The man, the maestro: former coach Novak joins NIU Hall of Fame

Before we get started here, just a quick question: When is the last time you saw an actual missed field goal in the NFL?

He’s the man:The maestro.The architect.On Saturday, former football coach Joe Novak will be inducted into the NIU Athletic Hall of Fame. Well deserved.Hard to fathom:Novak#146;s 2003 team beat Alabama.Alabama!In Alabama!Setting the tone:How about the 4 goals scored by San Jose#146;s Tomas Hertl the other night, particularly that fourth one?Makes me think we might be seeing something spectacular from one Patrick Kane in the very near future.Maybe in an upcoming shootout?I cannot stop:Humming that Volo Auto Museum ditty.NU thoughts:ŸYeah, it was a packed stadium last Saturday... but it loses some luster when it#146;s packed with so many OSU fans.ŸHow big is Saturday#146;s game against Wisconsin? Big enough to result in either a #147;Hey, maybe we do have something here!#148; or a #147;Oh, well, more of the same old, same old.#148;Lets hope it#146;s not the latter.Man on the move:During NU games, no one racks up more yardage than AD Jim Phillips, what with his continuous ushering of special guests and players onto the field during timeouts.His heart is in the right place, but after the fifth or sixth on-field salute ... it all kinda runs together.Very reluctant kudos:To the Cardinals.That team always seems to get the job done. Having said that, go Dodgers!Cannot get enough of:Those Ron Burgundy commercials.Keep. Them. Coming!Fascinating read:Golf Digest taking us behind the scenes for the USGA#146;s negotiations with FOX and NBC. Fascinating watch:Frontline taking us behind the scenes into the politics of the NFL#146;s brain injury issue.The takeaway from both:Blah blah, blah ... it#146;s all about the money.Price is right:Endless rain delays and getting pummeled by the Americans? No wonder International team captain Nick Price was so cranky during the Presidents Cup.Just how bad was the Cup?So bad that Sports Illustrated published its obit in this week#146;s edition.Sad, but also made me laugh.Do the math:According to my calculations, the miles covered by the Bulls for their weekend in Rio is equal to the miles they will cover traveling to their from their first eight regular season games.That#146;s just the kind of info you won#146;t get from downtown. And to be honest, probably don#146;t want.Wait, what?They#146;re taking away my Dominick#146;s?Ugh.I#146;ll miss you, Aisle 7.Blatant plug:Former Daily Herald sports writer Kent McDill will be signing copies of his new book, #147;100 Things Bulls Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die#148; tonight at 7 p.m. at the Barnes and Noble on Rand Road in Arlington Heights.BTW:Is that the longest title in the history of publishing or what?