Novak Brothers Proud of Caputo, Moore

 

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By Randy York

One of the best things about the Tom Novak Award is the respect it commands inside the Nebraska football family itself. Last Thursday night at the Outland Trophy Banquet in Omaha, Nebraska offensive line coach Barney Cotton mentioned his dad always talking about how tough Novak was. Mike Caputo and Terrence Moore, co-recipients of the 2011 Tom Novak Award, know the history behind the man. They also know the award goes to the player that "best exemplifies courage and determination despite all odds in the manner of Nebraska All-America center Tom Novak."

Tuesday, Caputo and Moore will describe why the award means so much to them, especially after learning that Novak is one of only two Nebraska players ever to have his jersey retired and the only Cornhusker ever honored with four consecutive first-team all-conference awards.

But first, we think Nebraska fans might be interested to know that both of Tom Novak's sons were also Husker letter-winners ... in basketball, not football. Still, they never cease to be amazed at the success stories behind each Novak Award winner. The Novak brothers were proud to meet Caputo and Moore. They are impressed by the determination of Caputo, a walk-on center who became a two-year starter, and the courage of Moore, who overcame obstacles just getting out of New Orleans and into Nebraska and then playing one of his final games with a heavy heart last November after his father's death.

Tom Novak Jr. led two state high school championship teams at Lincoln Northeast, and younger brother Terry Novak starred on one state title team at Northeast. At Nebraska, neither was a star, but each worked his way into the starting lineup by playing hard and showing considerable courage and determination. Each Novak brother earned three letters as a Cornhusker. Tom lettered in 1972, '73 and '74, and Terry lettered in 1975, '77 and '78. Both knew the heartbreak of injury. And, like their late father, both knew the importance of giving your best, even when a championship fades from the list of options.

"We came close to winning the (Big Eight Conference) post-season tournament my senior year in '78, Sure wish we hadn't let Missouri off the hook (in a 61-58 loss)," said Terry, who became a Husker starter as a junior. Terry was among Husker players supporting Doc Sadler in Nebraska's final Big Eight game last season and in NU's first Big Ten game this season. "I felt very fortunate the way we went out as seniors," Terry said. "My senior season was the most fun I ever had in basketball!"

The Huskers started 10-0 in '78 and finished 22-8. "We wound up being the only team to beat Kansas in conference play that year and almost beat them in Lawrence, too," Terry said, remembering how Moe Iba arrived in Lincoln in 1970 and became a good friend of his, along with the late Joe Cipriano, because they let him hang out at the Coliseum to watch brother Tom. The experience planted a meaningful dream inside Terry's head that he, too, could play Big Eight basketball. "Tom was the best shooter I ever played with," Terry said. "He was lights out until he got injured. I didn't get his touch. I didn't score much in college." Terry's roles were 1) defense; 2) help defense; and 3) rebounding. But he could drive, and he could score.

Tom Jr. remembers making his first start as a Husker three games into his sophomore season and severely spraining his ankle on the first shot he took. "I never fully recovered for the next year-and-a-half," he said. "I didn't start again until my senior season."

Still, that '74 season was memorable because "we beat both Missouri and Kansas State on the road, and both teams were extremely good that year," Tom said. "We beat Missouri in triple overtime in Columbia and beat K-State when they were leading the conference." Surprisingly, during Tom's junior season, the Huskers beat Kansas three times, yet finished the season with a losing record.

"It was always electric when Kansas came to Lincoln, and when I played it was the same for Missouri and K-State," Tom said. "Obviously, we've moved forward, and Nebraska's doing it in a big way. I think the Big Ten is a great conference in all sports, and their basketball teams are some of the best in the country, year in and year out. It's a big challenge and playing in a new arena will only highlight the experience."

Sadler led a recent tour of Nebraska's basketball facility for Iba, who was elevated from NU assistant to head coach and now lives in Texas. Terry Novak was on the same facility tour and couldn't help but reminisce how time changes and how much he's looking forward to visiting Big Ten cities and starting new traditions.

"I never really felt like the Big 12 was a very good fit for Nebraska," Terry said. "I really missed the Coliseum when we left, and I'm sure I'll miss the Devaney. But I'm looking forward to the new place and hoping it's really a big boost to the basketball program."

Both Novak brothers still live in Lincoln. Terry founded Lincoln Trucking and still owns and manages the large warehousing and transportation business in Northeast Lincoln. Tom Jr. is now retired after spending 27 years as the Omaha manager for the United Parcel Services (UPS) Freight Division.

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