Holiday Basketball Tournament Brings Back Hoop Memories from Over a Generation Ago

The Fairfield Prep Holiday Basketball Tournament is scheduled tonight and tomorrow. The tournament brings back a flood of memories for AWHS alumni Tony Procaccini, Joe O'Brien, and Joe Murtha. Here are some memories they share with us from local high school basketball in the 1970s.

AWHS Class of 1976 30-year reunion committee president Tony Procaccini wrote the following:

When we were juniors, a Warde-Danbury basketball game one Friday night was canceled due to snow (a little blizzard, actually). Bob Henry, Joe O'Brien and I drove, maybe walked, to Central HS to see Central against Harding, two of the state's top teams. EVERY OTHER GAME WAS CANCELED THAT NIGHT, MBIAC and FCIAC, but they still played to a PACKED house. What we saw in the warm-ups (the better jumping, supreme athleticism, et al) astounded us, being FCIAC boys. Then, the game started, and our jaws dropped.

That night we saw Wes Matthews, Cedric Cannon, Aldo Samuel (a 5-year student for Harding) and others we had only read about before that night. I was hooked on the MBIAC from that night.It's hard to forget a night like that, when one's eyes are opened forever. And, of course, I went to see those teams on other occasions, too. Bassick was also great to watch, with Kevin Bohannon, Bagley and Garriss. And I continued to read about them, especially Harding, as they won more many state titles under then-coach Kish (Ed or Jim?) and then under Charlie Bentley. Bridgeport can justifiably take pride in their exploits.

It was a great era in high school basketball, and right in our backyard.

Wilbur Cross (of New Haven), then the state's strongest team for many years, played Warde in a non-league game when we were freshmen. Bengie was able to get them on our schedule somehow, he remembers it well. They beat us, I think it was, 109-56, a totally lopsided score. And I remember Soup Campbell walking by me after the players had showered, when the game was over. I looked up at him vertically. Me? 5'6", maybe. Him? 6'9", I think. He wore a long coat, looked cool, and made an impression on me, obviously.

Tony Procaccini

Classmate Joe O'Brien adds the following postscript:

Just to briefly fill in some additional details: I believe we walked to the Central-Harding game. I remember because one of us nailed a car with a snowball on Park Avenue on our walk home in the blizzard.

Also, at that time it was my understanding that slam-dunking was not allowed in a high school game. Regardless, Wes Matthews on a one-on-three fast break crammed one against Central. It was negated but the crowd went wild, "Hit 'em side the head".

Also, junior year, I recollect playing JV roundball against Kolbe at the Shehan Center. It was hard for me to understand how that place with the rickety old baskets could be their home court. You know that 5" square of metal that normally holds the rim to the backboard? Well, it didn't exist. Instead the rim was held on with metal tubing coming up from the bottom of the backboard, sort of suspending the rim out there in space. It had a lot of give to it. I'm sure some of the CYO folks remember the same.

Joe O'Brien

Here are some more memories from Joe Murtha:

I remember well those high school state championship tourneys we used to go to all the time. It was always the extraordinary altheticism of the inner city Bridgeport and Hartford teams against those staid but sure shooters from suburban South Catholic and the like. What a contrast of styles.

I remember being jaw dropped by the Harding team with their "little" guy, Williams (no more than 5' 10" if memory serves) dunking with ease during warm-ups. In fact EVERYONE on both the Harding and Bassick teams could dunk. It was staggering.

I also remember those rubberized Sheehan Center hoops Joe was talking about. You could NEVER get a true bounce on those damn things. I remember a particulalry humbling CYO game where I decided it was a good idea to attempt a little 10 footer from the baseline against Walt Luckett's younger and far less famous brother - and the guy just freaking pummelled the ball into the seats for my effort. Damn was that an eye opener for me.

My young nephew, Pat Murtha, now plays on the Jockey Hollow team from Monroe and they've recently played in tournaments down at the Sheehan Center. Yet another generation of players starting out at that now historic local facility. Pretty cool. Does anybody remember a game we attended at some tiny gymnasium somewhere - we were there austensibly to see this reported "phenom" from upper NY State somewhere? Highly touted prospect, McDonald's All American - I'm pretty sure his name was Charlie Brown? (believe it or not).

And one of the best games ever at Warde was the Soup Campbell game - Hartford freaking Public playing against Andrew Warde of Fairfield - in Fairfield. Geez. And somebody (as per normal) threw the requisite can of Campbell's soup out onto the court at some point during the game...I also remember driving out to Providence RI with Bob and others one Saturday afternoon to see some excellent college tournament games featuring the Friars as well as URI - both of which had pretty good teams in those days...Man, did we see some great basketball back then. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Joe Murtha

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"A Different and Exciting Era" in Local High School Basketball in the 1970s

This essay, written by AWHS Class of 1976 30-year committee president Tony Procaccini, is a follow-up to the entry about the annual Fairfield Prep Holiday Basketball Tournament involving Fairfield's four high schools.

In my opinion, the two Fairfield MBIAC teams Paul mentions, Notre Dame and Fairfield Prep, were very strong because they played in a more competitive league, the MBIAC, with "city schools," like Central, Harding and Bassick. MBIAC teams sent many players to college and to the pros: names from our era like Wes Matthews, John Bagley and John Garriss come to mind quickly.

Dave Liptak was an all-MBIAC star who played for Prep back then (class of 1976), and his brother Paul attended Warde. Paul was Warde class of 1975, and played baseball alongside many of us. Dave later went on to play at Harvard, and also became a success story in the world of finance. He donated a significant sum to the Shehan Center (Bridgeport) some years later, in appreciation of his formative years there.

Dave was and still is close friends with Warde 1976 classmates Paul Rossitto, Dante Gallucci, Mike Jann and others. Before I forget, here are a few other names I remember from those holiday tournament games, and from that era in general: (Ludlowe) Brian Lee and Henry "Skip" Skibba; (Notre Dame) Kelly Lombard.

OK, getting back to the MBIAC...Warde 1976 classmates Bob Henry, Joe O'Brien, Joe Murtha and I started attending MBIAC games in our junior year, and we were hooked. As a result, we started following state tournament games, often going to the afternoon semi-final doubleheaders in Hartford or New Haven. We saw the likes of South Catholic of Hartford and their stellar shooting guard John Basile play against Bassick (two years in a row they met), followed by another great match-up on the same afternoon. The New Haven and Hartford public schools fielded excellent teams then, too. Schools like Wilbur Cross, Lee and Hillhouse, with players like Bruce "Soup" Campbell and John "Jiggy" Williamson. Again, these were "city schools."

For the state tournament games, schools were grouped by four sizes then, LL being the largest, and going from that designation to L, M and S (smallest). "S" school Saint Joseph's of Trumbull (also MBIAC) frequently defeated the other S schools from all over the state, and would win S class crowns handily, again (I believe) because they played against city schools during the regular season. Does the name Dick Shea ring a bell? He was their star in the mid-1970s.

A brief story might explain the seriousness to which MBIAC teams took their basketball. As an employee of the Suburban Parochial League (scorekeeper a few years, then director one year,) I saw Vito Montelli, then the St. Joseph's coach, scouting grammar school players. Yes, from the city's Catholic grammar schools. I saw these well-trained kids with names like Noccioli, Creatura and Crespo while in grammar school. The same kids who went on to play at the high school level.

Yes, it was a different and very exciting era in local basketball. One I'll never forget.

Tony Procaccini

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Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Fairfield's Four High School Boys' Basketball Teams Battle on the Court Again

One of the post-Christmas sports traditions in Fairfield has been the annual Fairfield Prep Holiday Boys' Basketball Tournament featuring the town's four secondary schools. The first two games are scheduled tonight, including a matchup between Fairfield Warde and host Fairfield Prep. The game is scheduled for 7:30 at Alumni Hall on the campus of Fairfield University.

The evening's lidlifter pits Fairfield Ludlowe High School against Notre Dame High School of Fairfield at 6:00 p.m. The winners meet in the championship game tomorrow evening at 7:30. The consolation game at 6:00 p.m. precedes the title contest.

During our senior year at Warde (1975-76), though, the tournament was a round-robin event with each public school playing a different private school each night. The first night, Andrew Warde dropped a 70-57 decision to Notre Dame, and the following night, the Crimson Eagles fell to Fairfield Prep, 67-58.

That Warde team of over a generation ago won only five of 20 games. The Eagles eventually lost a lopsided 80-47 game to Ludlowe later in the year. According to the Flame yearbook, "Coach (Ed) Bengermino's team was forced to field inexperienced players and concentrate on next year."

The four-team tournament was originally crafted to afford an opportunity for the public and private schools to play each other in a local setting at a Division I college facility. Over a generation ago, Warde and Ludlowe, the town's public high schools, played in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference, while Fairfield Prep and Notre Dame were members of the Metropolitan Bridgeport Interscholastic Athletic Conference.

Prep and Notre Dame arguably always had the stronger teams since each private school was able to draw the best students and athletes from across southwestern Connecticut. Warde and Ludlowe, on the other hand, were limited by geography, and could only fashion teams comprised of players from their own "backyards," so-to-speak. That made for a somewhat uneven playing field (or basketball court).

The success of both Prep and Notre Dame is evident when glancing at the record books. The Lancers captured the MBIAC boys' basketball championship in 1963, '64, '65, '66, and 1972. Later, as members of the Connecticut Coastal Interscholastic Athletic Conference, the squad won titles in 1980, '81, '89, '91, '93, and '94. Prep was always among the region's and state's elite basketball programs, too.

Andrew Warde High School's shining moment came in 1973 when the boys' basketball team captured the FCIAC Eastern Division crown. The early 70s featured outstanding players such as Mike Abraham, Dave Schulz, and Glenn Mackno, and the trio led Warde to its division title in the 1972-'73 campaign.

For the most part, the holiday tournament has allowed Prep and Notre Dame to shine. The opening night's card once again matches the public schools against their private school counterparts. I wouldn't be surprised to see Warde and Ludlowe play each other tomorrow night in the consolation game.

It's still a great opportunity to watch four high school boys' basketball games involving Fairfield's four high schools in a college setting. There is tremendous history to this tournament and Alumni Hall, which was home to the Division I Fairfield University Stags for many years before they moved to the new arena in Bridgeport.

Good luck to the Warde Mustangs tonight against Fairfield Prep and tomorrow night, too.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film."

Happy 60th Anniversary to Mr. & Mrs. Guerra

I noticed Ben Guerra and his wife, Margaret, sitting in the front pew at church this afternoon. Mr. Guerra is an usher each Sunday afternoon at St. Pius X Parish in Fairfield. His wife had been ill, so I was pleased to see both of them together for the first time in quite some time.

Midway through the service, our pastor, Father Larry, informed the congregation after his homily that Mr. and Mrs. Guerra were happily celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary today.

Mr. Guerra taught at Andrew Warde High School from 1958 until 1979, deciding to retire before Warde consolidated with Roger Ludlowe High School to form Fairfield High School at the Melville Avenue campus. "Oh, they were the best years of my life," he recently told me. "I loved it. I always liked to work with kids and teenagers."

Mr. Guerra, who was born in New York but moved with his Mother to Cuba at the age of two, returned to the United States when he was 27. Originally, he was a teacher in the Bridgeport school system, working with special education students at Longfellow School. He later moved to Harding High School before arriving at Warde

He began teaching at Andrew Warde shortly after the school opened in 1956, and it quickly became a second home for him for the next 21 years.

Mr. Guerra met his wife while they both taught on Staten Island in New York. Later, they taught together in Madison, Connecticut. Margaret became a teacher at Oldfield School in Fairfield while Ben taught at Andrew Warde.

Ben Guerra is one of the most well-respected, dignified, and honorable gentleman this typist has ever met. We exchange handshakes and good wishes each Sunday at church. I continue to admire Ben Guerra for the outstanding educator he was and the wonderful gentleman he is.

Happy 60th anniversary to Ben and Margaret Guerra.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Holiday Greetings from 30-Year Reunion President

Dear Friends of AWHS 1976,

On behalf of our 30-Year Reunion Committee, I extend Season's Greetings to you and yours!The year 2007, though not a reunion year, was again a busy one for us. We constantly updated our Class Web, Paul Piorek added numerous articles to his Class Blog, and we found approximately 12 previously "lost" students.

Classmate Darlene DeSiena and her Marine son Christopher are currently highlighted on the Web home page, plus a photo album. Classmates wishing to send in similar updates and photos are encouraged to do so. Future installments will focus on Jerry Vigorito, Andy Horton and Russell Nagy.

The same information is also gladly accepted by Paul Piorek for his blog. I encourage you to help him by providing text and photos, which can be sent to him and/or to me. Our class owes a HUGE debt of gratitude to Paul for his efforts. If you still need gift ideas, they can be found there, too. Proceeds help various charities.

Anyone wishing to meet with classmates on Saturday evening, Jan. 5, 2008, at Testo's in Bridgeport should advise me. The committee is meeting at 6:00 PM, while others may join us at 7:00 PM. That's also classmate Billy DiStasi's 50th birthday.The committee has two projects: a 50th class Birthday Party in 2008, and the creation of a scholarship.

Classmates interested in helping with either endeavor should advise me.

Again, Season's Greetings to all, and we hope to see you soon.

Tony Procaccini

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Candlelight Concert Remembered

The holiday season is here, and so are many of the annual traditions which make this time of the year so festive and special. Fairfield Warde High School held its annual holiday concert last night, and I'm sure the performance was enjoyed by all.

Do you remember the Candelight Concert during our sophomore year at Andrew Warde High School? The event was staged on December 12, 1973, in the AWHS auditorium, and it included the members of the choirs and band.

Some of the band members included Cheryl Sladicki (oboe), Debbie Elstein, JoAnne Kassay, and Kerry Washburn (flute), Vicky Marx and Donna Provolo (clarinet), Lisa Feroleto and Jeff Thornton (bass clarinet), Marc Joseph and Russell Pander (alto sax), and Michael Petraglia (baritone sax).

Other members included Daniel Barnoski, Edward Kish, Mark Madwed, Russell Nagy, Brian Pander, Robert Quintiliani, and Robert Ventresca (trumpet), Doug Coventry (baritone horn), Bruce Asanoff, Jill Niedermeier, and Scott Thornton (trombone), Andrew Wartenberg (sousaphone), Stephan Lang and Tony Procaccini (string bass), and Stephen Baxter and Mark Rasmussen (percussion).

Also featured was The Treble Clef, a new girls' glee club at Warde in 1973, and it emphasized theatre, folk, and popular music. It was an extra-curricular activity with a weekly rehearsal schedule.

Acknowledgements included Mr, Guerra (director of activities), Lynn Bobowick (program cover), Mr. Olah (stage crew), and Mr. Trifone (graphic arts). Sponsors were Mrs. Triolo (choir and treble clef) and Mr. German (band).

The administrators at the time included Mr. Petersen (headmaster), Mr. Strout (assistant headmaster), and Mr. Dunbar (music coordinator).

Do you remember the Candlelight Concert? Do you have any other memories of any of the holiday concerts during our years at Andrew Warde High School? I'd love to hear from you. Please feel free to contact me with any stories or photos you'd like to share.

Happy Holidays.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Holiday Shopping at the AWHS Gift Shop

How about giving a unique gift this holiday season? Just visit the Andrew Warde High School gift shop and take a look at all the clothing, novelties, and souvenirs available with our high school name and logo.

Shopping has never been easier, safer, or more enjoyable. Just relax in the comfort of your own home and browse the wide variety of gifts from the online shop. Your personalized order will be delivered in a matter of days.

Choose from sweatshirts, baseball shirts, 2008 wall calendars, clocks, book bags, and much, more more.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School gift shop today!

Paul

Warde History 101

Roger Ludlowe's brother. Utah's state bird. "Something Warde." Those were just a few of the answers from the current students at Warde High School as to whom our school is named after.

When the Fairfield Board of Education decided to reopen arch-rival Ludlowe High School in 2004, it was decided that our school, known as Fairfield High School from 1988 to 2003, would be renamed Fairfield Warde High School, dropping its original first name.

As a result, I wanted to know if the current students had any idea as to the origin of the school's name. For over three decades, from 1956, when the school originally opened, to 1987, Andrew Warde High School was one of two public high schools in town. Over a generation of Crimson Eagles graduated from our Melville Avenue campus.

My good friend Natalie, a senior at Warde, polled a fairly representative number of students at my request. Thirteen of the 23 students (56 percent) who were polled correctly answered Andrew Warde. The remaining 10 students (44 percent) had a wide variety of answers, including "Something Warde," "That guy," and "Fairfield."

I'm guessing that very few of the students have any idea as to the original mascot of the school. When I attended the Warde homecoming football game a few months ago, I wore my "Andrew Warde Crimson Eagles" sweatshirt to the contest. Everyone who noticed the shirt didn't have any idea the original mascot was the Crimson Eagle.

Special thanks to Natalie for helping me with the survey. I wish her well during her senior year at Warde High School.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".