Hall of Fame
Nicknamed “Moose” by a sportswriter for the way he bowled over opposing defenses, Leino Corgnati was respected both on and off the playing field. Raised in Christopher, Ill., he had an “average” high school athletic career on the gridiron and basketball court. His career at Monmouth was anything but average.
The Peoria Journal-Transcript newspaper awarded Corgnati its Most Valuable Player honor in 1931, citing his play in a 19-12 win over Knox College that capped a 9-0-1 season and a share of the Little Nineteen Conference championship.
Corgnati also loved baseball, as shown by his record 33 consecutive stolen bases and a three-year varsity career in which he was never struck out by an opposing pitcher. His cumulative batting average for those three years was .447.
After service in the Navy, Corgnati was a highly successful businessman, teacher and coach in the Monmouth area.
