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. One of the most successful coaches in team history, Molinari led them to five conference championships and four second place finishes, eventually resigning after his thirteenth year. An inudctee 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, allowing him to attend Steinmetz College Prep where he was a star athlete. He graduated from Steinmetz in 1938 and afterwards enrolled at Ripon College in Wisconsin. Molinari majored in biology and physical education and played for the school's football, basketball, and track and field teams. It was here where he acquired his lifelong nickname "Moon." Playing end in football, he was an all-conference selection and helped them to two consecutive conference championships, while serving as team captain in his senior year. He also threw discus for the track team and was a member of the graduating class of 1943. Molinari received a bachelor's degree from Ripon. Molinari served in World War II after his time at Ripon, eventually achieving the rank of captain. He served for a time at the Miami Beach OCS, before being sent to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, where he was the Base PT Officer. At Barksdale, he married his