Patak grew up in Pleasanton, California and attended Foothill High School where he played for the school's volleyball team. He was named to the First Team All-East Bay Athletic League three times, earning the title of Most Valuable Player in his senior year. He also played club volleyball for Diablo Valley Volleyball Club.[1]
Following graduation, Patak enrolled at the University of California, Santa Barbara and played for the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. After redshirting in 2003, he went on to play 4 seasons with the Gauchos and was named the 2004 AVCA Newcomer of the Year and a three-time All American.[2] He also led the nation in kills in 2005.[3]
The offseason saw yet another move as Patak joined Austrian-based aon hotVolleys in Fall 2008.[7][8] He played with the team until January 9, 2009 when his contract was mutually terminated due to the club's financial constraints.[9][10][11] He returned to the Greek A1 Ethniki that same month after signing with P.A.O.K. Thessaloniki V.C.[12] He joined Turkish club Halkbank Ankara of the Turkish Men's Volleyball League in Summer of 2009.[13][14] He stayed with the club through early May 2010.[15]
After Greece, Patak joined South Korean V-League club Incheon Korean Air Jumbos. They ended with the best regular season record in the V-League for the 2010–2011 season, but lost in the championship playoffs finals.[16] He returned to Europe to play for Italian club Umbria Volley of the Italian Volleyball League in December 2011.[17][18]
Patak landed in Puerto Rico for the third time in October 2012. He signed for Plataneros de Corozal after Dallas Soonais was lost to a shoulder injury.[19] After a semi-finals loss that ended Plataneros de Corozal's season, Patak joined Spacer's de Toulouse in January 2013.[20] He proved to be a huge catalyst to turn Spacer's season around, making a run in the Coupe de France but ultimately coming in second best.[21] Despite his play, he was not brought back for a second season.[22]
International
Patak has been a member of the full United States men's national volleyball team since 2008. He was initially a member of the U.S. delegation for the World University Games in 2003 and 2007 earning a bronze medal in both trips. Patak was on track to also participate in the 2005 Games, but did not participate due to injury. He also joined for a six-city tour against Japan.