College 1994-1997

During his tenure at the University of Tennessee, Peyton epitomized the term "student-athlete". He claimed 43 records at the school, conference, and national levels, while graduating with Phi Beta Kappa honors. Peyton passed up the NFL after his junior season and the near-certain opportunity to be chosen first in the NFL Draft to remain in school for a fourth year and forever set him apart. He was a three-time Academic All-America honoree. Following his senior season, Peyton was honored with the Sullivan Award for the nation's top amateur athlete based on character, leadership, athletic ability and the ideals of amateurism.

The University of Tennessee established the Manning Scholarship following Peyton's graduation. The scholarship is funded from gifts to the University garnered from Manning's academic awards, the UT Athletic Department's corporate matching grants program and other private gifts. Manning's four-year career at UT produced a number of awards that generated $165,000 in scholarship funds. The Manning Scholarship covers the costs of tuition, room and board. The award is granted to a first-year student on the basis of academic achievement, leadership and community service.