The University Interscholastic League or UIL is an organization which creates rules for and sometimes administers almost all athletic, music, and academic contests for public elementary and secondary schools in the American state of Texas. Activities range from American football to marching band competitions. The UIL does not administer Academic Decathlon competitions, however. The UIL was originally created by the University of Texas at Austin to provide a rule-making body for athletic and academic events. It has since grown to many times its original size and vision, and now strives to create rules for fair play in all inter-school contests. Its mission, according to the UIL, is to foster good sportsmanship and character building among competitors.