and fun ideas to the community—helping our park district be the best in the area and across the state and country.
Q: What was Joe’s main contribution to the parks department?
A: Joe has brought consistency, stability and strong leadership. He carefully managed the budget, and worked to make necessary improvements to facilities and parks.
Q: What has Joe done to make an impact on your life?
A: I appreciate that Joe was always a good listener. He took the time to make sure you were heard. That is an important quality that we could all use
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