DeLuca’s love for dice started with his interest in Dungeons and Dragons. He remembers the moment that sparked his passion: “You buy one set of dice and you’re like, ‘Oh, these are cool.’ Then your DM said, ‘Okay, that’ll be 2d6s.’ What do you mean 2d6s? I only have 1.” If you’re wondering what d6 means, it means six-sided die. The format for the category of his dice is d and the number of sides a dice has. This confusion pushed him to find more sets, leading to his impressive collection.
Now, DeLuca owns 131 sets of dice. Among them are unique pieces like Captain Barbosa, a coin-shaped die, and Amelia Earhart, a D20 made from airplane-grade aluminum that costs $120. For him, these dice are more than just collectibles; they are tools that help his students learn.
DeLuca created a game that pits his honors classes against each other to encourage teamwork and friendly competition. “The game I made helps build a competitive bond among students,” he explains. This fun approach makes learning enjoyable and helps students make friends.
Over the years, many of DeLuca’s students have contributed to his collection by giving him dice as gifts. “I have at least two dozen sets gifted by students,” he said. “If I counted them and found out it was actually 3,000, it wouldn’t surprise me.” This connection adds personal meaning to his collection.
DeLuca also enjoys the different shapes and colors of his dice. He treasures those named after his grandfathers and dreams of owning a giant tungsten D20, inspired by a friend’s collection. “My friend paid $90 for one die that’s this big. I want one that’s even bigger,” he laughed.
To make game sessions even more exciting, DeLuca uses a 3D-printed dice tower shaped like a skull. “It adds a fun touch to our games,” he said, showcasing his creativity. This detail makes the overall experience better for his students.
Despite having a large collection, DeLuca always searches for new and interesting pieces. He jokes, “I need more sets. Eventually, you just become a dice goblin entirely.” His playful attitude shows how much he loves the gaming world.
DeLuca’s influence on his students is clear as the school year continues. His dedication to creating a fun learning environment demonstrates how passion can positively impact education. Through his collection of dice, he shows that learning can be both enjoyable and meaningful.
