By Marty Gordon
A Blacksburg High School soccer player is this year’s recipient of a memorial scholarship, which honors a former local player who was tragically killed in an off-road accident.
Kallan Malabad was honored during a special ceremony before a Bruin game this past week.
Adrian Newcomb is a former NRU player and standout at Blacksburg High School, who went on to play soccer at Mary Washington University. She ultimately graduated from Virginia Tech and was living and working in Fort Collins, Colorado when she was killed in 2019.
She played recreation league soccer as an adult at Virginia Tech, in Roanoke and in Fort Collins. Adrian was committed to a career in child development and education.
Unfortunately, Adrian lost her life in an accident before fulfilling her full promise. In her memory, and to assist those following similar career paths, NRU joined with the Newcomb family to put in place an endowment dedicated to supporting a perennial $500 scholarship.
According to the NRU Soccer Association, thanks to many generous donations from community members, the Newcomb family and New River United (NRU) have established a memorial scholarship to honor the passionate, talented and tenacious Newcomb.
During the presentation, NRU said Malabad is an excellent student, athlete, and community member – because of her well-rounded dedication to not only her own pursuits, but also helping others through the Alopecia Justice League, and her plans to continue volunteering with the alopecia community and youth soccer, Kallan was chosen as this year’s recipient of the Adrian Newcomb Memorial Scholarship.
Newcomb has played soccer with NRU since age four – including being chosen as captain of both club and high school soccer and track teams. She will continue her soccer career and education at Saint Michael’s College in Burlington, VT.
Funds donated (via the GoFundMe link below) to NRU in Adrian’s name will help to continue this scholarship for a college-bound NRU player.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/adrian-newcomb-memorial-scholarship.
