After two years as an NCAA Division I assistant coach, Steve Novacek, was announced as the University of Mary head coach on December 29, 2009, and now enters his third season at the Marauders helm.
An assistant at Summit League champion North Dakota State University in 2009, Novacek (pronounced no VAH check) coached at Winthrop University of the Big South conference in 2008. He previously assisted at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and St. Cloud State University.
“The University of Mary competes in what is arguably the toughest volleyball conference in the nation,” said Marauders athletic director Roger Thomas. “The last four national champions came from the Northern Sun, and the NSIC had at least five teams ranked among the nation’s top 20 last year and several in the top 10.
“Steve has accumulated numerous excellent experiences in his young coaching career and understands the type of competition the Marauders will face on a consistent basis. Not only has he coached at the NCAA Division I level, Steve also has championship experience in our region. He understands this area and knows what it takes to be a top-notch program.”
“I am thrilled to be the University of Mary head volleyball coach and to begin growing the Marauders program,” said Novacek. “I’m excited about the direction U-Mary is heading both academically and athletically as a private college that values education.
“We should be able to improve our volleyball program quickly, compete harder, and hopefully pick up a couple games to move into the middle of the pack. As we begin to bring in recruits to add to our current roster, we’ll hope to compete against the stronger programs in the Northern Sun.
“To get to the championship level we need to be a defensive-based team. We need to improve on our passing, defensive skills and transition. Heading into next fall we hope to be in a position where we will be able to run a faster paced offense and have a balanced attack from all options.”
One of the nation's top programs in the classroom, the Marauders earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award for 2011-12 after posting a team grade point average above 3.30.
Novacek joined North Dakota State prior to the 2009 season. The Bison finished 23-4 overall to win a second straight conference crown with an 18-0 record. NDSU ranked 45th in RPI and its .852 winning percentage was 11th in the nation. He came to NDSU after serving at Winthrop University in 2008.
The Buffalo, MN, native began his coaching career at St. Cloud State as a graduate assistant in 2005-06. Novacek then served as an assistant coach at Minnesota-Duluth in 2007, helping the Bulldogs to a 29-2 record and a runner-up finish in the North Central Region.
A libero for the St. Cloud State men’s volleyball club that placed fifth in the 2006 national tournament, Novacek also made a national tournament appearance with UMD’s club team.
Novacek earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health education from Minnesota-Duluth in 2005. He completed a master’s degree in sport management from St. Cloud State in 2007.
Novacek currently resides in Bismarck with his wife Mariel and their boxer Kirby.
Steve Novacek U-Mary Head Coaching Record
|
Season |
Overall |
Conference |
|
2010-11 |
6-24 |
1-19 |
|
2011-12 |
2-28 |
1-19 |
|
TOTAL |
8-52 |
2-38 |
