Charles "Pruner" West

In 1922, Dr. Charles Pruner West ’24 became the first African-American quarterback to play in the Rose Bowl. Also a track and field star, he earned the title of a two-time National Collegiate Pentathlon Champion and was named to the 1924 Olympic team, though he did not participate due to injury. West went on to attend medical school at Howard University and led a successful career as a physician in the Washington, D.C. area. In 1978, West was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from W&J.