Pay increases have become a common topic of conversation on the University of Tennessee's campus.

Whether it's Bruce Pearl, Pat Summitt or UT's football staff, such changes are almost always met with scrutiny.

UT announced it had extended Mike Hamilton's contract early last week week. The third-year athletic director is signed on until 2011 and received a nearly 10-percent pay increase.

Hamilton's increase barely raised an eyebrow in the Knoxville community.

After all, Hamilton finalized one of the best hires in recent memory when he landed Pearl. Hamilton also increased UT's pay scale for assistant football coaches, which opened the door for offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe to return to Tennessee.

Hamilton was a guest on the News Sentinel Sports Page earlier this week:

Q: Are you glad to have your contract done?

A: Sure, anytime you're a contract employee, you want to get the next contract signed. I love being here in Knoxville and at the University of Tennessee. I feel great about the leadership of Dr. Peterson and what he's doing for our campus.

I also feel like we've got some pretty aggressive plans and visions for our athletic program. I want to see those through and see what the results will be.

Q: Have you thought about ways you can capitalize on the excitement surrounding the men's basketball?

A: The greatest promotion we have right now is what Bruce Pearl's doing in the community. That's had as much of an effect on -- what I think -- will be increased ticket sales as anything else.

We've got a significant uptick in inquiries about season tickets and single-game tickets even though it's only June.

Q: Are athletic directors collectively trying to promote SEC basketball given the success the league had last year?

A: I'm cognizant in trying to leverage that as we prepare our marketing plan. You will hear us talk a lot about the fact that Florida, LSU, Memphis and Texas will all be here in Knoxville this year, which is four of the Elite 8.

We went into last season and everybody said the league was down. We sort of beat up on each other along the way. But in the end, Florida and LSU ended up in the Final Four.

I think our league is a better basketball league than has generally been given credit. I think one of the reasons is that we have not had the same amount of national television coverage as the ACC and the Big East.

Q: Is this a chance to gain ground on those conferences in terms of TV exposure?

A: There's no question. For us, in particular, last year we knew that we would have very limited numbers of television appearances. But there has been a great deal of discussion about this year.

We know our Memphis game is going to be on national television. We know our Texas game is going to be on national television. The preseason NIT will be on national television.

There's going to be a lot more exposure for Tennessee basketball nationally in the 2006-07 season than there was in the 2005-06.

Q:: Has LSU asked to talk to Rod Delmonico about its head baseball coaching vacancy?

A: No, they have not. At this point we have not had any inquires.

Q: Is there anything that can be done to add consistency to the baseball program or is that just part of the geographic challenges?

A: I think there is some geographic element in that. We have been fortunate to have some very good teams. I think we are in position to have a very good team next year.

We had a lot of youth this year. Baseball lends itself to a significant number of transfers, both in and out. That's probably the thing that we could do to stabilize it the most, is to not have as many transfers.

Q: Is that tough on your marketing guys?

A: What we try to focus our marketing efforts on in baseball, primarily, is geared towards the family environment. It's really, relatively speaking, an inexpensive ticket to come out and spend a couple of hours in the sun.

We've done a pretty good job in engaging children, through birthday parties and post-game opportunities on the field. We finished tenth in attendance in the league this year in baseball. We'd like to see that number improve.

Q: Do you see UT having a men's soccer team one day?

A: I'd love to see it. I can't tell you a timetable because it's all a matter of having the finances to do it and we are really concentrating pretty heavily on the facilities. In building the soccer stadium, we have shelled out space for the opportunity to add a men's program at some point.

A long-term goal we have is to add men's soccer then we would add a women's sport at that time. Florida announced that they are adding women's lacrosse. That's the sport that (UT women's AD) Joan (Cronan) has mentioned on a number of occasions that, should we add men's soccer, that she would like to consider adding.

To add a sport is a half-million to a million dollars a year by the time you factor in the cost of scholarships today, the recruiting budgets, the travel budgets and the coaches' salary.

Q: What does it mean to have Peyton Manning as an ambassador for your athletic department?

A: Nothing short of phenomenal. Peyton is the real deal. It's not a show. He is genuinely concerned about other people and the University of Tennessee. He follows our programs, not just football, all of our programs.

He's actually helping us as an honorary chair of some of our capital campaign efforts. We're fortunate that we've had several marquee athletes that really represent themselves well and Peyton is certainly towards the top of that list.

Q: Despite UT's basketball success, will you're legacy be tied to football?

A: Absolutely. Being athletic director at the University of Tennessee, it is no secret that success in football is a secret to success of our program, both from a financial standpoint and an emotional standpoint of our fans.

That's going to get right. I have confidence that it will head in the right direction. My role is to support the efforts of our staff to do that. When and if it ever becomes a situation where we don't feel like we're getting it done, to make the necessary changes in that regard.

The legacy of Tennessee football is one that has deep roots and one that we will protect very dearly.

Q: Do you feel like the football program has turned the corner concerning off-field issues?

A: I certainly feel like there is a different mentality off the field. Is that because we made some changes in the coaching staff? Is that because there have been less distractions off the field? What are the reasons behind it? I can't specifically put a pinpoint on it.

But there is a different feel among the student athletes that I visit with and the coaches I visit with. There is an element of resolve among our student athletes, our coaches and our staff.

We've got a rich history here. We have great pride in our program and our achievements. We're making sure we're headed in the right direction.

I think you'll see a significant stride made in the right direction this season.