H. Lester Hooker, a native of Stuart, at that time was the standout captain twice at Richmond’s Thomas Jefferson High and only player in school history to be a starter in three sports. He moved on to star for W&M for four years in basketball and baseball. He was the baseball captain and top hitter his senior year and was charged with only three errors in three years as an infielder.
Before starting his college-coaching career in basketball and baseball, which included stints at W&M and Richmond, Hooker served his apprenticeship with distinction at the high school level at Smithfield, George Washington of Danville and Hopewell.
A graduate of William and Mary, Hooker had a college basketball coaching record of 156-137, and it was during this era when players like Warren Mills, Walt Lysaght and Edmund Harrison were Spiders that Hooker was regarded by many as Mr. Basketball in the state.
During his tenure as William & Mary athletic director, Hooker added soccer, fencing, lacrosse, gymnastics and wrestling, and the expansion led to William & Mary winning the Commissioners Cup several times while the school was still in the Southern Conference.