Hatboro-Horsham High School class of 2010 alum Edward Taylor Coombs proudly wore his No. 14 jersey as a standout on the high school’s lacrosse team during his high school athletic career.
In the 14 years since Coombs’ untimely death in 2011, the Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation – the nonprofit organization established to continue his legacy – has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to nearly 200 students attending colleges and universities throughout the country. On July 14, the Horsham-based ETC Foundation will acknowledge the 2025 round of scholarship award winners as part of the 14th annual golf outing fundraiser and scholarship awards dinner.
“This year has triple meaning as it will be our 14th year, held on the 14th and 14 was also Edward’s lacrosse jersey number at Hatboro-Horsham,” said Edward’s mother, Forrestine, who helps organize the annual fundraiser. “Our theme this year is the triple crown.”
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In 2024 the Foundation contributed more than $55,000 to 18 scholarship award recipients.
A stellar athlete and academically gifted student, Edward was a rising sophomore at Marist College at the time of his death in August 2011. His dedication and hard work on and off the field inspired his family to establish the nonprofit organization to continue his impactful legacy.
Even though he had only played with the men’s lacrosse team for a short time, he made a lasting impact on Keegan Wilkinson, Edward’s lacrosse coach at Marist College.
“He had the biggest heart,” Wilkinson said during Edward’s posthumous induction into Hatboro-Horsham High School’s Athletic Wall of Fame in 2015. One of Edward’s lessons that continues to be shared is that, “It’s not about you, it’s about the team.”
Coach Wilkinson refers to the legacy that he created for future players, including many who never had the opportunity to meet him, yet still have his photo on their computers and cell phone screens. His college jersey number, 34, is the number of repetitions athletes must perform during practice. His former locker has been made into a shrine and one lucky lacrosse player each season receives the honor of wearing Edward’s number.
New Head Coach Dave Scarcello still carries on this honored tradition at Marist.
Most recently, professional lacrosse player Josh Balcarel of the California Redwoods, chose Edward’s jersey number as his own after wearing the No. 34 jersey for two seasons at Marist College.
“Edward’s legacy continues on the national lacrosse front,” Mrs. Coombs said, calling it “such an honor.”
If you go
The Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation 14th annual Golf Outing and Scholarship Awards Dinner will be held on July 14 beginning at 11 a.m. at Commonwealth National Golf Club, 250 Babylon Road, Horsham. Tickets are available for the golf outing, which includes lunch and dinner; as well as tickets solely for the awards dinner, which features cocktails and a silent auction. For more information, or to register, click here: https://birdease.com/31283/register.
