Jim Corgiat - Class of 2014

(Bessemer)

All U.P. football and basketball player and Class C all-state football player at Bessemer High School, Jim Corgiat ran for more than 1,000 yards in 1956 and 1957 and was also a standout in track and field. Earned 12 varsity letters. He was known for his tapemeasure home runs and participated in the Milwaukee Braves' Silver Sluggers game. Turned down a minor league baseball contract offer to play football for Michigan State University, and averaged 27.5 yards per catch as a sophomore and helped the 1961 team to the best defensive record of allowing only 50 points. Had a tryout as a punter for Green Bay Packers in 1962. Achilles tendon injury short-circuited career. Helped Lansing Rockets win 1962 fastpitch softball ASA state title in 1962 and hit more than 700 career home runs in slowpitch softball for Oakland Merchants and helped Detroit Kennedy Optical win ASA Class C state slowpitch title in 1979.