Travis West joined a powerhouse program at Portland State University after winning three state championships at Benson High School in Portland, Oregon. 

He helped the Vikings capture back-to-back NCAA Division II national team championships in 1989 and 1990, capturing an individual title in 1989 and reaching the finals in 1990.

Travis was a member of the United States Greco-Roman team for five years and competed for USA Wrestling in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He also was a silver medalist at the 1991 Olympic Festival and a bronze medalist at the 1992 Pan Am Games.

He assisted Roy Pittman at the Peninsula Wrestling Club for 14 years and was an assistant coach for Portland State for five years.

Travis founded the Northwest Disciples Club in 2000 and for the next 18 years nearly 400 Portland youth were served by the program.

After contracting a liver disorder and receiving two transplants, Travis passed away in 2004 at the age of 37.

His son, Travis West Jr., accepted his Medal of Courage award on October 21, 2023.