Novak, Stan

Stanley Novak

Novak was an All-Ivy League player at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1940s. He continued to be involved with the game long after his playing days ended, coaching high school and professional ball. The Continental Basketball Association (CBA) named its coach of the year trophy after Novak.

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Career Highlights:
A terrific high school player for West Philadelphia High School, Novak was a two-time all-public league player and led his 1941 team to the Public League Championship. Novak attended the University of Pennsylvania and was named the team's MVP in 1944, but then joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. After his stint in the Navy, Novak returned to Penn where he made All-Ivy League his junior and senior seasons The team captain as a senior in 1948, Stan was also named Penn's Most Inspirational Player that year.

After his playng days, Novak turned to coaching. From 1949-1967, he coached at Springfield High School and had a record of 245-89. While coaching at Springfield, Novak also was player/coach for Sunbury in the Eastern Basketball Association. He also coached in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) with the Wilkes Barre Barons, the Scranton Miners, and other teams. Stan was the winningest coach in CBA history, garnering four championships, and nabbing Coach of the Year plaudits on six occasions. The CBA honored him by naming the Coach of the Year trophy the 'Stan Novak Coach of the Year Award.'

From 1980-1992, Novak was Director of Scouting for the Detroit Pistons; the Pistons won the NBA Championship in 1989 and 1990. Novak then served as Director of Scouting for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1992 until his retirement in 1997. Novak is a member of the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the Philadelphia Basketball Hall of Fame.

Origin:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Career Dates:
Novak played at the University of Pennsylvaniain 1944, and again in 1947-1948.

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