By GREG KEIM
MIDDLEBURY — Never underestimate the value of who you know.
Just ask Northridge High School Athletic Director Dave Harms.
Through a former contact, Harms will be receiving the first football taken out of Super Bowl XLIV today in Miami.
“A Rawlings sales representative from Winning Edge in Rochester that I know called and told me about the deal,” Harms said. “He told me about how Rawlings supplies game and practice balls and how he was getting 12 of them. He wondered if I would be interested in one.
“I put a bid of $100 in and got it.”
According to Harms, the ball will have the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints stamped on it plus the date and location of the game.
“After the game Rawlings is making replicas, but I wanted one from the game,” Harms said. “I really won’t know if it’s an actual game ball or one they used in practice but I don’t care. It’s from the Super Bowl.’
Only one thing could have made the ball even more valuable to Harms.
“My favorite team is the Minnesota Vikings,” he said. “If the Vikings had made the Super Bowl I would definitely be keeping the ball.”
His family are fans of the Colts.
“I’m outnumbered 3-1 in my family by Colts’ fans,” he said.
Harms is originally from Iowa Falls, Iowa. He played football at Drake University and after graduation began a 23-year coaching career that included, among others, stops at Valparaiso University and Manchester College.
This is his third year at Northridge.
“I wanted to play and then coach sports as long as I could always figuring there would come a time when I couldn’t do it anymore,” he said. “The next best thing was being an athletic director.
Harms’ further connections could make the ball even more valuable, especially to the Northridge Athletic Department.
“I know one of the Colts trainers and have contacted him about getting the ball signed by some of the players,” he said. “Depending on which players sign the ball it could be a good fund-raiser for the athletic department.
“I have already been offered $750 for it without any signatures and have taken that under consideration. With signatures who knows what it could be worth?”
There is one signature that could make him keep the ball.
“Me wife has said if Peyton Manning signs it we are keeping the ball,” Harms added.
Recent cuts in state funding have Harms thinking about this rather unique way of raising money.
“Raising money for the athletic department is something we take a lot of pride in,” Harms said. “Everyone has to look at cuts and be aware of their surroundings. You can’t take anything for granted anymore.
“I’m sure if the Colts win they will be getting all kinds of requests for things like this. I think with the tie in to an athletic fund-raiser will help. I’m using all the leverage I have to get this done.”
Although Harms is a Vikings fan he does like the Colts.
“I like their work ethic,” he said.
Harms even got the chance to observe that work ethic first hand.
“Through a trainer that was at Manchester I had the opportunity to be a guest coach one day at practice,” he said. “I got to watch drills and eat with the team.”
