'Cadillac' offers cap to pay for prom party

Indian River High School's After-Prom Party is banking on Plaxico Burress.

Or at least his signature anyway.

Burress of the New York Giants signed a baseball cap for his mentor Indian River High School football coach Elisha "Cadillac" Harris the day before Super Bowl XLII.

The next day Burress caught the game-winning touchdown pass, helping the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots, 17-14.

When Harris realized the after-prom committee was short on funds, he offered them the autographed "Cadillac Harris Braves Open Golf Tournament" hat to auction off.

The schools' after-prom costs about $8,000. But with donations coming in smaller amounts this year, the after-prom committee has only $5,000.

"I know that Plaxico likes to help students in any way that he can and this is certainly a great format to help these seniors with their After-Prom Party and all of the positive activities that will come with it," said Harris.

The bidding begins Monday morning at $100. Organizers will send an e-mail to all bidders with the current high bid every other day. Bidding ends April 18 at 3 p.m. The winner will be announced that day.

All of the money raised goes to after-prom, which is May 9. About 350 seniors are expected to attend after-prom.

The money will help pay for facility rental, food and prizes. Most prizes, things like gift certificates, gas cards and refrigerators, are geared toward college, Bouldin said.

"The whole purpose of the after-prom is to keep the kids off the street and to keep them from having their own parties," Bouldin said. "We provide a safe, drug-free environment for them."

E-mail bids to Lee Harris at leenyl@aol.com.

Amy Coutee, (757) 222-5216, amy.coutee@pilotonline.com