Tennessee associate athletic director Carmen Tegano recalls well when the seed of benevolence was planted in quarterback Peyton Manning.

"His first year we had a orientation class for the freshmen," Tegano recalled Thursday. "Mitch Barnhart (who was UT’s associate athletic director for development and marketing) talked about the scholarship program and where the money given for scholarship goes. After the class, Peyton came up to us and said he really appreciated that presentation and he hoped someday to be able to do a little something to help."

"Well, he used the wrong adjective."

Manning, who quarterbacks for the Indianapolis Colts, has the biggest contract in NFL history. He has given liberally to UT since the end of his playing days in 1997. On Thursday, it was announced his latest gift will be $1 million to the UT athletic program.

"Peyton has been nothing short of phenomenal in his developmental efforts," UT athletic director Mike Hamilton said. "In addition to his own giving, he has been willing to talk with donors or write donors letters. He is generally interested in the University of Tennessee’s success."

Hamilton’s office received a letter from Manning last month disclosing the $1 million gift that will be used to improve the locker rooms at Neyland Stadium and help with projects at the Neyland-Thompson football complex.

"The letter didn’t come out of the blue," Hamilton said. "Through the course of the last 12 to 24 months we have talked with Peyton about what it (a donation) might look like."

Hamilton said the money is being used as part of Phase II of the athletic department’s five-phase construction plans. The work is expected to start after the 2007 season and be completed before the 2008 season.

He said the athletic department was making plans to announce the donation closer to the football season possibly even at the season opener against Cal on Sept. 2. However, news of the donation was leaked to the press and forced Thursday’s early announcement.

Manning has an NFL contract valued at $99.2 million over seven years. In addition, he has endorsement contracts with DirecTV, Reebok and Gatorade.

Shortly after signing his first NFL contract he made a donation to UT to help fund Thornton Athletics Student Life Center. In addition, he sponsors the Peyton Manning academic scholarship. He makes one of his numerous trips to Knoxville each year in order to give the award out personally.

The award comes after the return of offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe — a mentor and good friend of Manning’s — to the university.

"I don’t think that had any bearing on it," said Hamilton. "I do think it makes him feel even better about it."

Manning was in St. Louis on Thursday preparing for an exhibition game Thursday night with the Rams. He was not available for comment.