Charles Fremont "Pruner" West (January 25, 1899 – November 20, 1979) was an American track athlete, college football player and coach, and physician.

[1] West served as the head football coach at Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1928 and again from 1934 to 1935, compiling a record of 12–7–2.

[2] In 1920, he entered Washington & Jefferson College, where he played football and threw javelin for the track and field team.

[2] That January, he became the first African American quarterback to play in the Rose Bowl and led his team to a hard-fought, scoreless tie against the California Golden Bears.

"[2] Following the 13–0 victory, Pruner visited a Wheeling drug store that displayed a sambo-type doll with the tag "West" in an ambulance.

"[2] Washington & Lee balked and went home with their "guarantee" and a 1–0 forfeit loss amid catcalls and a "near riot" at the train station.

[2] Pruner missed the first half of the November 4, 1922 game against Lafayette at the Polo Grounds with his arm taped to his side.

[9] In 2011, his role in the advancement of African Americans in collegiate sports was recognized in a joint W&J/West Virginia University ceremony at the U.