Year Inducted: 1980
Nominated By: Herb Casebeer
Sports Competed In: N/A
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Coach, Contributor

David J. NovakDavid J. Novak

High School:
Went to Pueblo Central H.S., graduating in 1947.

College:
Attended Pueblo Junior College from 1948-1950 earning an A.A. degree before going to Adams State College in Alamosa, CO where he graduated in 1952....Continued his post-graduate studies at Western State College in Gunnison, CO, and graduating in 1960.

Contributions:
● Spent 30 years as a teacher, coach and administrator for School District #60.
● Begin his teaching career as a classroom, P.E. and Group Guidance Teacher from 1953-62.
● Moved into administration at Pueblo East H.S. as the school's Activities Director for two years (1968-70), before becoming an Assistant Principal for the next five years (1970-75).
● Moved on to Pitts Middle School and Roncalli Middle School (1976-78) to serve as in the capacity of Assistant Principal.
● Served as the president for football, basketball and baseball umpire study groups.

Achievements:
● Coached Junior High School - Football, Basketball, Track as well as handling the duties of Old Timers Baseball and working as its coordinator.
● Ran the Pueblo Softball League.
● Director of the Babe Ruth State Baseball Tournament.
● The "Key Man" in successful bid for Pueblo to secure the 1976 Babe Ruth Baseball and was appointed as Colorado District #4 Colorado Old Timers Director from 1972-75.
● Also during the same time, held the position as President of the Runyon Field Committee from 1973-1974.
● Elected as the State Old Timers Director for two years (1977-79).

Occupations:
● Owner of  David J. Novak Photography.
● Donated pictures of Honorees to the Greater Pueblo Sports Association (GPSA) for many years...Honorees paid nothing for the photograph to go into the Hall of Fame.

Personal:
Lived in Pueblo with his wife, Laurel...Passed away on January 31, 2004.


GPSA "N" By The Numbers

LEGEND: p = awarded posthumously; ^= attended first meeting; * = deceased;+ = charter member (placed after year inducted)

1
Athlete
David "Dave" Netherton (2005)

Athlete/Coach
Luther J. Nava (1983)

Attended First Meeting
David J. "Dave" Novak (1980*>)

Attended Pueblo Central H.S.
David J. "Dave" Novak (1980*>)

Attended Pueblo Centennial H.S.
Luther J. Nava (1983)

Attended Pueblo East H.S.
David "Dave" Netherton (2005)

Attended H.S. Inside Colorado
Tony Niccoli, Jr. (1973+*p)
Trinidad H.S., Trinidad, CO

Attended H.S. Outside Colorado
George A. "Newt" Newton (1984*p)
In Illinois

Charter Inductee
Tony Niccoli, Jr. (1973+*p)

Charter Inductee
Tony Niccoli, Jr. (1973+*p)

Coach/Contributor/Official
David J. "Dave" Novak (1980*>)

Contributor
George A. "Newt" Newton (1984*p)

Football
Luther J. Nava (1983)

Official
Tony Niccoli, Jr. (1973+*p)

2 
Basketball
David "Dave" Netherton (2005)
Luther J. Nava (1983)

AHonorees Awarded Posthumously
George A. Newton (1984*p)
Tony Niccoli, Jr. (1973+*p)

 

3
Honorees Deceased
JGeorge A. "Newt" Newton (1984*p)
David J. "Dave" Novak (1980*>)
Tony Niccoli, Jr. (1973+*p )

5
Honorees in "N" Section

Remembering Our Fallen GPSA Inductees

The Greater Pueblo Sports Association (GPSA) has announced a list of honorees that have passed since the 2022 induction ceremony on Nov. 16.

 

Dennis TrujilloDennis
Trujillo

11/28/2022
Class of 2007

Knafelc obitGary L.
Knafelc

12/19/2022
Class of 1973

Don StuttersDr. Donald
Stutters

01/20/2023
Class of 1993