Alumni Success Stories - Athletics
PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER - Isaac Bruce
Isaac Bruce is a former NFL wide receiver. He was drafted by the LA Rams in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft. An All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection, Bruce amassed 15,208 receiving yards in his career (fifth all-time). He played the first 14 years with the Rams and was the leading wide receiver of "The Greatest Show on Turf." With the Rams, he also won a Super Bowl ring (Super Bowl XXXIV). He then spent several years playing for the San Francisco 49ers.
Bruce attended West in the early 1990s and is the second West alumnus to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The first was quarterback Warren Moon.
PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER - Warren Moon
Warren Moon played for the WLAC Oilers in 1974-75 and set school and conference records before transferring to the University of Colorado. He was a star in the Canadian Football League before joining the Houston Oilers where, as quarter back, he become the highest paid player at the time and a 9-time Pro Bowler. Later, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
NFL STAR & BROADCASTER - Keyshawn Johnson
Keyshawn Johnson went from WLAC to USC and became the first pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. He played wide receiver for the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers before becoming a sports broadcaster. (Note: His long-time agent W. Jerome Stanley, a star in his own arena, is also a WLAC alumni).
SPORTS AGENT / ATTORNEY - W. Jerome Stanley
W. Jerome Stanley attended West LA College before graduating from USC. He is now president of Stanley & Associates, a sports law firm headquartered in Los Angeles. A self-starter even during college, where he assisted in client development of college athletes for a national sports representation firm, Stanley worked for the Los Angeles Lakers and other major management firms before founding Stanley & Associates in 1989. He has negotiated contracts and managed careers for such high-profile clients as NBA star Baron Davis, as well as former NFL wide receiver and fellow West LA College alumnus Keyshawn Johnson. In total, Stanley has negotiated over half a billion dollars in contracts. In addition to his sports business endeavors, Stanley also sits as Commissioner on the Los Angeles Board of Recreation and Parks.
NFL DEFENSIVE LINE COACH, Terrell Williams
At West, Terrell Williams was an all-conference defensive lineman. He transferred to East Carolina where he was an all-star nose guard and helped the team defeat Stanford in the Liberty Bowl. His coaching career began with Fort Scott Community College working with the defensive line. From there, he went to North Carolina A&T, Youngstown State and Purdue, each time distinguishing himself and helping the teams advance to new heights. In 2008, Williams was one of only 26 coaches invited to participate in the 2008 NCAA Football Coaches Academy,
After a successful year with Texas A&M, Williams advanced to a position with the NFL's Oakland Raiders. While the Raiders struggled overall, the defensive line performed well under Williams. Oakland ranked eighth in the league in yards allowed per rush, but did have the league’s second-fewest sacks. Miami then recruited Williams to be the Dolphin's defensive line coach.
NFL ASSISTANT COACH, Spencer Phillips
Alumnus Spencer Phillips moved from Oregon to enroll at #WestLACollege with the goal of earning a university football scholarship. During the 2009 - 2010 season he was named WLAC Male Student-Athlete of the year and an all-conference player. He received a football scholarship from Murray State University where he also earned a Bachelor’s Degree. From there, he earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration at Humboldt State. After coaching for high school and college programs, Spencer was invited to join the coaching staff of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and in 2018, he helped the team achieve their first Super Bowl victory. But after four years, Spencer decided that working with kids was his passion. He accepted the Head Football Coach position at Lakeridge High School in Portland which is close to his hometown and family.
About his time at West, Spencer says, “it was one of the best times of my life because I met so many wonderful people who helped make a difference in my life. In particular, Coach Marguet Miller. Without the experience and mentorship I had there, I don't know if I would have been in the position I am today.”
OTHER OUTSTANDING ATHLETICS ALUMNI
Football
Stephen Baker, also known as ‘The Touchdown Maker, spent his five-year pro football career as a New York Giants wide receiver.
Charles Dejurnett’s 12-year career was spent playing for the Chargers and Rams.
Sam Rogers was a second round draft pick out of the University of Colorado and played for the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers and Atlanta Falcons.
Edell Shepherd played for the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texan and the Detroit Lions.
Baseball
Kesley Kondo and Gabriel Asakua pitched for Brazil in the World Baseball Classic in Panama City, Panama. Asakura went on to pitch professionally in California,Alaska and Brazil.