Edward Taylor Coombs always called Horsham “home.” The 2010 Hatboro-Horsham High School graduate and standout athlete will forever be immortalized at home as a 2015 Athletic Wall of Fame honoree.
Edward, who, in addition to his strong academic achievements, was also a top-notch lacrosse and football player.
“He is and has been the gift that keeps on giving,” his father, Eric, said as dozens of family and friends gathered in the Coombs’ home following the Sept. 18, 2015 ceremony. “It was very humbling. It was almost serene.”
Wall of Fame inductees are decided by ballot. Edward was selected unanimously on the first consideration, which undoubtedly made his proud family even more so.
Mr. Coombs, along with his wife, Tina and daughter, Erin walked out onto the 50 yard line hand-in-hand to accept the plaque in Edward’s honor during half-time of a home football game against Lansdale Catholic. The bittersweet moment emphasized the impact Edward had – and continues to have – in his 19 years.
Prior to the football game, the Coombs family attended a Wall of Fame dinner in recognition of Edward and the other 2015 Wall of Fame inductees. Erin gave a speech honoring her brother and his love for his Horsham community.
Since Edward’s passing in 2011, his family created the Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation, which, to date, has granted more than 50 scholarships totaling over $145,000.
“The Foundation is what keeps driving his name,” Mr. Coombs said. “This is how we get through.”
Edward’s uncle, Richard Taylor, who was instrumental in helping to establish the nonprofit organization that bears his nephew’s name, said the Foundation’s success has been an “amazing four-year journey.”
“I knew that we had to lift him in a way that essentially he would be remembered, essentially eternally,” Mr. Taylor said. “It was really all about him.”
Even early on, Edward’s grandmother, Audrey Coombs, said she knew her grandson was special because of his hard work and persistence. In fifth-grade, Edward, whom she described as “always being on the honor roll,” was upset because he made the honor roll, but not the distinguished honor roll.
“He got on the phone and called the school himself,” she recalled with a smile. “I knew then that he was going to be a leader.”
Fellow class of 2010 Hatboro-Horsham graduate Ryan Kreston, one of Edward’s best friends since first-grade, said he always looked up to him.
“We grew up together playing sports together our whole lives,” Kreston said. “When he jumped sports … I followed suit.”
The two played travel soccer together, baseball, football and lacrosse.
“He was definitely the vocal leader and held a presence on the team that nobody had,” Kreston said. “I wouldn’t want the ball in anybody else’s hands when the game was on the line. We could count on him.”
Coming back to his alma mater for Edward’s Wall of Fame induction was difficult, mostly because his best friend wasn’t there to stand up receive his award or give a speech.
“He was basically like my brother from another family,” Kreston said. “Him and the Coombs’ mean the world to me.”
Hatboro-Horsham was not the only school where Edward showed his leadership. Keegan Wilkinson, Edward’s lacrosse coach at Marist College, remarked about the then-freshman’s ability to lead the team.
“He had the biggest heart,” Coach Wilkinson said. One of Edward’s lessons that continues to be shared is that, “It’s not about you, it’s about the team.”
Edward’s name is synonymous with legacy. At Marist, where Edward studied for only one year, 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.
The charismatic, passionate young man with a contagious smile made a lasting impact on Marist College. His 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.
It’s all of these reasons and more that Mike Linehan became instant friends with Edward.
“It was not very difficult to make friends with Eddie,” Mike said.
Edward’s roommate and teammate at Marist, Mike said Edward’s Wall of Fame recognition was an incredible and well-deserved honor.
“I could tell when I met Eddie that he was going to do something big,” Mike said, adding that through the Foundation, Edward is “touching lives of people that don’t even know him.”
Edward’s cousin, Jonevan Hornsby brought his 3-year-old son to see Edward’s recognition ceremony.
“I’m just overwhelmed with emotions,” Jonevan said. “It’s brought back memories of our time together.”
Marcus Scott, who has served on the Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation’s board of directors for two years, does not have any personal memories of Edward. The two had never met. Yet, Marcus said he feels like he knows Edward.
“It’s remarkable to hear things people say about him,” Marcus said. Because of the community’s unwavering support for Edward, his family and the fundraising organization created on Edward’s behalf, Marcus said even more positivity lies ahead. “I just believe the foundation will grow and grow and grow.”
How fitting that Edward’s family, his extended family from Marist, his friends and the community that supported him then and now, all came together in the place that Edward always called “home” to honor his induction into his high school’s Athletic Wall of Fame.
