Hal Spooner quarterbacked Navy's 1960 football squad to a 9-1 regular season record, a 4th-place ranking in the AP Poll, and a trip to the Orange Bowl. After that season, he was named an All-East Selection and an Honorable Mention All-American. In 1961, he served as the quarterback coach of Navy's Plebe Team, which featured eventual Heisman Trophy winner and future Hall of Famer Roger Staubach at quarterback. An all-around athlete, Spooner played three sports at Williamsport High School, participating in football, basketball, and track, while also playing baseball in the Williamsport area.