West is in his 17th year at the University of Iowa as an Associate Director for Athletic Training, working with the Track and Field, Football, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, and Soccer teams. 

West earned a Bachelor's degree from Coe College in 1992, majoring in Biology, Physical Education, and secondary education. He attended graduate school at Western Michigan and received his Master's degree in physical education -- Athletic Training, in 1994. West received a PhD in athletic administration from the University of Iowa in 2001.  

Before West returned to Iowa in 2004, he worked with Coe College, St. Ambrose University, and Central College as an Assistant Professor and Assistant Athletic Trainer.  At all three institutions West obtained athletic training education accreditation.  During this time, West continued to teach in the University of Iowa’s department of Exercise Science as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Iowa. 

West served as President of the Iowa Athletic Trainers' Society from 2002-2006 and served as past President from 2006-2008. West is past chair of the honors and awards committee and a member of the legislative committee for the Iowa Athletic Trainers' Society. From 2003-2013, he served on the board of directors and chairperson for the Mid-American Athletic Trainers' Association Annual Meeting and Symposium. 

West received the Iowa Athletic Trainers' Society Hall of Honor Award in June of 2015. The Mid-American Athletic Trainers' Association has awarded West the Dr. Denis "Issy" Isrow, Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award, in March 2014 and Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 2015. In 2013, West received the Bump Elliot Appreciation Award from the Iowa Football Program. West was awarded the National Athletic Trainer Association Service Award in 2011 and the Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Year Award in 2012 by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). He was recognized by the University of Northern Iowa in 2005 as recipient of the Athletic Training Service Award, in recognition of "diligent and tireless efforts to improve athletic training education." He was also one of five finalists for Teacher of the Year at St. Ambrose University in 2003. West recently received the National Athletic Trainers' Association Athletic Trainer Service Award for dedicated service and outstanding contribution to the profession of athletic training and the association. 

West is associated with several professional organizations, including the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the Mid-American Athletic Trainers' Association (MAATA), and the Iowa Athletic Trainers' Society (IATS). 

West is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is also certified in Active Release Technique® (Whole Body and Complex Protocols); Graston Technique® and Kinesiotaping Credential 1 & 2; Mulligan Upper and Lower Quarter Certificates; Functional Movement Screen 1 & 2; Spinal Manipulation; and Integrative Dry Needling. 

West and his wife, Michele, reside in Iowa City and have two children, Taylor (22) and Austin (20).