Nicholas John Musty Sr. (December 5, 1906 – November 17, 1996) was an American athlete and sports coach.

Early life and education

Musty was born on December 5, 1906, in

Bellechester, Minnesota Bellechester is a city in Goodhue and Wabasha counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 175 at the 2010 census. Most of Bellchester is in Goodhue County, with only a small part extending into Wabasha County. History Belle ...

, and attended Red Wing High School. After graduating in 1925, Musty enrolled at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, where he played

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...

, baseball, and basketball. His position in football was end; his position in baseball was third baseman; and in basketball he played as a

guard Guard or guards may refer to: Professional occupations * Bodyguard, who protects an individual from personal assault * Crossing guard, who stops traffic so pedestrians can cross the street * Lifeguard, who rescues people from drowning * Prison ...

and center. As a junior, Musty was named team captain in both basketball and baseball. He was described as a "sturdy running guard" and "one of the best ball handlers on the squad." An article from '' The Minneapolis Star'' called Musty "one of the best football ends ever turned out at St. Mary's."

Coaching career

After graduating from Saint Mary's in 1929, Musty accepted a position as assistant football coach, head basketball coach, and director of intramural sports at the school. In 1932, he was promoted to head football coach for the 1933 season. He was the youngest head coach in the conference, being only 26 in his first year. After compiling a 3–3–1 football record in 1933, Musty resigned to study medicine at Saint Mary's. While studying at Saint Mary's in 1934, Musty accepted a position as assistant football coach at the

University of St. Thomas St. Thomas University or University of St. Thomas may refer to: *Saint Thomas Aquinas University, Colombia *Saint Thomas Aquinas University of the North, Tucumán province, Argentina *St. Thomas University (Canada), Fredericton, New Brunswick *St. ...

. In 1936, Musty was appointed head football coach at

St. Thomas Military Academy Saint Thomas Academy (abbr. STA), originally known as St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary and formerly known as St. Thomas Military Academy, is the only all-male, Catholic, college-preparatory, military high school in Minnesota. It is located in Mendota ...

. After one year at the military academy, Musty was named athletic director, head football coach and head basketball coach at the University of St. Thomas. St. Thomas compiled a 2–3–2 record in their first year under Musty. In his third season as football coach, 1939, Musty led St. Thomas to the conference championship with a 6–1–1 record. Following the 1940 season, he resigned to enter the medical profession. He was succeeded by

Frank Deig Francis John Deig (September 20, 1909 – October 29, 1960) was an American athlete and sports coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of St. Thomas from 1946 to 1957, the head basketball coach at St. Thomas from 1940 to 1946 ...

as basketball coach and athletic director. Willie Walsh succeeded him as football coach.

Later life and death

Musty later practiced medicine in Minneapolis for many years, retiring in 1972. Musty served as a flight surgeon in World War II and was awarded the

Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Wh ...

. In 1995, Musty was inducted into the St. Thomas Athletic Hall of Fame. Musty died on November 17, 1996, at the age of 89.

Head coaching record

College football

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Musty, Nic 1906 births 1996 deaths Baseball players from Minnesota Players of American football from Minnesota Basketball players from Minnesota American football ends Baseball third basemen Saint Mary's Cardinals men's basketball players Saint Mary's Redmen football players Saint Mary's Cardinals baseball players Saint Mary's Redmen football coaches Saint Mary's Cardinals men's basketball coaches St. Thomas (Minnesota) Tommies football coaches St. Thomas (Minnesota) Tommies men's basketball coaches