Hoague began his athletic career while attending The Governor's Academy, the oldest boarding school in the United States.
There, he played five varsity sports and served as the baseball team captain in his senior year.
While at the school he was also awarded the Academy’s most honored prize, the Morse Flag, for earning the highest respect of the faculty.
He was drafted into the United States Navy and was out of football until 1946, when he played one last season with the Boston Yanks.
[4] However, before he left for the Navy, Steagles coach Walt Kiesling placed Hoague in the line-up one last time in a game against the Chicago Bears.