{
  "id": 5251625,
  "title": "NIU Huskies will honor late coach Joe Novak with helmet decals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/niu-huskies-will-honor-late-coach-joe-novak-with-helmet-decals",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-03T05:01:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/niu-huskies-honor-coach-joe-050107312.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Northern Illinois University Huskies will honor late coach Joe Novak with helmet decals this fall. The decals feature Novak's initials, dog bones symbolizing \"Boneyard Victories\" when the Huskies defeat Power Conference schools and major independents, and the letters T-H-W for \"The Hard Way.\" Novak led NIU to four MAC West Division championships from 1996-2007, ranking second in the university's history in games coached (139) and third in wins (63). Novak passed away on July 28 of this year. NIU opens its season against Iowa this Saturday afternoon.",
  "summary": "Former head coach Joe Novak will be remembered every time the Northern Illinois University Huskies take the field this fall. NIU has announced its players will have decals on their helmets honoring the memory of the late former coach.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}