Travis Shives of Bloomington, Minn. has been hired as the new National Events Assistant for USA Wrestling, the national governing body for amateur wrestling in the United States.    Shives joins USA Wrestling from the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League, after almost two years of assignments in team operations and public relations. He will work with National Events Director Pete Isais in all aspects of the USA Wrestling national events, including organization, operations and promotions.    "I believe Travis makes a great addition to USA Wrestling's national staff," said Isais. "He brings tremendous knowledge of the sport with him, as well as a strong education with a Master's degree. His experience in athletics, in both amateur wrestling and professional football, gives him the ability to step right in and help USA Wrestling immensely."    Shives served as the Public Relations Intern and Public Affairs Assistant with the Vikings from August 2002 through July 2003. He assisted with media relations activities, statistics, video research, press releases and event program writing and other public relations activities. He also assisted the Vikings' Public Affairs and Stadium Consultant in his duties.    He also served a year as the Team Operations Intern for the Vikings, handling a number of training camp operations duties as well as free agent travel duties.     Shives has a strong wrestling background. He was a Div. II All-American at Minnesota State-Mankato in 1999, and made the Academic All-American team three times (1997-1999). He was named Minnesota State-Mankato Male Student Athlete of the Year.    He also worked almost two years as an assistant wrestling coach at Minnesota State-Mankato. During his tenure, he helped tutor seven NCAA All-Americans, including a national champion. In addition to his coaching duties, he worked as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Speech Communications.    Shives received a bachelor's of science degree in Marketing from Minnesota-State Mankato in 1999, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He received minors in management and business administration. He also is completing his Master's of Science in Speech Communications. He is originally from Bloomington, Minn., where he competed for Bloomington Jefferson High School and was a three-time state medalist.    "I'm thrilled to have the chance to get back into the sport of wrestling," said Shives. "I have a passion for wrestling. This is a great opportunity for me to learn from a tremendous organization and have an impact on the sport."