Madeo Molinari

Madeo "Moon" Molinari (March 23, 1920 – October 20, 2011) was an American athlete and sports coach. He was best known for his time at Winona State University, where he coached football, baseball, and golf for many years.

A native of Chicago, Molinari graduated from Steinmetz College Prep in 1938 and afterwards played three sports at Ripon College in Wisconsin. An all-conference end and participant in the discus throw and basketball player, Molinari graduated in 1943. He served in World War II, and after being discharged, began coaching multiple sports and serving as athletic director at Sandwich High School in c. 1948, with which he served through 1953.

After a stint at Iron Mountain High School which lasted from 1954 to 1956, Molinari became assistant football coach and head baseball coach at Winona State University. After helping the football team win two consecutive conference championships, he was promoted to head coach in 1958, a position in which he served through 1970. He developed some of the most successful teams in school history, winning three conference championships as head coach before resigning after his 13th season. An inductee into the school's hall of fame in 1989, he lived in retirement in Florida and died in 2011.

Early life and education Molinari was born on March 23, 1920, in Chicago, Illinois, to an Italian family. His father died when he was young and his older brother had to work to support the family. Molinari attended Steinmetz College Prep and track and field teams.

Molinari served in World War II after his time at Ripon, eventually achieving the rank of captain. Molinari was later reassigned to Morris Field in North Carolina. Molinari served in these positions for one year, before leaving in May 1947 to study at Indiana University Bloomington. baseball coach, basketball coach, athletic director, and boys physical education teacher at Sandwich High School. from which he received a master's degree. He also served as athletic director, baseball coach, and golf coach, and in his second season added the role of track coach. After being told by a friend about an opening at Winona State University, he resigned from Iron Mountain in June 1956 to accept the job. "I didn't know anything about it," Molinari later said, "but it turned out to be ... perfect." His baseball teams won three conference championships (two NIC, one Bi-State Conference) over a period of two years, He stopped coaching baseball in order to accept the position. Molinari was also the golf coach at Winona State, having received the position in 1959, and continued serving in the position even after resigning as football coach. and finished with a 66–33–9 record.

Head coaching record College football