Prairie View Interscholastic League

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The Prairie View Interscholastic League (PVIL) was the group that ran academic and athletic events for African-American high schools in Texas during much of the 20th century. It worked much like the UIL but served black schools. PVIL began as the Texas Interscholastic League of Colored Schools (TILCS) in 1920 and became the Prairie View Interscholastic League in 1923 when it came under Prairie View A&M College. By 1927 about 300 schools were part of PVIL.

PVIL offered sports and also events like extemporaneous speaking, declamation, and music. In football, Yates High School coach Pat Patterson helped start the PVIL football league in 1939. It began with 21 urban schools and grew to include conferences based on school size: 1A and 2A by 1948, 3A by 1952, and 4A by 1960.

In 1964, talks began about allowing black Texas high schools to join the UIL. PVIL started merging with the UIL, and urban PVIL football seasons ended in 1966. All sports moved to the UIL by spring 1970, and PVIL disbanded that year. The PVIL Coaches Association formed later to preserve the league’s history. PVIL memorabilia is displayed at a University of Texas community center. In 1992 the Houston Chronicle named a team of all-time PVIL football players, and several PVIL alumni went on to professional football, including some who reached the Pro Football Hall of Fame.