Pete Velasco is considered the best foil fencer in UI history with a three-year dual meet record of 184-16 (.920). As a sophomore in 1954, he was 64-8, finishing as the Big Ten champion and finishing in third place at the NCAA Championships. In 1955, he went 67-3, winning his second Big Ten title and was the NCAA foil champion. In 1956, Velasco finished 53-4, winning a third Big Ten championship and finishing second at the NCAA Championships. He joined with Art Schankin (sabre) and Larry Kaufman (epee) to lead Illinois to its first-ever NCAA Fencing Championship in 1956. Velasco was the team MVP in 1955 and 1956, while serving as captain of the championship squad of 1956. He was a member of the 1956 and 1960 U.S. Olympic teams, the first UI fencer to be so honored. He also was named to the 1957 U.S. World Championship team. A 1956 ROTC graduate at Illinois, Velasco went directly into the U.S. Army, where he served for 30 years in active duty and active reserve, retiring in 1987 as a full colonel.