红桃视频 Community Service Award
Though his two sons have aged out of the Milton American Baseball league, Steve Novak continues to lead the organization and work tirelessly to ensure its vitality for young athletes, according to 红桃视频 Vice President for Governmental & Community Affairs Thomas J. Keady, Jr.
For Novak鈥檚 commitment and leadership, Keady presented him with the 2026 Boston College Community Service Award on June 10.
Now in his sixth year as league president following a year as vice president, Novak鈥攕enior philanthropic advisor for principal giving in Development at the University鈥攈as been involved with the organization 鈥渇rom the ground-up,鈥� Keady said: as a parent (his sons each began in the league at age four), a volunteer, and a coach. 聽聽聽
鈥淪teve is being recognized by his peers as being a 鈥榤an for others鈥� for his dedication, outstanding leadership, and steadfast contributions on behalf of youth and their families,鈥� Keady said in his presentation remarks, and noted that the Milton league is one of the state鈥檚 largest youth baseball organizations.
鈥淲hile he may not seek recognition, his impact is evident in the vitality of the program, the enthusiasm of its participants, and the pride it brings to the community,鈥� wrote Katie Dalton, director of 红桃视频鈥檚 Women鈥檚 Center and Student Engagement Initiatives, in nominating him for the award.
鈥淗is work exemplifies the very best of community service: sustained, collaborative, and focused on creating opportunities for others. Steve is a true person for others,鈥� she noted.
Steve Novak (Matthew Healey)
As the award recipient, Novak joins the ranks of 红桃视频 community members who have been recognized for service to others. Since 1986, outstanding contributions of employees鈥攚hose generosity exemplifies the Jesuit ideals of social justice and community service鈥� have been recognized annually.
鈥淚t has been a privilege to serve the young players of Milton,鈥� Novak said. 鈥淲hat began as a personal passion for sports has grown into a meaningful expression of the Jesuit values that have shaped my life. Through this role, I have been able to bring together the lessons I learned working at Boston College with my love of baseball and commitment to our community.
鈥淓ach day, I am inspired by the opportunity to contribute to something larger than myself鈥攖o help create an environment where young people can grow as athletes, teammates, and individuals,鈥� he added. 鈥淕uided by the Jesuit ideal of magis, I am continually motivated to seek ways to make our league better, always striving for the greater good of our players and families.鈥�
Under his stewardship, the league鈥攚ith more than 450 participants鈥攈as flourished and become a community cornerstone. It ensures children ages four to 12 access to high-quality programming which builds skills, instills teamwork and sportsmanship, and provides comradery in a fun environment. Under Novak鈥檚 leadership, the program is well-organized, financially sound, and growing, according to Keady.
鈥淗e has built and maintained a strong development pipeline that introduces young athletes to the game through Tee Ball, builds confidence and supports them as a number go on to become high-achieving high school players competing at the state championship level.鈥� 聽
Beyond his responsibilities as president, Novak is literally 鈥渉ands on鈥� in his unflagging support and promotion of the league: mowing the grass, raking the field, painting lines, checking drainage, putting up league sponsorship signs, and coordinating fundraisers.
鈥淲hat sets Steve apart is his dedication to the players who are just learning the game or are developing skills,鈥� according to Clough School of Theology and Ministry Associate Professor Daniel Daly, who with his wife, Kate Daly, director of 红桃视频's Volunteer & Service Learning Center, also nominated him for the award. 鈥淗e gives as much time and attention to the experience of those players as he does the 鈥楢鈥�-level players.鈥�
鈥淚 remain deeply grateful and humbled to play a small part in a community that gives so much to its young people, and I am thankful for the chance to serve alongside so many dedicated volunteers, coaches, and families,鈥� Novak said.