Peyton Manning returning to Tennessee as professor
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (BVM) – It’s been nearly 26 years since Peyton Manning’s last game at the University of Tennessee, but the Hall of Famer is set to return to his alma mater in a different manner.
This fall, Manning will find himself away from the football field after Tennessee’s College of Communication and Information appointed him as a practicing professor for the upcoming term. Manning will join select classes during the fall term as a featured expert and will work alongside the school’s faculty to provide learning experiences for CCI students.
“There is no other ambassador for our college and university like Peyton Manning, and we are proud to welcome him to the college’s faculty,” dean of the College of Communication and Information Joseph Mazer said. “Peyton is a true Volunteer, and I look forward to our students gaining invaluable knowledge from him as we continue to prepare the next generation of communication and information leaders.”
The 1997 Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Award winner was 39-6 as a starting quarterback for the Volunteers and holds the school’s record for career passing yards (11,201) and touchdown passes (89) following his tenure from 1994-97. Manning’s number (16) was retired by Tennessee in 2005 and the former Volunteers quarterback has maintained a steady presence in Knoxville since his playing days.
With a chance to share his wealth of knowledge, the NFL Hall of Famer will continue to balance his Omaha Productions project while providing his unique insight to the school’s current students.
“My time as a student in the College of Communication and Information was a foundational experience during which I learned critical skills and messaging techniques that I continue to put to use almost daily,” Manning said. “I look forward to working with the college’s talented faculty, and directly with students in an effort to ensure they are well prepared for their future careers.”
Manning’s recent endeavor will add to his growing Tennessee resume after providing the college with a $1 million donation in 2018 to establish the John Haas Student Experiential Learning endowment to honor the former director of the School of Communication Studies.
