Aug. 11, 2004

Thank you for your continued interest and your response to the "Ask Mike" feature on utsports.com. I appreciate all the comments, questions and suggestions.

Go Vols!
Mike Hamilton

Hi Mike, I recently had a discussion with some other fellow season ticket holders on volquest.com regarding adding more chair back seats with the renovation of the stadium. The general consensus seems to against adding more chair backs. Has any thought been given to keeping the bleacher style seats but adding backs on to them, as is the case with some of the seats at Vandy. It would seem to be a cost effective alternative that would make most of the fans happy. Thanks!
Paul Tallant
Nashville, Tenn.

Mike Hamilton: Hi Paul,
Thanks for your e-mail. Over the past year, we have been looking for options to make the seats more comfortable. Since it's cost-prohibitive to replace the existing benches, we will be offering our season ticket holders the option to rent seatbacks that will be attached to their seat for the entire season. The seatbacks will be a great addition for our fans this season. The way the seats are designed, they create a more comfortable environment and establish the fans personal space without impeding on the space of fans around them. The cost for the seatback rental is $35 per year, $38 for orders received after August 16. Funds from the annual rental agreements will be used for ongoing department operations including renovations in Neyland Stadium. Orders can be made by calling GTM toll free at (877) 610-4140 or order online at www.volscushion.com.

Go Vols!
Mike

I really like the retro uniforms and Tennessee fans have been really high on them on all the UT boards I've been to. Almost every one of us has said that we'd love to see them become the new away jersey or atleast in a regular rotation. Is that possible?
Brian
Carrollton, Ga.

Mike Hamilton: Hi Brian,
Thanks for your feedback. The coaches and captains make the decision on what jerseys to wear. If they decide they want to continue wearing the jersey to away games, we will gladly support their decision.

Go Vols!
Mike

Mike, I just wanted to send this vote of confidence and support for the decision concerning 2004 SEC Media Day. I believe that the correct decision was made. I believe that Coach Fulmer is taking us in the right direction and I can't wait for the start of football season. Keep up the great leadership!
Bill Bryant
Lawrenceville, Ga.

Mike Hamilton: Hi Bill,
Thanks for your e-mail and your vote of support.

Go Vols!
Mike

I am a graduate of the University (1972) and a die-hard UT Football fan. As such, I want to voice my disappointment with the decision to not send Coach Fulmer to SEC Media Days in Birmingham. By his not coming, he has done nothing but add fuel to the fire. Don't get me wrong, I am strong supporter of Coach Fulmer, but I believe this decision not to come to Media Days reflects badly on the UT Football program and the University as a whole. Surely the reasons given about not wanting to turn the Media Days into a circus for the lawyers is not the whole story. He could have easily handled any questions from the Media by simply saying he can't comment because of the ongoing litigation and that would have been the end of it. Coach Fulmer's stature in the SEC is damaged by this decision and ultimately the program's recruiting efforts also could be damaged. Surely there is more to this whole thing than what is being reported in the news media, and perhaps one day the whole story can be told.
Sam Frazier
Maylene, Ala.

Mike Hamilton: Hi Sam,
Thanks for your e-mail. I understand your concern, but I do believe that Coach Fulmer's decision not to attend media days was the right thing to do for our football team, our university, and the NCAA.

In cooperating with NCAA investigators, Coach Fulmer acted properly and in the best interest of the University of Tennessee, the SEC and college football. It is the responsibility of all NCAA member institutions to report infractions that they are aware of. After the coach reports it, it is the NCAA responsibility to prove or disprove it.

Coach Fulmer participated in media days via teleconference. I believe the way he answered questions yesterday speaks for itself . Here's a link to his statement.

Go Vols!
Mike