HIGH SCHOOL
• Lettered for coach Mike Napoleon at New Trier High School in north shore suburbs of Chicagoland
• Three-year varsity starter for New Trier, playing shortstop while leading his team to a 33-4 record as a senior
• Central Suburban South Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a senior
• New Trier reeled off a 30-game win streak and won the conference with a 16-0 record in 2024
• Also helped lead New Trier to a 30-win season and third-place showing in the IHSA Class 4A state tournament as a junior
• Batted .395 as a sophomore on varsity
• Also played travel ball for Top Tier North
PERSONAL
• Major: Finance
• Full name is James Donald Novakovic
• Born in Rockville, Maryland
• Parents are Kristian and Jennifer Novakovic
• Family also includes younger brother Ryan
• Uncle Eric Taylor is a Purdue alumnus
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: Green Bay Packers
Traditionally Roots Against: Chicago Bears
Favorite Athlete: Aaron Rodgers
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Kris Novakovic, Father
Favorite Marquee Event: Super Bowl
Favorite Field He’s Played at (Besides Alexander): Chicago's Rate Field
Toughest Pitcher for Him to Face Among Teammates: Barron Sawyer
Current MLB Pitcher He’d Like to Face: Clayton Kershaw
Funniest Teammate: Breck Nowik
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Lance Lauve
Purdue Staff Member He’s Enjoys Strongest Connection With: Barrett Serrato
In His Favorite Playlist: Foster the People
Would Love to See Them Play Purdue: Coldplay
Favorite Month: November
Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Breakfast
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Golf
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Golf
Favorite Big City: Chicago
Country He’d Like to Visit: Italy
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Barron Sawyer as a Puppy Dog
• Lettered for coach Mike Napoleon at New Trier High School in north shore suburbs of Chicagoland
• Three-year varsity starter for New Trier, playing shortstop while leading his team to a 33-4 record as a senior
• Central Suburban South Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a senior
• New Trier reeled off a 30-game win streak and won the conference with a 16-0 record in 2024
• Also helped lead New Trier to a 30-win season and third-place showing in the IHSA Class 4A state tournament as a junior
• Batted .395 as a sophomore on varsity
• Also played travel ball for Top Tier North
PERSONAL
• Major: Finance
• Full name is James Donald Novakovic
• Born in Rockville, Maryland
• Parents are Kristian and Jennifer Novakovic
• Family also includes younger brother Ryan
• Uncle Eric Taylor is a Purdue alumnus
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: Green Bay Packers
Traditionally Roots Against: Chicago Bears
Favorite Athlete: Aaron Rodgers
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Kris Novakovic, Father
Favorite Marquee Event: Super Bowl
Favorite Field He’s Played at (Besides Alexander): Chicago's Rate Field
Toughest Pitcher for Him to Face Among Teammates: Barron Sawyer
Current MLB Pitcher He’d Like to Face: Clayton Kershaw
Funniest Teammate: Breck Nowik
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Lance Lauve
Purdue Staff Member He’s Enjoys Strongest Connection With: Barrett Serrato
In His Favorite Playlist: Foster the People
Would Love to See Them Play Purdue: Coldplay
Favorite Month: November
Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Breakfast
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Golf
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Golf
Favorite Big City: Chicago
Country He’d Like to Visit: Italy
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Barron Sawyer as a Puppy Dog