The PVILCA ( Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association) held its annual Hall of Honor, and Hall of Fame Induction Banquet recently. It was indeed another grand affair that was attended by approximately one thousand guests. It was held at the beautiful Marriott Hotel South Hobby.
The PVILCA’s goal is to preserve the PVIL Legacy, remember the past and to keep its history alive. On display at the banquet was a collection of artifacts, photographs, documents, records, and memorabilia from some of the Legends of the past.
“Remembering the Past with Pride” was the theme.
The selection committee did just that by honoring legends from the past, as well as the present. Some of the honorees were the Late Ernie Holmes of the famed Steel Curtain Defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers, former Kashmere High greats Jacob Green, who played professionally for the Seattle Seahawks and Harvey Armstrong, who played for Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts. Also inducted was former Houston Smiley High School star and Houston Oiler great Carl Roaches.
Coaches that were honored are eight-time 5A State Champion Boys Track coach Lloyd Banks of Fort Bend Marshall High School, and two-time 6A – State Champion Boys Track Coach Ramon Smith of Klein Forest.
Bertha Dinkins Hightower and her husband Hollis Hightower and Sheryl George Jones
Bertha Dinkins, Eric Ford and his mother Mary Bernicell Ford
Carl Davidson and Brittnee Jones
Attendees Sissy Wade and Sheryl George Jones
Inductee Harvey Armstrong and family
Inductee Burl “The Coach” Jones pictured with classmate and Grammy Award-winning gospel singer, Yolanda Adams
Hall of Inductees in line waiting to be Inducted.
More than One- thousand attendees attended the Banquet.
Cydryce “Cyd” Carter-McMillan, a 3-sport star at Dobie High School in Houston,TX and 4-time State Champion Volleyball Coach was also honored. Jason Todd of South Oak Cliff High School, Back to Back State 5A champions in Football and Reginald Samples, Duncanville 6A State Champions in Football were also honored.
Also, yours truly, Burl “The Coach” Jones, a Sterling grad, was also inducted. He had successful coaching stops at Wheatley, Sterling and Yates. Jones helped lead Yates to 10 straight District Championships in Football and 15 Straight playoff appearances. He also led his Girls Golf team to 5 straight appearances in the Regional tournament. Jones coached 5 former NFL players.
Some of the PVIL Legends of the past that were honored were, Jennifer Bell, former Kashmere Ram track star; Charles “Choo Choo” Johnson of Galveston Central High School; Booker T. Washington great Larry “Chappy” Foster; and Galveston Ball and TSU great Michael “Rookie” Holmes.
Former TSU Athletic Director and Head Coach Rod Paige received a Meritorious award. Thanks to the Houston Texans Foundation for their support and attendance.
PVILCA Chairman Robert Brown, the Board of Directors, and Management Staff Officers do an amazing job of hosting this event every year. Coach Brown stated “the board strives to keep the PVIL history alive; the buildings are gone but the memories linger on,” and he encourages the youth of today to remember their history with PRIDE and whose shoulders they stand on.
I just Tell It Like It Is !!