(08-02-2011 02:35 PM)NIUHuskies86 Wrote:  I know this program had its moments of glory before he arrived, like the 1963 "small college" National Championship and the 1983 MAC Champions. But, as far as I'm concerned, Joe Novak IS the NIU football program. The Yordon Center is there because of him, the team consistently brings in good recruiting classes because of the legacy he built, we see people like Doug Free, Ryan Diem, and Michael Turner making a major impact in the NFL every week because of him, most of the upperclassmen on last years record-setting team for wins were guys he recruited.

Even this season with the great offense, 4/5 of the awesome offensive line, the star QB, and 2 (maybe 3 if Grady plays enough) of our key WR's are Novak recruits. And the reason the program has hired 2 capable replacements since he left is it was left in good shape by Novak (it's too bad the fluky 2007 season was his last). Even whenever the IPF is built, it'll be something you can tie, perhaps more indirectly, to Novak IMO. Anytime I watch a game at Alabama, I'll know NIU won there. Anytime I watch College GameDay, I'll remember when they were at an NIU GAME (even though they lost). I'm all for street names, statues, or anything else to honor him.

Lets not forget Joe was DC on the 1983 MAC Championship team. In both stints Joe Novak has been a Huskie Football coach for 16 seasons.

(08-02-2011 02:43 PM)BobL Wrote:  

(08-02-2011 02:35 PM)NIUHuskies86 Wrote:  I know this program had its moments of glory before he arrived, like the 1963 "small college" National Championship and the 1983 MAC Champions. But, as far as I'm concerned, Joe Novak IS the NIU football program. The Yordon Center is there because of him, the team consistently brings in good recruiting classes because of the legacy he built, we see people like Doug Free, Ryan Diem, and Michael Turner making a major impact in the NFL every week because of him, most of the upperclassmen on last years record-setting team for wins were guys he recruited.

Even this season with the great offense, 4/5 of the awesome offensive line, the star QB, and 2 (maybe 3 if Grady plays enough) of our key WR's are Novak recruits. And the reason the program has hired 2 capable replacements since he left is it was left in good shape by Novak (it's too bad the fluky 2007 season was his last). Even whenever the IPF is built, it'll be something you can tie, perhaps more indirectly, to Novak IMO. Anytime I watch a game at Alabama, I'll know NIU won there. Anytime I watch College GameDay, I'll remember when they were at an NIU GAME (even though they lost). I'm all for street names, statues, or anything else to honor him.

Lets not forget Joe was DC on the 1983 MAC Championship team. In both stints Joe Novak has been a Huskie Football coach for 16 seasons.

Well I e-mailed AD Compher and he likes the idea. His reply was..."Great suggestions on recognizing Coach Novak. I will run this by my staff and other officials at the University to see what type of approval process we would need to go through."

So hopefully this happens and the sooner the better.

(08-02-2011 02:35 PM)NIUHuskies86 Wrote:  I know this program had its moments of glory before he arrived, like the 1963 "small college" National Championship and the 1983 MAC Champions. But, as far as I'm concerned, Joe Novak IS the NIU football program. The Yordon Center is there because of him, the team consistently brings in good recruiting classes because of the legacy he built, we see people like Doug Free, Ryan Diem, and Michael Turner making a major impact in the NFL every week because of him, most of the upperclassmen on last years record-setting team for wins were guys he recruited.

Even this season with the great offense, 4/5 of the awesome offensive line, the star QB, and 2 (maybe 3 if Grady plays enough) of our key WR's are Novak recruits. And the reason the program has hired 2 capable replacements since he left is it was left in good shape by Novak (it's too bad the fluky 2007 season was his last). Even whenever the IPF is built, it'll be something you can tie, perhaps more indirectly, to Novak IMO. Anytime I watch a game at Alabama, I'll know NIU won there. Anytime I watch College GameDay, I'll remember when they were at an NIU GAME (even though they lost). I'm all for street names, statues, or anything else to honor him.

Many positive things happened to the school during Joe's tenure. It flushed out many grads who had money and never came back. For example Jeff Yordan. Pual Kahan a grad and the owner/chef of Blackbird and Publican in Chicago came back. Applications increased. But ion those you tube interviews he was so right that a school like NIU can never become complacent. You cannot minimize his importance in the school

I agree GCD, I think the last few years also showed us how much one really bad year can hurt a program like NIU's, 2007 just killed the momentum, and we're having to build it all up.

You're not going to be great every year and going for 10 wins, but god I hope we don't go through another season like that for a long time.

(08-02-2011 02:57 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  Well I e-mailed AD Compher and he likes the idea. His reply was..."Great suggestions on recognizing Coach Novak. I will run this by my staff and other officials at the University to see what type of approval process we would need to go through."

So hopefully this happens and the sooner the better.

Nice work!

Crappin' thanks for posting.

Just got around to watching. The previous posts and my "moniker" echo my feelings.

Have never met the man but hope to bump into him at a game someday and be able to shake his hand and thank him.

I wanted so much for him to see a MACC win this year. I pictured him raising his arms in victory like the Maryland game.

Maybe this year. Third time's the charm?

If you haven't already. Take 20-30 minutes and watch. It's a refreshing break from the ESPN3 discussions.

Very good videos - always liked Novak. Helped the program and did it the right way too. I met him in Detroit before the MACC and thanked him for the job he did at NIU.

Thanks for posting this. I have always and will always think of the Yordon Center as The House That Joe Built. I wish that they would name a street after him that is adjacent to Huskie Stadium, a statue would be cool too. I finally had the opportunty to meet coach Novak in person before the last championship game in Detroit. He is a class act and someone that I will always respect and admire.