5 Super Athletes With Ties To Novato

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Novato area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Mike Moroski (Football)

Novato native Mike Moroski had a storied football career that began as a standout quarterback at UC Davis, where he earned Far West Conference Player of the Year honors in 1977 and 1978. Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 1979, Moroski played eight seasons in the NFL, including stints with the Houston Oilers and San Francisco 49ers, before transitioning to coaching. At UC Davis, he became an acclaimed offensive coordinator, leading teams to multiple Division II postseason appearances. Now head coach at the College of Idaho, he has achieved significant milestones, including leading his team to a Frontier Conference title and national playoff appearances.

2. Sue Corder (Basketball)

Sue Corder excelled in basketball, volleyball and softball at Novato High before becoming a star guard for the University of San Francisco women’s basketball team. Known for her scoring ability and versatility, she recorded over 1,600 points in high school and added 1,451 points during her college career. Corder achieved numerous accolades, including the USF "Rock Award" as a freshman and All-Tournament selections in her first three seasons, and was inducted into the USF Hall of Fame in 2004.

3. John Kostecki (Sailing)

John Kostecki is a decorated sailor with 10 World Championships to his name, including victories in the Soling and J/24 classes. A two-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, the Novato High alum helmed the Ilbruck yacht to a monohull speed record and an overall win in the 2001–02 Volvo Ocean Race. He also played key roles in America’s Cup campaigns with BMW Oracle Racing, including the 2010 victory that brought the Cup back to the U.S.

4. Ellen Estes Lee (Water Polo)

Ellen Estes Lee emerged as a water polo star at Marin Water Polo Club and Novato High before excelling at Stanford, where she earned MPSF Player of the Year honors and led her team to the 2002 NCAA Championship. On the U.S. Women’s National Team, she won silver at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics, as women’s water polo debuted on the Olympic stage. Estes Lee’s contributions have also extended to coaching, board leadership with USA Water Polo and advocacy as an athlete representative for the U.S. Olympic Committee.

5. Bud Norris (Baseball)

A graduate of San Marin High School in Novato, Bud Norris made an immediate splash in the MLB after debuting with the Houston Astros in 2009. In his first major league start, he threw seven scoreless innings against the St. Louis Cardinals, showcasing his talent with a near no-hitter. Over his career, Norris became a dependable pitcher with stints on several teams, including the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Angels.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.