4 minute read
Gary Novak
LA SALLE-PERU
Accomplishments
• A 1970 La Salle-Peru graduate, Novak was a twotime AP All-State selection who averaged 24.0 points and 14.7 rebounds per game at L-P • Named First Team All-State by the Chicago Daily News,
Chicago Today, Rockford
Morning Star, Champaign
News-Gazette and was an
Honorary Captain of Prep
Sports Special • Three-year starter at Notre
Dame, Novak played in 85 straight games and was a member of the 1974 team that ended UCLA’s 88-game winning streak • Drafted in the fifth round of the 1974 NBA Draft by the
Cleveland Cavaliers
SUBMITTED PHOTO
By Bobby Narang
WHERE are they R ight before the start of his junior season at La Salle-Peru High School, Dr. Gary Novak’s life underwent a dramatic change. Novak, a 1970 L-P graduate, remains a well-known name around the state. He set many records in an illustrious basketball career at L-P and the University of Notre Dame. But Novak showed little signs of becoming a breakout player early in his high school career. “At that time, I was not that good of a basketball player for the first couple of years (of high school),” Novak said. “I was on the sophomore ‘B’ team. But then, I grew almost six or seven inches in a short timespan. Late in my sophomore NOW year is when I hit that growth spurt. Suddenly, everything took off.”
At 6-foot-7, Novak had the height to become a game-changing player. He could score inside or outside, and dominated smaller opponents in the post. Novak, who’s among the inductees into the NewsTribune’s Illinois Valley Sports Hall of Fame, went on to a storied career in basketball. Novak, a two-time Associated Press See Novak Page 42
FROM PAGE 41 All-State selection, averaged 24 points and 14.7 rebounds per game at L-P. In his senior season, he guided the Cavaliers to a 29-3 record and an Elite Eight appearance in the state tournament.
Novak, 67, said his basketball career played a big part in helping him reach his ultimate goal of being a doctor. Novak said he plans to retire this fall after 40 years in practice in Chicagoland.
“When I grew, it showed me I could learn how to play different positions on the team and be successful,” he said. “At L-P, I played mostly center my senior year, but in college, I played forward and some center as well.
“I really had a desire to strengthen my game, play the best that I could. I think I really had an advantage in particular in high school with being that tall. There were not a lot of players taller than that in high school at the time. I worked pretty hard to try and improve my skills in basketball. We had some tremendous teams at L-P, both in my junior and senior years.”
A three-year starter at Notre Dame, Novak set a school record by starting in 85 straight games in his Irish career. Just over 50 years ago, Novak played in one of the most historic games in NCAA history when his Irish team ended UCLA’s 88game winning streak. Novak, called “Goose” by his Notre Dame teammates, takes pride in getting drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fifth round of the 1974 NBA Draft. He admitted to not having any ambition to seek out a professional career. In 1972, Novak was among a group of American players that traveled to Russia and played several games against teams from Russia and Finland.
“I always wanted to be a doctor,” he said. “I never thought of basketball becoming a profession. I was fortunate to be on some pretty amazing teams over the years, in high school and college. I’m really proud to be a Cavalier. Sports was a great experience for me, especially to be a member of some great teams. I have some really fond memories playing for L-P.”
Novak, an inductee into the La Salle-Peru Hall of Honor, credited his wife of 43 years and three kids for supporting him throughout his career.
“My mom and dad were avid basketball fans,” Novak said. “My mom was particularly interested in seeing me play basketball in high school and college. She would cut out the articles from locals newspapers and made scrapbooks of my career in high school and college. I’ve had a lot of people influence through the years. I’m so thankful for the opportunities that I’ve received due to sports and my time at L-P and Notre Dame.”
Gary Novak
Hard Work- PerseveranceLearning-Studying-Sacrifice We Salutethis year’sInductees!
