WMAA Tournament of Legends 2023

The Wilson Mules Alumni Association is pleased to announce Nick Velez (Wilson 2005) as this year's "Tournament of Legends" honoree.

At Wilson, Nick was a member of the Police Academy, and later, the Law Magnet. Immediately after graduation, Nick enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. In 2006, Corporal Velez deployed with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion 4th Marines (nicknamed the Magnificent Bastards). Following Nick's military enlistment, he founded Bastard's American Canteen (established in 2012), a restaurant and bar located in Downey proudly named after his battalion. Building on the success of his first restaurant, Nick opened his second restaurant in Temecula in 2021.

Despite Nick's success as a restauranteur, in the years subsequent to his military service, he found himself struggling to heal from wounds that often go unseen. Finding inspiration from a song containing the lyrics "save the brave", Nick began to take positive steps towards PTS wellness. In 2015, Nick's concern for his fellow veterans and his new purpose-driven outlook, led him to create "Save the Brave", a nonprofit organization whose essential purpose is to help prevent veteran suicide. Save the Brave provides outreach programs that allow veterans to connect in a safe and comfortable space while they focus on healing their mind, body and spirit.

The Wilson Mules Alumni Association salutes Nick for his service and for his ongoing dedication to support the health and wellbeing of our veterans.