Canisius Mourns the Passing of Henry Nowak ’57

The Canisius athletic department and the University's men's basketball program mourn the passing of Hall of Fame great Hon. Henry "Hank" Nowak '57. Nowak passed away July 21 at his home in Florida at the age of 89.

"Henry was not only one of the greatest players in the 120-year history of our men's basketball program, he personified the Jesuit ideal of being men and women for others," Canisius Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Maher said. "His incredible on-court accomplishments here at Canisius pale in comparison to his lifetime of service and commitment to the people of Western New York."

"The name Henry Nowak looms very large in that pantheon of all-time great Canisians," Canisius President Emeritus John J. Hurley said. "He led Canisius teams in that golden era of Golden Griffin basketball and then went on to a distinguished career in local and federal government. As a trustee and Congressman, he was a source of wisdom, perspective and assistance to Canisius presidents, myself included. We will dearly miss this loyal son of alma mater and outstanding American."

"Hank Nowak was the best of Buffalo, Canisius nation and Western New York," Hon. Anthony M. Masiello '69, HON '96 said. "He loved and cherished his wife, Rose, children Henry Jr., Diane and his many grandchildren. As a Canisius College basketball player, he had no peers. Statistically and win-loss record, no Griff who wore the Blue and Gold accomplished what he did for his beloved alma mater. He was 'the best Griff ever'. Henry was also an exemplary public official whose career was one of distinction, integrity and significant accomplishment. I will miss my great friend."

Known as "Hammerin' Hank" for his tough and aggressive style of play on the court, Nowak was the leading force behind the Griffs' three-straight NCAA Tournament appearance from 1955-57. A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Nowak scored 1,449 career points and grabbed 880 career rebounds during his time in Blue and Gold, which still ranks first in the school's record book. A three-year letterwinner at Canisius, he currently ranks eighth in career points, second in career free-throw makes (557) and second in career rebounding average (11.3 per game). He is one of two players in Canisius program history to play in a record nine NCAA Tournament games, where he averaged 19.4 points per game, highlighted by his 20-point performance in the Griffs' famous four-overtime win over No. 2 North Carolina State at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 1956.

A Second-Team UPI All-East Region honoree following the 1955-56 season, Nowak was a two-time Queen City Invitational All-Tournament award winner. He was named the tournament's MVP in 1956-57 when the Griffs beat Cornell and Minnesota to win the event's championship. Inducted into the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame in 1968, Nowak was voted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. A member of the Canisius Men's Basketball 100-Year Team and the school's All-Sequential Team in 2019-20, Nowak was honored by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. The NCAA also honored him in 1982, when he was named to the NCAA's Silver Anniversary Team.

After graduation from the University at Buffalo Law School, Nowak served as an assistant district attorney and as Erie County Comptroller from 1966-74. In 1974, he was elected to Congress, where he represented Western New York for 18 years and served on several key committees. As a congressman, his achievements include obtaining federal aid for a wide range of important projects that have proved beneficial to the people of Western New York.

Funeral arrangements will be posted when made available.

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