Henry Nowak, Canisius basketball star, champion for WNY in Congress, dies at 89

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Henry Nowak, a star player for Canisius College’s golden age of basketball in the 1950s who went on to represent Western New York in the U.S. Congress, has died. He was 89.

Nicknamed “Hammerin’ Hank” for his aggressive play on the court, Nowak led Canisius to three consecutive NCAA tournaments from 1955-57. The Buffalonian scored 1,449 career points, ranking eighth in school history, and remains the program’s all-time leader with 880 rebounds. Named to the NCAA’s Silver Anniversary Team in 1982 and inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1994, Nowak was selected to Canisius’ 100-Year Team and All-Sequential Team in 2019.

“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,” said Bill Maher , vice president and director of athletics for Canisius. “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.”

Nowak is one of two Golden Griffins to play in nine NCAA tournament games, in which he averaged 19.4 points, highlighted by a 20-point performance against No. 2 North Carolina State at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 1956. He received second-team All-East Region recognition from United Press International in 1956, and was honored by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

“Hank Nowak was the best of Buffalo, Canisius nation and Western New York,” said Anthony Masiello, who played basketball for Canisius in the 1960s and later served as Buffalo’s mayor. “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.”

Nowak served as district attorney and Erie County comptroller after graduating from University at Buffalo Law School. Elected to Congress in 1974, Nowak advocated for the development of Buffalo’s waterfront and is credited with bringing nearly $1 billion in federal infrastructure aid to the region as it suffered through the loss of industry, including the closure of Bethlehem Steel in 1983.

“On a day of great change for Democrats, the … community mourns the passing of one of the greatest elected officials we have ever had,” Erie County Democratic Chairman Jeremy Zellner said on X, announcing the death Sunday after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race.

“Congressman Nowak’s legacy lives on through his tireless work in bringing home resources from Washington to help build and shape the community we have today,” Zellner said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.