Black Hills State University Athletics

participated in basketball and baseball at BHSU from 1956-1960. West held a 9-0 record during his first three years at the university as a pitcher in baseball. Scouts for the Valentine (Nebraska) Hearts of the Basin League gave West a contract for the 1958 summer season. As a pitcher in college, West threw a brilliant two-hitter and an eight-hitter, striking out eight and giving up no walks in the Basin League. As a high school senior he pitched Philip to a state championship in an 11-inning game 1-0.