Foundation Vows $30K Support of Scoreboard

During his years at Hatboro-Horham High School, Eddie Coombs helped keep the scoreboard at Hatters Stadium in use as a standout football player.

It would only seem fitting then that the foundation created in the name of the 2010 graduate, who died in a 2011 car crash, is helping to keep the score going.

His father, Eric Coombs, a former Hatboro-Horsham School Board member and president of the Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation, pledged $30,000 toward the purchase of a new scoreboard at Hatters Stadium.

“My son was very, very passionate about Hatboro-Horsham,” Mr. Coombs told the board during this week’s meeting. “We have attempted to give back to our community as much as we thought he would want us to give back to our community.”

Assistant Superintendent John Nodecker said the existing scoreboard has been in place since 1992 and is not Title IX compliant. In order to fix or replace it, Nodecker said the district would need to ensure “equity for female and male sports.”

The current scoreboard, with its ability to only record football scores, does not provide for equal opportunity for all sports, according to district officials.

“The options are very limited as far as retrofitting,” Nodecker said, adding that his research has shown a total replacement as being the best option. “We really do not want to spend those funds.”

But, with the Foundation’s commitment, the district is hopeful that it will not need to spend additional monies. Nodecker told Patch that Coombs’ presentation was aimed at asking permission to seek costs for a replacement board.

“From the research I have done so far, the prices can vary greatly, depending on the quality and sports that can be covered,” he said. “Ultimately, the project still would need board approval. With this in mind, we will try to determine the best value that suits all of the needs and present that information to the board.”

Hatboro-Horsham officials anticipate issuing a request for proposal once scoreboard specifications have been determined. Should the costs exceed the foundation’s donation, the district will pursue additional revenues through advertising and additional sponsorships, district officials said in a press release.

Eric Coombs said the foundation has the funds available for the scoreboard and is continuing to fundraise for scholarships through donations and events, including the July 15 golf outing.

Noting that his son’s headstone includes lyrics from Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror,” including the ability to “make a change” and “make a difference,” Mr. Coombs said “the time is right” to replace the scoreboard.

“We just feel that it is our responsibility and it’s something that my son would want,” Coombs said of his offer to help. “I ask God every day, ‘what am I gaining out of this?’ What I’m gaining is to help our community.”