TAMPA - Red cloth napkins began to swing around above the banquet tables at the Hilton Downtown Tampa as the winner of a new 2018 Ford Fiesta was announced.
A full band played the Isley Brothers' Shout behind the podium as announcer John Szponar, vice president of community relations for the New York Yankees, waited for Jesuit High School track coach Andy Wood to claim the night's biggest prize.
Normally, prize winners at the Hillsborough County "Coach" Foundation annual prom night must be present, or another name is drawn. Prom night tradition calls for guests to swing their napkins in the air if the lucky recipient doesn't show.
Since Wood was away on a school-sanctioned trip, he kept his new ride.
The dinner and dance, now in its 29th year, was created by the New York Yankees' legendary owner George Steinbrenner to recognize public and private high school coaches for their commitment to student athletes. More than 1,200 coaches and their guests attend.
"As each one of you knows - as George Steinbrenner knew - you're all playing a critical role in grooming young people for the future," said master of ceremonies John Wilson, a retired news anchor who spent three decades in the Tampa broadcasting market.
"Mr. Steinbrenner knew that these kids all needed help, support, confidence and guidance. Athletics gives them that. You give them that."
The night culminates with a drawing for 30 big-ticket prizes, including ticket packages for local sports teams, $50,000 in cash and trips to New York City, Las Vegas and more.
Steinbrenner's 37-year ownership of the Yankees was the longest in team history. He remained owner and managing partner up until his death in 2010, when his sons assumed control of the team. He proudly called Tampa home and served as a philanthropic force in the community he loved.
The family continues the spirit of giving.
This year's featured speaker, Coach Neal Goldman, was honored for his 38 years with the Jesuit High School varsity basketball team, 31 of those as head coach, including a state championship in 2013.
"People often ask me how much longer I'm going to coach," Goldman said. "When I hear that, it keeps me motivated to get back to work. We coaches know that every season, we have an opportunity to take a group of athletes and create a tight-knit culture that produces lasting brother and sisterhood."
Cheers and laughter filled the room as the winning coaches stepped up to collect their prizes.
"I finally won!" said a jubilant Spoto High School golf and boys' track Coach John Rhodus, of his trip to Las Vegas. "Going to Vegas, baby!"
Jesuit football coach Matt Thompson laughed about his repeated trips to center stage over the years.
"I win a lot," he said to a chorus of playful booing.
Brandon High wrestling coach Russ Cozart, whose 38-year career includes the famed "Streak," was quick to credit his own coaches.
"I was a wrestler in high school, and I know how much they gave me," he said. "You don't really realize how much your coaches and being an athlete gives you until you get to where you're going. And that's what athletics is all about - challenging kids and giving them something to do."
Steinbrenner's granddaughter Julia represented the Steinbrenner family at the event, helping to draw the winners.
"He would love seeing all these coaches, these unsung heroes, being honored year after year," said Julia Steinbrenner, 26, who works for the New York Yankees Tampa Foundation.
George Steinbrenner began his career as a coach, working as an assistant at Northwestern University and Purdue University.
"He was a coach first and foremost, and he had a great appreciation for what they go through every day and what they mean to these kids."
Contact Libby Baldwin at hillsnews@tampabay.com.