1.1A Senate resolution
1.2congratulating Ken Novak Jr. of Hopkins High School on being named the ESPN
1.3RISE National Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.
1.4WHEREAS, ESPN RISE, a high school sports magazine published monthly during the
1.5school year in 25 markets around the United States, annually names a national high school
1.6basketball coach of the year; and
1.7WHEREAS, Ken Novak Jr., head coach at Hopkins High School, played for his father, Ken
1.8Sr., at Hopkins and learned valuable coaching skills which paid dividends in his own career; and
1.9WHEREAS, after playing for two years at Augsburg College in Minneapolis and serving
1.10as an assistant coach for three years at Blaine High School, Ken Novak Jr. served as head coach
1.11for seven years at Blaine before returning to his alma mater in 1990; and
1.12WHEREAS, in his 22 seasons at Hopkins, Ken Novak Jr. has led the Royals to an
1.13outstanding 542-74 record with six state Class 4A championships, and he also coached the
1.14Hopkins girls team for a few years, leading them to a state title in 1995; and
1.15WHEREAS, this year's team, led by Minnesota's Mr. Basketball and Minnesota Gopher
1.16recruit Joe Coleman, won its third straight championship with a 31-1 record and was ranked No.
1.1715 in the POWERADE FAB 50 ESPN RISE national rankings; and
1.18WHEREAS, Ken Novak Jr. has also coached outstanding players such as Joe's brother
1.19and former Gopher Dan Coleman, 2003 McDonald's All-American and current NBA player Kris
1.20Humphries, and Gopher senior Blake Hoffarber; and
2.1WHEREAS, Ken Novak Jr.'s keys on becoming a successful coach include treating players
2.2as individuals, stressing versatility by having well-rounded players who can do about everything
2.3on the court, and stressing unselfishness by having players who can pass well; and
2.4NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota
2.5that it congratulates Ken Novak Jr. of Hopkins High School on being named the ESPN RISE
2.6National Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.
2.7BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
2.8enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
2.9Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to Ken Novak Jr.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Amy T. KochChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Ron LatzState Senator, District 44