If you’ve been around volleyball in the Keystone Region, chances are you’ve seen Neal Kenzakowski with a whistle in hand. From his first games as a kid in CYO to calling some of the biggest college rivalries in the country, Neal has pretty much done it all. In this Q&A, he talks about how he got started, what keeps him motivated, and even what song he’d pick as his referee walk-up music.
Q: How did you first get involved with volleyball?
A: I started playing when I was 12 for a CYO boys’ team. By 13, I had joined Media Volleyball Club, and in high school I played with Quaker City Volleyball Club. Later, I played a year with the men’s club team at West Chester University.
Q: Tell us about your officiating journey.
A: It all started thanks to my Quaker City coach, Mike McPoyle. His son Michael Jr. and I usually handled the R2 and scorer duties for our work team assignments. In spring of 1998, Mike—who had just been elected KRVA’s Referee Chair—asked us to help with a 12s tournament at the Conshohocken Court House. We made $100 and thought we’d struck gold! That’s when I caught the officiating bug.
From there, I earned my Regional referee rating in 2002, Junior National in 2006, and National in 2008. I became a National Scorer in 2007 and earned my PAVO National in 2009. Along the way, I’ve officiated high school (PIAA) since 2001, including several state championships, and have been fortunate to work numerous NCAA conference championships and playoffs—including DI first-round matches. Today, I officiate across multiple conferences, including the SEC, ACC, and Big East.
Q: What’s your role at Keystone Region Volleyball Association, and how long have you been involved?
A: In 2007, Mike McPoyle appointed me Director of Referee Development. That meant recruiting and training officials at the Provisional and Regional levels. Over time, my responsibilities expanded to identifying Junior National and National candidates.
In 2014, Glenn Reid and I became Officials’ Coordinators. Together with Trish Hoover (Director of Recruitment) and Dave Jones (Director of Referee Development), we manage all aspects of officiating for KRVA. It’s a true team effort.
[In July 2024, Neal joined the KRVA Board of Directors.]
Q: What do you enjoy most about being part of the Keystone Region?
A: KRVA has always led the way in referee development. At national championships, our officials consistently get selected for higher-level matches, including gold finals. The board has always supported our division, and that backing means a lot. Personally, I enjoy collaborating with Glenn, Trish, and Dave—we don’t always agree, but we’re united in doing what’s best for our officials and our members.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering officiating?
A: Officiating is a marathon, not a sprint. You need to work a ton of matches, make mistakes, and learn from them. Those mistakes are where you build resilience and figure out how to handle adversity.
Q: What’s the most memorable match you’ve ever officiated?
A: Without a doubt, the Army–Navy game. I’ve been lucky enough to officiate it a few times, and the rivalry, tradition, and prestige of that match are unmatched.
Q: If referees had walk-up music, what would yours be?
A: I don’t love the idea of officials being seen as “the bad guys,” but I can’t help laughing at the thought of walking out to the Imperial March from Star Wars.
Q: If KRVA handed out superlatives, what would yours be?
A: Easy—“Better Than Glenn.”
Just for Fun
Favorite pump-up song: Thunderstruck by AC/DC
Go-to drink: Coffee
Emoji that best describes you at a tournament: 🙄
Hidden talent: I’ve been called the best DJ at Keystone Region tournaments!
Whether he’s calling the shots from the stand or spinning the perfect pump-up playlist, Neal Kenzakowski brings energy, dedication, and a touch of fun to every tournament.