His love for volleyball — or, more specifically, officiating it — won’t let him.

“I’m not home very many weekends,” Miceli said recently as he sat on the deck at Bemus Point Golf Club and Tap House. “I leave Friday and get home Sunday night. It’s been one of those things. It’s been my life.”

It’s easy to understand why, given the run he’s had since working his first high school match in 1978.

Consider a few of his resume highlights:

The site of the 2023 Boys Junior National Volleyball Championships in Salt Lake City. Submitted photo

¯ After being assigned his first college women’s match in 1981, he has worked all levels of men’s and women’s volleyball (Divisions I, II, III and NJCAA), including numerous collegiate championship finals and first-round playoffs.

¯ Has served as the area’s rules interpreter and conducted new volleyball officials classes since 1982.

¯ Has officiated 12 New York State Public High School Athletic Association championships and has been either a monitor or rater at almost all of the others.

“(My wife Betsy), when she was at one of the tournaments and was by the court,” Miceli recalled, “someone came up to her and said, ‘Do you know that ref?’ She said, ‘Yes, that’s my husband.’ The person said, ‘He really likes what he’s doing, doesn’t he?’ I think that’s one of the biggest compliments you can see.”

Miceli’s latest volleyball gig came earlier this month when he officiated 49 matches in eight days at the 2023 Boys Junior National Championships in Salt Lake City. Working as a first referee in the 15U Club finals, he was joined by five other officials who hailed from different regions throughout the United States. It was Miceli’s first boys junior nationals.

Curt Miceli has been officiating volleyball since 1978. Submitted photo

The trip to Utah, however, did mark the second gold final he has worked as a first referee. The initial time was in 2016 at the Girls Junior National Championships in Indianapolis.

“It was really an honor,” Miceli said of his time in Salt Lake City. ” … I thought I did a very good job”

Of course, officiating at big-time volleyball tournaments is nothing new for him.

Beginning in 2002, when he received his junior national certification patch, also in Salt Lake City, Miceli has been to 11 girls Junior National Championships — Dallas (2008 and 2020), Indianapolis (2016, 2019), Detroit (2018), Salt Lake City (2015), Orlando (2012), Atlanta (2006, 2011) and Houston (2004).

“It’s nice to be able to go to a place,” Miceli admitted, “and when you walk in a coach says, ‘I’m glad you’re here.'”

Ironically, when he was in his teens, Miceli figured he would be known more for his prowess as a wrestler. In fact, the 1972 Maple Grove High School graduate was so talented on the mat that he had dreams of becoming an Olympian.

“I tore my knee very bad trying to make the Olympic team (in 1971),” he said. “Three out of four ligaments were gone.”

And so was his wrestling career.

But about two years later he found a new passion.

Volleyball.

It’s been full steam ahead ever since.

In fact, even though his birthday was on July 23, Miceli and family couldn’t celebrate until evening because he spent the weekend in Syracuse at a volleyball officials meeting.

It wasn’t really surprising.

“I don’t have a month off (from volleyball),” Miceli said.

The hard work has paid dividends.

For 45 years.