NILES, Mich. (WNDU) – The southwest Michigan high school sports community is mourning the loss of a beloved journalist who was extremely passionate and dedicated to his craft.

Scott Novak, the longtime sports editor at Leader Publications in Niles, has sadly passed away.

“For 42 years, Scott dutifully patrolled the sidelines of gyms and athletic fields across southwest Michigan to provide our communities with award-winning coverage,” Leader Publications said in a Facebook post announcing his passing. “His presence and kind smile will be deeply missed. We offer our deepest condolences to his family and all those who loved him.”

Scott’s colleagues tell us he was an icon who was known by everyone. He’s a member of the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) Hall of Honor and won numerous Michigan Press Association Awards.

They also tell us it was important to him to make sure that every athlete in the area, at least once in their career, was mentioned or pictured in the newspaper — a mantra he lived by and passed onto others.

All of us here at WNDU 16 News Now are saddened to hear of Scott’s passing. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.

Funeral arrangements are still pending.

Full statement from Leader Publications regarding Scott’s passing:

Copyright 2024 WNDU. All rights reserved.