Brescia University junior Will McKenzie doesn’t consider himself as a big man on campus; however, his influence is well known in his brief two years in Owensboro. McKenzie has won many accolades since becoming a Bearcat in the fall of 2011, but the Logan County High School graduate is becoming best known as the “Voice of the Bearcats” during men’s and women’s basketball games.
William Joseph McKenzie was both June 8, 1993 and raised in the Kentucky town Russellville. His father, Terry McKenzie, is purchasing agent for Knight Electric and his mother, Candy Hardiman, is the Materials Manager for Logan Aluminum. “My parents have been my biggest influences,” says Will. “Without them I wouldn’t be here. They’ve supported me from day one, no matter whether I’ve had a good or bad day in whatever I’ve been doing.”
Athletics have always played a significant role in Will’s life. Although he is a mathematics major, he says, “My main goal in life is to be working with sports, whether it be in coaching, administration or broadcasting,” but added the great thing about receiving a college education if a career in athletics doesn’t work in his favor, he can always go into accounting because he will have his degree to fall back on.
As a member of the Bearcat golf team, he had a breakout year in 2012-13, winning a tournament at My Old Kentucky Home golf course in Bardstown and receiving medalist honors in two other tournaments, earning him All-KIAC honors as a sophomore. He credits his father for helping elevate his golf game, saying, “My dad has been helping me with my golf game for as long as I can remember, and I wouldn’t be on a college golf scholarship without his help.”
His game peaked this summer as he qualified for the Kentucky State Amateur Open. Although his score wasn’t what he would have wanted at the event, he was happy to get his feet wet among the elite golfers of Kentucky. “My State Amateur experience was great,” says McKenzie. “I loved the atmosphere. Playing in that was something that I have never experienced before. I hit the ball well, just couldn’t make any putts. I wish I had played better, but that’s golf.”
The 2012-13 academic year was a turning point for Will McKenzie the student, and the man. After a meeting with men’s basketball coach Josh Gibson in the fall of 2012, he agreed to announce games courtside for the Bearcats and subsequently ended up doing Lady Bearcats games as well. “I started helping my dad broadcast games on WRUS radio when I was younger, and I got very interested in broadcasting” says McKenzie, adding it “also got me interested in announcing games as well. Once I got an opportunity to announce games at LCHS, I fell in love with it.”
Coach Gibson says, “Will was such a professional when it came to doing the job. He always went above and beyond what was required of him, even helping burn DVDs for opposing teams after games, helping officials set up in their locker rooms, showing up early and helping clean up at the end, he was the consummate professional. We greatly appreciated his efforts last season.”
Women’s coach Summer Quesenberry adds, “Will displays great passion and university pride in everything he does. From announcing games to volunteering for basketball practice squad, his positive outlook and work ethic enables those he encounters to strive to be better.”
McKenzie is set to announce for more sports this year as he will add women’s soccer duties as well. “I hope to get more involved this coming year and announce as many games as I can, across all sports,” he says.
From humble beginnings to a vibrant present, Will McKenzie is leaving his mark at Brescia University. Having a great family support system and a great passion for being involved, Will no doubt will leave Brescia in a couple of years with big shoes to fill as a campus leader, volunteer and humanitarian.