Andrew Warde High School: 2009

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Warde Alumnus to Lead Annual Christmas Sing-Along in Bridgeport on Sunday, December 13

B.A.C.I.O., Inc., an Italian cultural organization headed by Bridgeport ex-Mayor Leonard Paoletta, and Circolo Sportivo announce the Third Annual Christmas Carol Community Sing-Along on Sunday, December 13, at 3 PM, at Saint Margaret’s Shrine, 2539 Park Avenue, Bridgeport.

The volunteer choir and brass quartet will be conducted by Andrew Warde Class of 1976 graduate Tony Procaccini, Music Director of Saint Patrick Church, Bridgeport. Procaccini is pictured with the choir below at last year's event.

The music program will last an hour or less. A "special visitor" from the North Pole is expected for the children, and the children will be encouraged to sing with the choir, as they did last year in the photo below.

The first two editions of the sing-along brought together many residents of the Greater Bridgeport area for a pleasant afternoon of fun for both adults and children, in what may eventually develop into a long-standing and popular tradition.

Selections will include seasonal carols such as "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and well-known secular songs such as "Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town."

Volunteer singers interested in participating are asked to contact Procaccini at 718.873.7421 or mail to aprocaccini@juno.com. An optional general rehearsal is tentatively set for Friday evening, Dec. 11, in Bridgeport.

In case of inclement weather, the venue becomes the Circolo Sportivo building, directly across the street from the shrine. Light refreshments will follow.

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Friday, November 27, 2009

Alumni Travel Crosstown to Watch Warde Drop Thanksgiving Day Contest at Ludlowe, 24-14

The following article was written by Pat Pickens, sports editor of The Fairfield Citizen-News. The Mustangs dropped their second straight Thanksgiving Day clash against the Falcons and trail the modern-day version of the series, 3-2. Overall, the Warde Eagles/Mustangs lead the series with the Ludlowe Tigers/Falcons, 9 to 6.

As he watched teammate Rob Ferrara take a knee on the game's last play, Fairfield Ludlowe running back Nate Ryan knew what he and his team had accomplished.

The Falcons clinched their first winning season since the school re-opened in 2005 behind Ryan's 164 rushing yards and a pair of defensive scores as Ludlowe beat crosstown rival Fairfield Warde 24-14 in front of 3,500 at Taft Field.

"It means everything," Ryan said. "All of the hard work from August to now has paid off."

Ryan was named Ludlowe's MVP of the game. Warde junior running back Alex Delaney, seen defending Ludlowe's Nate Ryan below, had 110 all-purpose yards and was named the Mustangs' MVP.

The game turned in the second quarter when the opportunistic Falcons scored 17 points in a span of 1:35 with little help from its offense. Warde was in the midst of a 10- minute drive and had moved the ball to the Ludlowe 19-yard line when Mustangs quarterback Eric Burns had his pass tipped and then intercepted by Nick Rossomando, seen defending a pass below. The senior defensive back ran 90 yards to put the Falcons up 7-0.

"We were going in to score," Warde head coach Duncan DellaVolpe said. "I probably called the wrong play."

On Warde's next offensive play from scrimmage, Mustangs fullback Tommy McNamara fumbled and senior Steve Gasper took the ball 40 yards to the end zone to put the Falcons ahead 14-0. Ludlowe's two touchdowns came just 13 seconds apart. Warde muffed the ensuing kickoff and Ludlowe took over at the Warde 10.

The Falcons moved the ball to the Warde 4-yard line when kicker Zach Garoffolo blasted a 21-yard field goal to put Ludlowe ahead 17-0.

"It was definitely the turning point of the game," Ludlowe head coach Matt McCloskey said of the three straight scores. "Our defense has been stellar all year."

"The game changed in three minutes," DellaVolpe said.

Warde cut into the lead with a pair of second-half touchdowns, one by Delaney who went 30 yards on a screen pass from Burns to trim Ludlowe's lead to 17-7. Mike Jacob scored a fourth-quarter touchdown after the Mustangs recovered a fumble at the Ludlowe 13-yard line to pull Warde within 17-14.

"When you give up 17 points in three minutes, a lot of teams would pack up the tent," DellaVolpe said. "Our guys didn't."

But Ludlowe responded behind Ryan and the Falcons' offensive line. The junior running back took a sweep and bolted 72 yards for a touchdown to seal the Falcons' second consecutive win over its rival.

"I told the line, 'hold your blocks for a half more second and I'll pop one," Ryan said. "They blocked perfectly ... and it was all I needed."

McCloskey was proud of the depths his team had come from. The Falcons were 1-9 two years ago and since McCloskey has taken over at the start of the 2008 season, Ludlowe has a respectable 10-11 record. Ludlowe's four losses this season were to Central, New Canaan, Ridgefield and Staples. Those four teams have a combined record of 38-4.

"The program is starting to turn," McCloskey said. "In two years, to have a winning season, it means that they believe in the system and they're willing to work."

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Andrew Warde High School's Long-Forgotten and One-Sided Thanksgiving Day Football Rivalry With Kolbe Friars Took Place Over a Generation Ago

Fairfield Ludlowe High School will host the annual "Battle of Fairfield" this Thanksgiving morning when the Fairfield Warde Mustangs travel to Taft Field to play the Falcons at 10:30. Warde is attempting to take a 3-2 series lead against the Falcons in the latest edition of the rivalry which was renewed in 2005.

However, 41 years ago this month, Warde began a short-lived and all-but-forgotten Thanksgiving Day rivalry against a small private school in Bridgeport. Prior to the opening of Andrew Warde High School in 1956, cross-town rival Roger Ludlowe High School had an established Turkey Day football game against Bassick in Bridgeport.

That left the Crimson Eagles searching for a Thanksgiving Day opponent. So, how and why did the series with Kolbe eventually start? "We both needed a Turkey Day game, so a friendly, competitive situation developed," explained former Warde coaching legend Fern Tetreau. "Both teams played hard."

The Kolbe Friars, who didn't even have a field of their own, were Warde's opponents on Thanksgiving Day from 1968 through 1974. The only question prior to each of the first five games with Kolbe wasn't who would win, but by how much. Warde dominated the series from 1968 through 1972, winning two of the five games in shutout fashion and never allowing more than eight points in any game. Overall, Warde won all seven games in the series and outscored Kolbe, 214-44.

"The best part about our clash with Kolbe was that we never had a terrible turkey dinner," Tom Davis, a member of the Eagles' squads from 1970 through 1972, told me via email. "It was always enjoyable. We went into the game knowing that we were going to win. They may have thought that they were a better team but we knew that we would win."

The Crimson Eagles won the first meeting between the schools, 32-8, in 1968. One year later, Warde blasted Kolbe, 40-6. Quarterback Chico Rodriguez threw five touchdown passes to lead the Eagles. Steve DuBoys caught scoring strikes of 70, eight, and 87 yards to help Warde to a 20-0 lead after one quarter.

Rodriguez led the winners on a 76-yard drive to open the second quarter, culminating with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Al Cassidy. Mike Skalski caught an 87-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, and the Eagles closed the scoring in the fourth quarter when Jack Rozgonyi scampered five yards to paydirt.

The Eagles made it three in a row in 1970 when they posted a 20-6 victory in Fairfield. Warde traveled to Hedges Stadium in Bridgeport and earned its first of two straight shutout victories in 1971 (34-0). Quarterback Glen Hlavaty riddled the Friar secondary by passing for four touchdowns, leaving many wondering whether the Friars would ever win a game in the series, much less be competitive. However, even a new Kolbe coach couldn't change the Thanksgiving Day outcome in 1972.

According to the November 19, 1972 issue of the Bridgeport Sunday Post, "Kolbe High School football coach Paul Janosko is faced with a difficult assignment. In his first year as the Friars' mentor, he will try to lead his charges to their initial Thanksgiving Day triumph. With two fine performances in recent weeks, including a 40-18 triumph over Bullard Havens for their only victory, the Friars figure to give Warde a run for its money."

However, that was not to be as the Crimson Eagles buried Kolbe, 40-0. Warde finished the season at 3-6-1. Dividing the quarterback chores were Hlavaty and Davis. Running back Jim DelVecchio and placekicker Harry Caston were the scoring threats for Warde. Neil Karker and Frank Markoya were the sure-handed receivers for the Eagles.

"The '72 game was a really good game for us as we pounded them pretty good, and we all played a pretty good game," wrote Tom Davis, the younger brother of head coach Bill Davis. He noted that the games against Kolbe carried added significance for him and his brother.

"The Thanksgiving Day games were the only games my Dad saw me play as he owned his own business and worked on Saturdays, so those days were special for me." Overall, Warde outscored Kolbe, 166-20, after the first five games.

One year later, in 1973, the Kolbe gridders were a confident group heading into the Thanksgiving Day showdown with their Fairfield neighbors. According to the Bridgeport Sunday Post of November 18, 1973, "In five previous attempts, the Kolbe High School football team has failed in its quest to defeat Warde on Thanksgiving Day. That could all change as the Friars venture to the Crimson Eagles' gridiron in Fairfield for their sixth annual confrontation.

"Coach Paul Janosko's Friar combine has enjoyed a very successful season, posting a 4-5 MBIAC record. In two of the setbacks, the Friars led Harding, 14-0, at intermission before bowing, and lost in the final minute to St. Joseph, 14-12. Having already won more games than any other Kolbe eleven, Janosko has his troops primed for their first .500 season."

Once again, though, Warde prevailed. Senior halfback Ken Aiello exploded for 115 yards and two touchdowns in the second half to lead the Eagles to a 28-18 come-from-behind victory over the Friars in the 1973 Thanksgiving Day tussle. Aiello's fourth-quarter scoring runs of 11 and 54 yards erased an 18-14 Friar lead as the losers frittered away an opportunity to notch their first win in this Turkey Day series.

Aiello, who finished with 155 yards on the ground, was awarded the Most Valuable Player for Warde, while Kolbe halfback Ken Iassogna, who churned up 120 yards in 18 carries and scored a touchdown, was the Frairs' recipient.

"The Kolbe effort should rank as one of its strongest in this series as the Friars were in full command until the Crimson Eagles mounted a ferocious running attack in the second half to overpower the opposition," the newspaper article stated. Jim DelVecchio ran for a 74-yard touchdown in the third quarter for the victorious Eagles.

The final Thanksgiving Day matchup between the two rivals happened in 1974. The Eagles finished the seven-game sweep of Kolbe by posting a 20-6 victory in front of an estimated 4,000 fans in Fairfield. Warde linebacker Phil Cerrone came up with the big play as he killed a Kolbe scoring bid with a pass interception and an 82-yard return to set up an important insurance touchdown for Warde.

Cerrone, who gained the Most Valuable Player award for his crucial theft, intercepted Jamsey Codrington's pass in the right flat as Kolbe was driving toward the Warde goal line. Cerrone stepped in front of intended receiver Ira Thomas at the 10, picked off the pass, and rambled 82 yards to the Friars' eight. Two plays later, Harold Savage scored a touchdown from nine yards out, staking the Crimson Eagles to a 12-0 lead with 3:30 left in the game.

Warde put the finishing touches on its second victory of the season and final Thanksgiving Day win against Kolbe on its next series as an unsuccessful Kolbe onside kick gave the Eagles the ball at midfield, setting up Greg Aiello's 37-yard scoring gallop with 1:03 showing.

The following year, Andrew Warde High School's Crimson Eagles began a Thanksgiving Day football tradition against Roger Ludlowe High School. In fact, Warde defeated Ludlowe twice during the 1975 campaign, marking the only time in the long and storied history of the Fairfield football rivalry that one school swept two games in the same year against the other. As for Kolbe, it no longer fields a high school football team.

Paul

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Recalling Warde's Inaugural Thanksgiving Day Football Clash With Ludlowe in 1975

When the Warde Mustangs and Ludlowe Falcons take to the gridiron to face each other this Thursday morning, it will mark the 15th renewal of the Thanksgiving Day game between the two Fairfield rivals.

This will be the fifth consecutive year the teams have met since the Fairfield Board of Education decided to reopen a second high school at the Ludlowe site on Unquowa Road. The original series ended in 1984, and both schools consolidated into Fairfield High School at the Warde site four years later.

The Falcons won the first matchup of the modern-day series at Taft Field in 2005. However, the Mustangs captured the next two meetings, including a 28-0 cakewalk two years ago at Ludlowe and a 21-12 decision three years ago during the Warde field dedication ceremony and 50th anniversary of the school's opening on Melville Avenue. Ludlowe won a 10-8 nailbiter last year at Warde to even the current series at two games apiece.

Overall, Warde leads the Thanksgiving series, 9-5. The Andrew Warde Crimson Eagles won seven of the first ten games of the original series with Roger Ludlowe, including the very first Thanksgiving Day tussle against the Flying Tigers. That game, played in 1975, extended Warde's Thanksgiving winning streak to eight games after the Eagles won seven straight Turkey Day contests against Kolbe.

Warde's 1975 Thanksgiving game was the second of the season against Ludlowe. The Crimson Eagles already owned a 27-13 decision over the Tigers earlier that season. In the final game of the 1975 campaign, Steve Baxter, Warde's junior halfback, ran for three scores as the Eagles ripped the Tigers, 28-6, to complete the two-game sweep and begin a new tradition for both Warde and Ludlowe.

Eagles' senior placekicker Stephan Lang recalled the game. "Ludlowe actually had a good team in our time and would routinely beat Warde in the annual regular-season cross-town rivalry," he pointed out via email. "Well, in my last game ever at Warde, we actually beat them. I also set a school record for most field goal attempts in a game. I did kick a few extra points that day."

Warde skipper Bill Davis remains the only coach to ever win two games in a season against the cross-town rivals in the history of the series. Both of the 1975 victories came against Ludlowe's coaching legend, Emil Taft, after whom the Falcons' field is named.

"Bill was a very competitive person. He loved to win but was gracious in winning and never degraded an opponent after beating them," wrote Tom Davis via email about his late brother, who coached the Crimson Eagles from 1970 to 1979.

"Bill had a great respect for Emil Taft," he continued. "You have to remember he played against Emil's team when Bill played for Fern Tetreau and then coached against him. Bill considered Emil a great coach and a worthy opponent. You always feel that you have accomplished a great task when you beat Ludlowe and Emil Taft."

The Crimson Eagles opened the scoring midway through the first quarter. Baxter's 39-yard punt return to the Tigers' 46 yard line produced the first scoring threat for either team. Steve Cameron hauled in a pass giving Warde a first down at the Ludlowe 28. Four plays later, Warde had a first-and-goal at the one foot line, and Duane Meier busted in for the touchdown.

What happened next may have surprised most of the people in attendance that day, but not the Crimson Eagles. Lang faked the extra point kick and holder Jeff Anderson rolled to his right and hit a wide open Cameron for the two-point conversion and an 8-0 lead for the Eagles.

"It was in our game plan to fake it after our first touchdown," Lang pointed out. "Normally, I'd be in the huddle with the team before the play. This time I decided on my own to get theatrical and make like a real kicker and stay out of the huddle, setting my tee and pretending to do zen meditation or something, to help add to the charade.

"The ploy worked brilliantly, and we scored two points on a pass. I remember making an effort to block for the quarterback, but ending up doing a backflip in the air as the Ludlowe defender barrelled through me. Don't try this at home, kids!"

Ludlowe bounced right back, however, with a 19-play scoring drive that consumed 6:28 on the clock. Filling in for the injured Brian Curry, wide receiver Danny French took over as the quarterback for Ludlowe. Skillfully mixing a combination of runs and passes, three to sophomore Glen Mazzeo, French brought the Tigers to the Warde seven yard line. Curry then returned to the lineup and hit French with five yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-goal, producing the only points of the game for Ludlowe.

The Crimson Eagles missed out on an excellent scoring opportunity late in the first half when Baxter returned an errant Curry pass 53 yards to the Ludlowe five yard line with only 57 seconds remaining. But the Tigers' defense stiffened, however, and stopped the Eagles on five tries from inside the five yard line (Ludlowe was offside on one play), eventually recovering a Warde fumble on the one yard line.

Both teams struggled trying to move the football during much of the third quarter until Warde defensive tackle Kevin Shay came up with the big play, blocking a Ludlowe punt. Baxter, who seemed to be in the right place at the right time all day long for Warde, picked up the loose pigskin and rambled 26 yards to paydirt for a 15-6 Warde lead.

Coach Bill Davis' club built the advantage to 22-6 early in the fourth quarter, moving 60 yards in nine plays with Baxter breaking loose on a 16-yard touchdown run. The key play in the march was Anderson's 22-yard completion to Meier.

Baxter put the finishing touches on an outstanding game by intercepting his second pass of the afternoon and returning it 57 yards to the Ludlowe two yard line. He bulled over for the score on the next play.

Baxter was named Warde's Most Valuable Player, while Jamie Skultety of Warde was named the outstanding lineman. Scott Campbell was the Ludlowe MVP.

"Thanksgiving dinner was quite enjoyable," admitted Tom Davis, recalling the 1975 victory and family dinner afterward. "Bill never boasted about beating a team, especially Ludlowe. But I do have two footballs on my desk, one that is painted saying, 1973 Warde 16, Ludlowe 14 and the other 1975 Warde vs. Ludlowe 27-13 (regular season victory). I display them quite fondly and I am very proud, as they were my brother's after two great victories."

Paul

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Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Monday, November 23, 2009

Warde/Ludlowe Thanksgiving Football History

The fifth meeting of the renewal of the Thanksgiving Day football rivalry between Warde and Ludlowe high schools takes place this Thursday morning at 10:30 at the Falcons' home field on Unquowa Road. The teams have split the first four games since the rivalry was resurrected four years ago.

Here are the cumulative results of the Thanksgiving Day football games between Warde and Ludlowe. The original series between the Crimson Eagles and Flying Tigers took place from 1975 to 1984. The modern-day series between the Mustangs and Falcons began in 2005.

Andrew Warde Crimson Eagles vs. Roger Ludlowe Flying Tigers
1975 to 1984
(Series: Warde 7 Wins, Ludlowe 3 Wins)
1975: Warde Eagles 28, Ludlowe Tigers 6
1976: Warde Eagles 20, Ludlowe Tigers 13
1977: Ludlowe Tigers 20, Warde Eagles 13
1978: Ludlowe Tigers 35, Warde Eagles 6
1979: Ludlowe Tigers 41, Warde Eagles 25
1980: Warde Eagles 17, Ludlowe Tigers 14
1981: Warde Eagles 14, Ludlowe Tigers 8
1982: Warde Eagles 23, Ludlowe Tigers 0
1983: Warde Eagles 26, Ludlowe Tigers 6
1984: Warde Eagles 16, Ludlowe Tigers 13

Fairfield Warde Mustangs vs. Fairfield Ludlowe Falcons

2005 to 2008

(Series: Warde 2 Wins, Ludlowe 2 Wins)

2005: Ludlowe Falcons 20, Warde Mustangs 14

2006: Warde Mustangs 21, Ludlowe Tigers 12

2007: Warde Mustangs 28, Ludlowe Falcons 0

2008: Ludlowe Falcons 10, Warde Mustangs 8

Paul

Friday, November 13, 2009

Twenty-Four Crimson Crier Newspapers from the 1960s Through 1976 Now Available for Download

Twenty-four Andrew Warde High School Crimson Crier newspapers are available for download at andrewwarde.com. The PDF versions of the Crimson Crier are listed below. The quality is outstanding, and the text and photographs may even be enlarged if you so desire.

Special thanks to Todd Gukelberger of Vintage Images in Fairfield for formatting each page of the four issues from 1967-68 and every issue from 1972 through 1976. Thanks are also extended to Andrew Warde High School 1976 graduate, classmate, and ex-Crimson Crier photographer Andy Horton for lending the 1970s Criers to us and former editor-in-chief Gino Massafra for the 1967-68 issues.

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the PDF files, download it for free here. Also, if you have any old copies of the Crimson Crier from 1956 through 1987, I'd like to make them available online. Please contact me via email.

Please note that there is a link to the Crimson Crier archive in the left-hand margin. You'll be able to access the newspapers from that link. Just scroll down and click on the issue you wish to read.

Issues 1967-68
December 1967 issue of the Crimson Crier
January 1968 Issue of the Crimson Crier
March 1968 issue of the Crimson Crier
April 1968 issue of the Crimson Crier

Issues 1972
October 20, 1972
November 17, 1972
December 22, 1972

Issues 1973
February 16, 1973
April 6, 1973
December 1973

Issues 1974
February 1974
May 2, 1974
June 1974
June 25, 1974
October 1974
November 1974
December 1974

Issues 1975
February 1975
June 1975
October 1975

Issues 1976
January 1976
February 1976
March 5, 1976
March 16, 1976

Please help support the cost of operating this blog by purchasing a gift from my Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop. I would sincerely appreciate it.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Friday, November 06, 2009

Andrew Warde High School's House Plan Called a "Pace-Setter" & the Result of Practical Thinking

Andrew Warde High School's original design and house plan were the result of progressive thinking over a half century ago. The unique house plan, which divided the secondary school into four smaller units, provided an intimate atmosphere in which close relationships between students and teachers were fostered.

The photo below shows Andrew Warde High School in 1960. The school's practical design was a pace-setter at the time. The four houses included Wolcott, Smedley, Barlow, and Mason. Fitts House, which was constructed over a decade later, still remains the only house with its original name today. The two-story building is adjacent to Melville Avenue.

According to the 1960 Flame yearbook, "Through personal association with pupils, the purposes of the high school --- instruction, supervision, guidance, and administration --- are more easily achieved (with the house plan) while, at the same time, the student becomes an individual."

Consider that Roger Ludlowe High School, the town's only public high school prior to the opening of Warde in 1956, was located in what is now Tomlinson Middle School. Ludlowe was aging, overpopulated, and students attended classes in separate shifts throughout the school day.

Warde, on the other hand, was the sparkling jewel in Fairfield, and a tangible, practical result of progressive thinking. Each house enjoyed the advantages of a bigger school because certain facilities and equipment were shared. So, as the yearbook states, "the house plan is enriching our journey as a stop on the road to tomorrow."

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Warde Celebrates 50th Anniversary of 1959 Undefeated Crimson Eagles Football Team

They arrived one by one, gathering in the cafeteria to remember and celebrate an undefeated season 50 years ago. Eight members of Andrew Warde High School's 1959 state championship football team and their coach were invited back to their former high school for a trip down memory lane Friday night.

"It's a great thrill to be back and see the teammates and reminisce and see Coach Fern (Tetreau), who we get to see occasionally over the years," said Jack Schneider, who kicked the game-winning field goal against Bridgeport Central in the last game of the 1959 season to preserve Warde's undefeated record. "It's great to be back here at Andrew Warde."

Walt Beck, pictured above holding the jacket, was a tri-captain and all-state guard on that team. He was moved by the occasion. "We've lost a lot of guys (over the years)," he said. "That's sad. But, they're still here (in spirit)." Beck was especially happy to see Coach Tetreau, who was elected to the FCIAC Hall of Fame in 2008 and after whom the Warde field was named and dedicated in 2006.

Tetreau, pictured above looking at a photo of the 1959 team, still attends many Warde home football games. His heralded gridders, one of just four unbeaten high school teams in the state that year, posted six shutouts, including four straight to open the 1959 season, and they outscored their opponents, 175 to 24. The Eagles blanked arch-rival Roger Ludlowe High School, 26-0, to highlight that memorable season.

Following a reception in the Warde cafeteria, the former teammates watched the first half of action from just below the press box and rooted for the Mustangs. Schneider, Beck, Phil Golino, Larry Gill, Ed Magi, Ronnie Toth, Fred Gates, Dave Larsen, and Todd Flanagan, son of the late Jack Flanagan, joined Tetreau at the 50-yard line at halftime.

Tetreau received a hearty ovation from the crowd and spoke about his memories from that magical season. His former players were introduced individually and given plaques from Fairfield Warde High School athletic director Chris Manfredonia. Fairfield First Selectman Ken Flatto offered a proclamation saluting the accomplishments of the 1959 Andrew Warde Crimson Eagles.

Todd Flanagan, seen in the foreground in the photo below, was joined by his sister, Kerry, and their children. He brought a wealth of newspaper clippings, photos, and memorabilia which his father saved. They included detailed statistics and play-by-play descriptions of each game. Naturally, the guests of honor were riveted to the material.

Schneider vividly recalled the dramatic ending of the final game of the 1959 season, in which the Eagles were tied, 6-6, against Bridgeport Central. "We probably should have been ahead by quite a few more points than we were," he remembered. "We got down to the end of the game, and we were getting nip and tuck, and I guess we were down to the 30-yard-line or so.

"Fern Tetreau decided that it was time to kick a field goal," he continued. "We had practiced a lot of field goals during the year. (We) did not kick extra points in those days. As a matter of fact, we ran for two (points following touchdowns) during most of those games. So, we went in and kicked a field goal, and from that point on, the game kind of turned our way." Warde eventually won, 15-6.

Despite Warde's outstanding defense, Beck is still bothered by the first points scored against the Crimson Eagles during the fifth game of the season against Staples. "The first team that scored on us, I had the guy behind the line of scrimmage," said Beck, who had an interception in the victory over Bullard Havens.

"I had him," he lamented. "It was a screen pass, and he just stepped out of my tackle and went on and scored. A good friend of mine he turned out to be." Warde eventually blanked New Canaan and Ludlowe the following two weeks, so that was the only score yielded by the Crimson Eagles during the first seven games of the season.

"It was a great defensive unit," added Schneider, who has been the director of the Joe Namath Football Camp for the last 38 years. "We were just talking about that first touchdown being scored (against us). We almost felt like we lost the game."

What was the highlight for Beck 50 years ago? "Coming off the field after the last game," he answered, fighting back tears. Now, a half century later, Beck was back on that very same field with seven of his lifelong friends and former teammates as they were recognized and applauded for their tremendous season. It was well-deserved.

Paul

Friday, October 30, 2009

Jack Schneider Kicked Winning Field Goal in Last Game of Warde's 1959 Undefeated Season

Jack Schneider was one of eight former players from Andrew Warde High School's undefeated 1959 football team who attended a 50-year anniversary celebration at the school this evening. His field goal late in the fourth quarter of the final game of the season against Central broke a 6-6 tie and enabled the Eagles to finish with a 9-0 record.

Schneider, who also caught a 15-yard scoring pass from Al Bennett to highlight Warde's victory over Bullard Havens in 1959, has been the director of the Joe Namath Football Camp for 38 years. He played college football at St. Mary University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Here is my interview with him.

Jack Schneider Interview by PaulWXman

Paul

All-State Guard and Tri-Captain Walt Beck Returned to Andrew Warde on 50th Anniversary of Crimson Eagles' Undefeated 1959 Season

Walt Beck was perhaps the most emotional of all the former players who attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the Crimson Eagles' undefeated 1959 season. Beck joined seven of his former teammates and former Coach, Fern Tetreau, in the school cafeteria for a reception before receiving a commemorative plaque on the field at halftime. Here is my interview with him.

100 by PaulWXman

Beck, an all-state guard who went on to play at Boston College, had an interception in the win over Bullard Havens 50 years ago. However, he still laments a missed tackle against Staples which allowed the Wreckers to score the only points of the game during the fifth week of the 1959 campaign. That was the only score Warde allowed over the first seven games.

Paul

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

50th Anniversary of Crimson Eagles' Undefeated 1959 Football Team Featured in Online Article

Don Harrison, the founding editor of the Greenwich Citizen, a 15,500-circulation award-winning weekly newspaper, wrote an outstanding article celebrating the 50th anniversary of Andrew Warde High School's undefeated Crimson Eagles' football team. The article was posted this morning on fairfieldonlinenews.com.

Harrison, with whom I spoke yesterday, has enjoyed a lengthy career as an editor and writer for three daily newspapers and one weekly. He spent the first 18 years of his career in sportswriting with the New York Mirror, New Haven Journal-Courier and Waterbury Republican-American. He served as executive sports editor of the Waterbury newspapers and twice was voted Connecticut Sportswriter of the Year by his peers.

In his piece published today, Harrison wrote, "In the fall of 1959 there were four undefeated, untied high school football teams in Connecticut, all with seamless 9-0 records: Stamford, winner of the Waskowitz Trophy as the recognized state champion; Danbury, Maloney of Meriden, and Andrew Warde of Fairfield.

"Warde was the surprise member of this elite group. This was just its third football season, and few expected that a new program would be able to challenge Connecticut’s established powers.

"Credit Fern Tetreau. 'The Coach,' as he’s known to one and nearly all, assembled, molded and inspired this group of young men to reach the rarefied heights of a perfect season. Tetreau had enjoyed coaching success at Roger Ludlowe before accepting the challenge to launch the Warde program in 1957."

The article includes anecdotes from Tetreau, pictured at the left in the 1959-60 Flame yearbook, Eagles' all-state guard Walt Beck, and Mike Tetreau, Fern's son, who was a seven-year-old waterboy for his Dad years before attaining stardom as the quarterback at Roger Ludlowe High School.

Beck has mixed feelings about the 50th anniversary festivities, according to Harrison, although he plans to attend. “When I found out they were doing this,” Beck said, “I wondered if I were sitting in the stands in 1959 and they brought out the team of 1909.” He paused and chuckled. “These kids aren’t going to relate with us.”

I know you'll enjoy the story.

Fairfield Warde High School will commemorate the 50th anniversary of that unforgettable season with a special halftime ceremony at this Friday evening's game against St. Joseph High School of Trumbull.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Monday, October 26, 2009

Warde Gridders Blanked New Canaan, 16-0, for Sixth Straight Win and Fifth Shutout During Undefeated Campaign 50 Years Ago Today

This is the sixth of a nine-part series which will recap each of Warde's victories during the undefeated football season of 1959 on the exact date each game was played.

Fairfield Warde High School will commemorate the 50th anniversary of that unforgettable season with a special halftime ceremony at this Friday evening's game against St. Joseph High School of Trumbull.

Andrew Warde High School's unbeaten Crimson Eagles traveled to New Canaan and blanked the host Rams, 16-0, 50 years ago today for their sixth straight gridiron victory during the undefeated state championship season of 1959.

Although the Eagles moved through the middle of the New Canaan defensive line almost at will, they were unable to score until the third quarter. Halfback Larry Gill staged a one-man drive, moving the pigskin from the Warde 40-yard-line to paydirt on six consecutive carries, including a 38-yard jaunt around his left end.

His last three bursts, including the touchdown run, were for six yards each on identical thrusts off left tackle. Gill added two conversion points on a similar play.

Warde's second touchdown came the next time the Eagles had possession of the ball as they engineered another sustained running drive and netted five straight first downs while covering 70 yards. Fullback Jack Flanagan capped the surge with three up-the-middle three-yard plunges for the score. Gill once again rushed for the two extra points to seal the triumph.

Warde's line, a key factor in the success of the Eagles since the season started, was superb again against New Canaan. Center Dave Schempp, subbing for the injured Ed Zelle, was particularly impressive on defense, while standout performances were also turned in by tackles Jim Roberto and Fred Gates.

The Eagles rolled to 217 yards on the ground, 156 of which came in the second half, as they fashioned their fifth shutout in six games.

Paul

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Friday, October 23, 2009

Fairfield Warde High School to Honor 1959 Undefeated State Championship Crimson Eagles' Football Team Next Friday, October 30, at 7 p.m.

Fairfield Warde High School athletic director Chris Manfredonia is looking forward to next Friday night. That's when the Mustangs will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Andrew Warde High School's undefeated state championship football team from 1959.

Ceremonies will take place during halftime of the Mustangs' game against St. Joseph High School of Trumbull, which begins at 7:00 p.m. The current Warde squad started the season with three straight victories, including the season-opener against Darien, but dropped its last two contests to fall to 3-2.

Fifty years ago, the Crimson Eagles' gridders completed a perfect 9-0 record under head coach Fern Tetreau in just their fourth season of play. The school opened three years earlier in September of 1956. The squad boasted an especially strong defensive unit and christened the season by shutting out its first four opponents.

"Former players and coaches from that team will be recognized on the field by First Selectman Ken Flatto, as well as members of the FWHS athletic department," Manfredonia told me. "They will be given a commemorative plaque that includes a team picture as well as the scores from their games that season."

Coach Tetreau, who still attends all the Warde home games, recently told me that he was very uncertain as to how the season would play out a half-century ago. "We had a very young ballclub," he admitted. "I did not know what we had (in terms of talent or potential). I was hoping we would win half our ball games."

According to the 1959-60 Flame yearbook, when the school first opened in 1956, "the Warde Eagles were the stepping stones of the district football teams, but this year they were a team to be reckoned with."

The team was greatly dependent upon the sturdy line which included all-state tackle Walt Beck, Ed Magi, Ed Zelle, Walt Ruby, Fred Gates, Jim Roberto, Jack Schneider, Don Kessler, Dave Schempp, and Jeff Lebowitz.

While the defense held nine opponents to a cumulative total of 24 points and shut out six of them, the offense opened up wide gaps in the opponents' lines for the hard-running backfield. The potent rushing attack included fullback Jack Flanagan, wingback Al Bennett, quarterbacks Howie Ratner and Joe Vige, and tailback Larry Gill, pictured below.

The records speak for themselves. Warde whitewashed Bassick's green-and-white to start the campaign, 22-0. For the first time in school history, the Eagles defeated Darien, 16-0. The Warde eleven continued its shutout streak by blanking Norwalk, 12-0, in a hard-fought contest, and then made it four in a row with a 32-0 romp over the Bullard Havens Tech Tigers.

Overconfidence, however, may have caused a slight letdown, and Staples became the first team to score against the Eagles in a 14-6 Warde victory. The Crimson Eagles recuperated quickly, though, and overpowered New Canaan, 16-0, and cross-town rival Ludlowe, 26-0. Warde completed its first undefeated season by trouncing Stratford, 22-12, and knocking off Central in a thriller, 15-6.

The Flame yearbook discussion noted, "Thanks to the determination of the boys, the patience of the coaches --- Fern Tetreau and Russ Dobelstein --- and the support of the student body, Warde was able to win a CIAC football award of merit to climax a great season."

"It’s always nice to recognize and remember the accomplishments of former players and teams," added Manfredonia, who said that Coach Tetreau and players Jack Schneider, Bill Golino, and Walt Beck have accepted invitations to attend the ceremony. "It allows current players to share in the achievements of former teams, and builds a memory for not only the 1959 team, but the current one as well."

Paul

Special thanks to Donna Green, a 1968 graduate of Andrew Warde High School and current secretary to headmaster James Coyne at Fairfield Warde High School, for donating the 1959-60 Flame yearbook for this article.

Thanks are extended to Fairfield Warde High School athletic director Chris Manfredonia for organizing the ceremony and for inviting me to serve as master of ceremonies.