He competed for the United States in the 1928 Summer Olympics held in Amsterdam in the discus throw, winning the bronze medal.

He earned his bachelor's degree from the College of the Pacific—now known as University of Pacific—in Stockton, California, where he was a tackle on the Pacific Tigers football team.

He turned to the College of the Pacific in 1929 as varsity track coach and assistant dean of men.

[2] Corson received a master's degree from the University of Southern California (USC) and was the recipient of an honorary doctorate from his alma mater.

Corson coached the football team at Stockton Junior College—now known as San Joaquin Delta College—in 1937.