PIONEER – VOLLEYBALL

Pedro “Pete” Velasco, Jr. is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and a resident of Papakolea. From very humble beginnings, Velasco, a gifted athlete, trained hard to make a name for himself as a teacher, coach and player.

In 1964, he not only made the U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team, but was elected captain. His election to captain was a great honor since this was the first year volleyball was recognized as an Olympic sport.

He returned to the Olympics in 1968. In 1970, the United States Volleyball Association (USVBA) voted Velasco as one of the “All-Time Great Volleyball Players,” after being named to the USVBA All-American Team 12 times. In 1992, Velasco was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame.

BORN 1937