Across generations, there are people who will continue to inspire individuals long after they transition. For the Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation (ETC Foundation), one can’t think of inspirational people, without thinking of a person who inspired in life and beyond, Edward “Eddie” Coombs. Since the formation of the foundation in 2011, the ETC Foundation has given away almost $1 million dollars in scholarship funds and has assisted more than 100 scholars, passing Edward’s values on to a new generation of leaders.
Edward’s legacy of leadership is not about accomplishments, but rather a lasting testament to leadership and inspiration. Whether among a group of friends, a student in the classroom, or before, during, or after a sporting event, Edward embraced elements that left a mark. The ETC Foundation formed from a legacy of commitment to demonstrate Edward’s values into action through scholarships, educational workshops, and mentoring youth.
This article will describe Edward’s early life, discuss how the ETC Foundation is keeping his torch lit, and provide ways young scholars today can provide a breath of life to Edward’s lessons. In all scenarios, the conduit will be Edward’s legacy of leadership, a torch that shines brightly and never extinguished.
Edward’s Early Life: The Seeds of his Legacy
Edward Coombs was born in Horsham, Pennsylvania, and quite immediately started showing aspects of leadership. He entered his formative school years as a four-sport athlete. Edward participated in football, soccer, went out for track, and was a lacrosse player. As noted in USA Lacrosse, Edward had an unforgettable energy, presence, and ability on the field. Edward also sported No. 34, and he exemplified the heart and grittiness that all athletes desire to play with. He was awarded All-League, All-State, and Most Valuable Player, as coaches valued his talent as much as his ability to inspire the entire team.
Edward also excelled as a student. He was on the Honor Roll, represented his classmates at the National Youth Leadership Forum, and interned with the District Attorney’s Office of Montgomery County. All of these were examples of civic responsibility and purpose – well beyond his years.
Above all, Edward’s character distinguished him. Friends described him as loyal and trustworthy; his teachers as tenacious and caring. Edward built relationships based on trust and cared for others, whether it was motivating a teammate after he had a bad game or encouraging a classmate in need.
While Edward’s life was tragically cut short in 2011, his story lives on. He reminds us that leadership is not about a title, not about some kind of fame; it’s about the choices you make every day that demonstrate excellence, service, and care for others. And this is at the heart of his legacy of leadership.
Keeping Edward’s Legacy Alive: Programs, Honors, and Student Impact
Since 2011, the ETC Foundation has worked hard to keep Edward’s values alive as an active part of the lives of the people he touched while growing up. Scholarships, seminars, athletic honors, and events all serve to extend Edward’s legacy into the present.
Scholarships and Merit Awards: The Foundation distributes nearly one million dollars to over 100 student scholars exhibiting character, kindness, passion, and achievement in academics and athletics. Each recipient carries Edward’s torch by returning with his legacy of leadership to their own schools and communities.
Educational Seminars: The Foundation sponsors seminars regarding responsible decision-making, friendship, social media, safe driving as teens, and more. These initiatives empower students with the resources they can use to make healthier decisions, while also translating some of Edward’s life lessons into actionable information toward building stronger communities and safer communities.
Celebrating Athletic Achievement: Sports played an enormous role in Edward’s life, and his No. 34 lacrosse jersey is synonymous with persistence and leadership. Annual events like the golf outing in Horsham organized by the Foundation bring people together to remember Edward and promote leadership, while also raising funds to support it. These events provide a chance for people to compete for prizes, all while dedicated to supporting Edward’s values. Community Connections: Whether it’s a golf tournament or virtual 5K, the Foundation creates opportunities for people to gather around one common goal. These events are meant to raise money for scholarships, to remember Edward, and to remind us that these moments reestablish a collaborative legacy of leadership with the constant reminders of Edward’s life.
Legacy Action to Practice in Daily Life
The goal of today’s student becomes not remembering Edward, but living the lessons that Edward taught them. The leadership that endures develops a legacy of leadership by first establishing itself in action. Educational researchers demonstrate the connection between strong instructional leadership and student learning engagement.
However, here are just a few examples of how a student could practice Edward’s values daily:
Lead through service, not status. Real leaders help others. Helping a classmate after school, volunteering in the local community, or simply encouraging a teammate during a sporting event are all part of everyday practice to reflect Edward’s values. Pursuing excellence in all things: Edward was an individual who excelled in both his academic achievements and competition in athletics. As students, honor his legacy of leadership by striving for excellence in your school, extracurricular, and community activities.
Making good choices. Every choice you make shapes your character. Whether on social media, among peers, or in a situation with some sort of peer pressure, choose your integrity over all — that is true leadership as well as honoring Edward’s legacy.
Community building. Edward was known for gathering people together. As students, you can continue this by creating a sense of inclusion, kindness, and respect in your school and community.
When students act with purpose, integrity, and service, they are honoring Edward by preserving and maintaining his legacy of leadership through actions in the lives of others.
Legacy Action to Practice in Daily Life
Edward Coombs lived a life that was passionate and with purpose: encouraging others to do excellent things and impacting change positively. Through the ETC Foundation, all of his values are preserved in the form of scholarships, seminars, and traditions that impact young people every single year. Edward’s story shows us that a true legacy of leadership is not to be measured in years lived, but rather in the number of lives impacted.
Each student that takes a lesson from Edward, each scholar that benefits from this Foundation, and each community member that passes on Edward’s story fuels the legacy of leadership carried out by Edward Coombs that continues today.
The future of Edward’s legacy lies within today’s students. As today’s students embrace Edward’s values of compassion, courage, and excellence, they too become torch bearers of Edward Coombs. Edward’s story shows us that leadership is more than just a memory when we practice serving others, integrity, and inclusion.
Edward’s legacy of leadership is not simply a memory. Edward’s legacy is a beacon of inspiration and empowerment that will shape generations to come as they forge a path forward through its continued illumination.
