WHERE
CHAMPIONS
ARE BULT
Born to Compete
Athletics at Prairie View A&M University officially began in 1907, when Principal E.B. Blackshear established an organized program to guide competition across campus. Football had already taken the field as early as 1904, but '07 marked the true foundation of Panther Athletics. From those first steps, PVAMU quickly rose to prominence in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, setting a fierce tone that would shape its legacy. What started with football has since grown into 14 Division I sports.
Prairie View A&M didn’t just join the Southwestern Athletic Conference, it helped create it. In 1920, PVAMU stood among the five original charter members that launched what would become the premier stage for HBCU athletics. The conference currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Championships are nothing to gloss over: PVAMU has collected dozens of SWAC titles across sports, from baseball, basketball, golf, bowling, track & field, to football. The most decorated program? Men's Track & Field, with 30+ combined indoor and outdoor SWAC titles, plus national championships in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and beyond.
Now that you know how it all began, lock in for more history and a play-by-play on all the outstanding sports that make up PVAMU Athletics. You are about to experience a story of greatness: The making of a PVAMU athlete.
Origin Story:
the Golden Era
Soon after athletics at Prairie View A&M took root, Henry B. “HB” Hucles Jr. emerged as one of its first great builders. In the 1920s, he coached football, baseball, and basketball, bringing structure, discipline, and (most importantly) credibility to a young department still finding its way. The story of PVAMU Athletics is impossible to tell without his leadership, which carried the program from its early days into the powerhouse era that followed.
Enter, Billy Nicks, a former Morris Brown College player who became Prairie View A&M’s first truly transformative coach. Taking the helm in 1945, Nicks built the Panthers into a national force, stacking up SWAC titles and Black College National Championships through the 1950s and ’60s. His 1963 and 1964 squads raised the bar. That grit, vision, and discipline you witness at every game? The pride that carries far beyond the field? All of that is inspired by Nicks’ era, and remains the benchmark for PVAMU excellence.
The Longest Losing Streak and the Comeback
From 1989 to 1998, PVAMU football endured an 80-game losing streak, the longest in NCAA history. How did we get there? There were many factors.
The Panthers were stripped of scholarships and resources after financial sanctions. With little money for facilities or recruiting, attracting top athletes became nearly impossible. That forced the organization to compete with SWAC teams that had way more support and resources. Meanwhile, coaching changes and fighting the stigma of being a "losing team" deepened the drought. When the skid finally ended in 1998, the win symbolized more than a score; it marked survival and the start of rebuilding.
In 2009, the Panthers clinched the SWAC Championship, establishing a powerful return to form.
Huddle Up: Tremaine Jackson Takes the Helm
Where Billy Nicks laid down a foundation of dominance over decades, Coach Tremaine Jackson is showing how fast power can arrive when you lean in.
In January 2025, PVAMU introduced Jackson as head football coach. His message? Prairie View A&M is done playing small.
Coach Jackson has already made his presence known at Prairie View A&M. His debut was unforgettable: a 22–21 Labor Day Classic win over Texas Southern, sealed with a last-second touchdown on his birthday. He even left the field with a handful of grass, a symbol of claiming new ground.
Jackson comes to PVAMU with a winning record and a national championship run behind him, and he’s wasted no time bringing in fresh talent. More than 70 new players joined the program in his first months. That dramatic shift is underscored by a bold statement on discipline and accountability.
Baseball: Momentum on the Mound
Prairie View A&M Athletics welcomed Daniel Dulin as the new head coach of Panthers baseball, signaling a fresh start for the program.
PVAMU baseball has its own proud chapter of history, defined by SWAC Championships in 2006, 2007, and 2012 and the rise of standout players who earned national recognition and Hall of Fame honors. Along the way, rivalries with Texas Southern, Southern, and Grambling have fueled some of the program’s most memorable moments. From those battles to the modern stage of the Cactus Jack HBCU Classic, Panthers baseball remains a source of pride and promise, now swinging forward under new leadership.
Softball: Dominance on the Diamond
Prairie View A&M’s Lady Panthers softball staked their claim to victory in 2025, dominating the SWAC Western Division with one of the best records in program history. Behind strong leadership from Coach Vernon Bland, '91, the team combined lockdown pitching with clutch hitting, powering through the postseason to claim a conference crown, a win that put the league on notice; PV Softball is standing on business. The 2025 title adds to a proud legacy that includes SWAC Tournament Championships in 1998, 2018, and back-to-back wins in 2022 and 2023.
Bowling: Owning the Lanes
PVAMU’s bowling team captured its seventh SWAC championship in 2025. The championship was set up and delivered by players like Caroline Lewis (pictured here), who has been on the lanes since the age of four. This lifelong dedication and experience reflect the heart of a program built on commitment and grit.
Under new head coach Tiffany Clark, the Lady Panthers have embraced a bold strategy, rallying around what she proudly calls her “Fab 5.” Coach sees the smaller roster as a strength, highlighting a tighter bond, more accountability, and a clear understanding that each one of them has to step up and contribute in a big way. "Winning the SWAC Championship last season was a defining moment", she said. "The team went in as the #5 seed, and didn’t just win; they went undefeated through the tournament and completely swept the field on our way to bringing the title back to The Hill".
Track & Field: Fast and Furious
PVAMU’s track and field program runs on two engines: Chris Clay, B.S. '01, M.S. '03, leading the women’s team and Eric Dixon guiding the men. Together, they oversee one of Prairie View’s proudest traditions, a program that has produced more championships than any other sport on campus. From sprints and hurdles to jumps and relays, Panthers continue to earn All-SWAC honors and qualify for national competition, carrying on a legacy of dominance. Track and field isn’t just another sport at PVAMU; it’s a cornerstone of athletic excellence and a steady source of Panther pride.
Cross Country: Going the Distance
Prairie View A&M Cross Country has carved out its own place in Panther athletics, proving distance running belongs in the spotlight. The men’s team earned a runner-up finish at the 2024 SWAC Championships, with multiple athletes collecting All-SWAC honors and advancing to NCAA regional competition. On the women’s side, steady improvement continues to build depth and consistency for the future. Cross Country may not always command the same attention as the track, but its athletes carry the same discipline, endurance, and pride that define PVAMU’s tradition of excellence.
Men's Basketball: Full Court Press
The Prairie View A&M men’s basketball team closed the 2024–25 season with grit and flashes of growth under head coach Byron Smith, taking on one of the toughest schedules in the country.
A proud program with a history that includes SWAC championships and NCAA Tournament appearances, the Panthers are rebuilding with hunger and heart. Powered by battle-tested returners and a renewed drive, PVAMU is primed for a resurgence in 2025–26. Fans won’t want to miss what’s coming next on the hardwood.
Women’s Basketball: Hard In the Paint
Prairie View A&M Women’s Basketball is stepping into a bold new era under Tai Dillard, a Texas native, former WNBA guard, and standout at the University of Texas who helped lead the Longhorns to the 2003 Final Four. Her coaching career includes building competitive rosters at the University of Houston and mentoring athletes who earned conference honors and postseason berths. With a proven recruiter’s eye and a culture of high energy and accountability, Dillard represents a new standard built on promise, potential, and the belief that titles are within reach.
With six NCAA Tournament appearances between 2007 and 2014 already etched in program history, the path back to national prominence is one she’s ready to lead.
Golf : Driving Excellence
Golf at Prairie View A&M doesn’t whisper; it speaks loudest when it matters most. The program made its mark in 2019 with a standout run at the HBCU Hall of Fame Tournament, where Panthers golfers dominated the leaderboard and showed the conference what was possible. Not long after, Prairie View athletes earned rare invitations to the prestigious Jackson T. Stephens Cup, competing against the nation’s elite on a stage broadcast to millions.
Now, that momentum has a steady hand in Coach Kortland Ware, a former SWAC champion and HBCU Coach of the Year, whose vision is reshaping both the men’s and women’s teams. With Ware at the helm, PVAMU golf is building a tradition designed to last.
Soccer: Setting Goals
Prairie View A&M Women’s Soccer has already proven it can climb to the top of the SWAC. The Lady Panthers captured their first tournament championship in 2019 with a 1–0 win over Howard and returned in 2021 to claim another title in dramatic fashion on penalty kicks. Those victories set the standard, showing the program’s ability to rise on the biggest stage. Under the leadership of Coach Abe Garcia, today’s squad, though facing a challenging, full SWAC schedule, is building on that legacy with the discipline and resilience to push the program forward.
Volleyball: Spiking A New Era of Energy
Under new head coach Dottie Hampton, PVAMU Volleyball launched its 2025 campaign with high energy and renewed focus. The team returned a strong core of experienced players and welcomed new talent, all of whom hit the court with intensity during preseason training.
Coach Hampton emphasized fundamentals, defensive strategy, and team chemistry in early practices, setting the tone for a season of growth and grit. Prairie View A&M Volleyball is serving notice: they’re ready for a competitive SWAC run.
PVAMU Cheerleaders: Let the Spirit Move You
Both the Cheerleaders and Panther Dolls are guided by Coach Jim Price, whose leadership blends discipline with creativity to keep spirit traditions strong while pushing each squad to perform at the highest level.
The PVAMU Cheerleaders are the voice and spirit of Panther Nation. Their jumps, stunts, and yells are the visible heartbeat of Panther Athletics, serving rhythm, inspiration, and the kind of spirit you feel in your chest when the crowd is right behind you.
From game day to community events, they lead with energy, unity, and pride.
Panther Dolls: Precision, Power, Performance
The Panther Dolls are a visual heartbeat of PVAMU Athletics.
To wear the Panther Doll uniform is to prove you’re not just a dancer, but an athlete. Tryouts demand jazz, hip-hop, leaps, turns, and high kicks, but also charisma, accountability, discipline, and being built for performance under pressure.
Performing at football, basketball, and volleyball games, they bring artistry and edge to every performance. With appearances at NBA games and youth camps, their impact reaches far beyond the sidelines.
Facilities: Where them Fans At?
PVAMU’s athletic infrastructure is one of the most advanced in the region. It’s designed not just to support athletes, but to shape champions.
Panther Stadium at Blackshear Field is a $61 million, 15,000-seat football stadium with skyboxes, premium seating, and a state-of-the-art field house. If you are looking for coaches, coaching staff, and athletes, you will find them in The Athletic Field House, which spans 54,000 square feet and includes locker rooms, training suites, and a Hall of Fame-inspired design. The more well-known William J. Nicks Building, known as the "Baby Dome," is a 4,000-seat arena for basketball and volleyball. The Track & Field Stadium is IAAF-certified and Olympic-tested, with elite field event zones, while Panther Lanes offers a 10-lane bowling facility with custom oil patterns and team amenities. Rounding out the facilities tour, the Lady Panthers Softball Stadium, PVAMU Soccer Complex, and Tankersley Field, all framing a campus built for competition.
Athletic Administration Building
Athletic Administration Building
Williams J. Nicks Building "Baby Dome"
Williams J. Nicks Building "Baby Dome"
Tankersley Field
Tankersley Field
Panthers Making the Grade
Prairie View A&M student-athletes are not only competing, but they’re also consistently excelling in the classroom. The Spring 2025 cumulative GPA of 3.228, led by Women’s Golf (3.68), continues an upward trend, building on marks of 3.13 in Fall 2023 and 3.02 in Fall 2022. Year after year, Panther teams across sports have pushed past the 3.0 threshold, even producing dozens of perfect 4.0s.
Student athlete spotlight
When PVAMU Athletics says that student-athletes don’t just compete, they mean it, and they have the scholars to prove it!
Athletes like Kylee Owens balance the rigor of Division I athletics with the demands of academic excellence.
Recently named to the 2024 AVCA Division I All-Americans Honorable Mention Team, the senior outside hitter maintains a 3.3 GPA as a Business Management major. That is no easy feat; PVAMU’s College of Business is one of the best in the nation!
Standing 5’10” with eight years of volleyball experience, she brings a competitive edge shaped by her family’s athletic legacy; her father, Terrell Owens, excelled in the NFL, while her mother was a competitive gymnast. Even with those powerful athletic genes, Kylee is a force to be reckoned with in her own right. Her journey includes: SWAC Conference Freshman of the Year, two consecutive National Championships with Sunshine Volleyball Club (the #1 girls' volleyball club in Southern California), All-Tournament Player, All-CIF, and Most Valuable Player.
What keeps her going? Advice from mom. “She always tells me to shine bright in everything that I do,” Kylee shares proudly. Her achievements on and off the court are proof that she has taken those wise words to heart. In addition to athletic and academic prowess, Kylie is a champion for the value of community service, especially as it relates to the empowerment of girls and young women. She is a proud member of H.E.R. at PVAMU, an organization founded on the premise of making "everybody feel like somebody." Kylie also plays an active role in PVAMU's Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), where she helps promote student-athlete welfare.
PVAMU Athletics builds champions and well-rounded young women and men. Kylie is a shining example of both.
Anton Goff
Athletics Director of PVAMU
More Than a Game
PVAMU Athletics is about more than wins and losses. It’s about identity. It’s about showing up, standing tall, and proving that greatness lives here. Whether it’s a buzzer-beater, a record-breaking sprint, or a halftime performance that brings the crowd to its feet, Prairie View athletes and spirit squads carry the weight of tradition and the fire of the future.
To learn more about the coaches and staff behind Prairie View A&M Athletics.
Represent the purple and gold in style! Check out the latest merchandise.
For those who want to stay connected to the growth of Panther Athletics and learn how to be part of its next chapter.
Credits
Story by Liz Faublas-Wallace
Creative by LeWebster Lacy '10, Nicholas Hunt '16, Tyrell Irby '15, Jordan Guidry, Brian Scott, Moriah Jeffries, Mariah Williams, Marchita Shilo, Q Shot It (Kreadiv & Koo), and PVAMU Athletics
Built with Shorthand