Spectrum Health Awards Northern Lights Award

Annual award program honors longtime coach for contribution to local sports

BIG RAPIDS, Mich., April 27, 2017 – For his leadership and service to our community, Dave Newcombe was awarded the 2017 Northern Lights award for Outdoor Sports and Recreation.

The Northern Lights awards are given by the Spectrum Health Foundation Big Rapids and Reed City Hospitals each year to recognize the contributions of outstanding individuals, groups or programs making a difference in our region.

Longtime Big Rapids resident, Dave Newcombe, has been a coach and supporter of local sports for years. He served as a little league baseball coach for 10 years, coaching teams from T-ball to the American Legion Team. For the past three seasons, Dave has served as an umpire. He has also volunteered as an assistant girls’ basketball coach for Big Rapids High School’s varsity and junior varsity teams for five seasons. Dave operates the clock and scoreboard for the basketball games, and is a chain crew member for the High School football games.

In addition to his service to Big Rapids High School, Dave has also been an essential part of Ferris State University’s sports programs. For 20 years, he has served as the scoreboard operator for FSU basketball games. Dave is also seen on the sidelines and as the game clock operator for FSU football for the past 18 seasons. He will be retiring at the end of the 2017 baseball season.

Dave was honored with the Northern Lights award during halftime at a recent Ferris State University basketball game against Grand Valley State University.

Photos: John Coles, FSU Athletics and Northern Lights Award committee member gives Dave Newcombe the Northern Lights Award for Outdoor Sports and Recreation at halftime of a recent Ferris State University basketball game.

Photo Credit: Ferris State University

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Danielle Wells
Media Relations Contact
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