Join us for a powerful look at a remarkable chapter of Texas sports history.
Victoria College will host a free screening of The PVIL Story documentary as part of the college’s Lyceum Lecture Series on Tuesday, April 7, at 6 p.m. at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts. A free reception featuring light refreshments will be held before the screening from 5 and 6 p.m.
For nearly 50 years, Texas had two high school football leagues—one for white schools and one for Black schools. Established in 1920 after Black schools were excluded from the University Interscholastic League, the Prairie View Interscholastic League (PVIL) grew to include nearly 500 schools across the state.
Despite limited resources, PVIL programs produced extraordinary talent and helped shape generations of athletes. Six PVIL alumni went on to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and many others became pioneers in the sport—including Eldridge Dickey, the first Black quarterback drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft in 1967.
The documentary features interviews with football legends including Warren Moon, Joe Greene, and Jimmy Johnson, along with powerful stories from those who experienced the league firsthand.
Directed by Mark Burns and produced by Rob Lynch, The PVIL Story restores a chapter of football history that deserves recognition.
Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with Lynch and other contributors to the film, offering deeper insight into the legacy of the PVIL and the making of the documentary.