Andrew Warde High School Gymnasium Hosted First Basketball Game 52 Years Ago This Week

The Andrew Warde High School boys' basketball team played for the very first time in its new gymnasium 52 years ago this week. Although the Crimson Eagles made a very good showing against Stratford's unbeaten and heavily-favored basketball team on Friday evening, January 25, 1957, the North Paraders gained their 12th straight victory by a 55-40 margin and swept the two-game series.

The visiting North Paraders pulled away to a six-point lead in the closing minutes of the first period and remained ahead by a fairly comfortable margin thereafter. However, the Eagles made it an interesting battle compared to Stratford's 71-42 runaway triumph in their previous contest.

Stratford scored only one more field goal than Warde, 17 to 16, but the North Paraders turned in an excellent performance on the foul line as they made 21 out of 28 free throw chances. The Eagles sank only eight free throws in 23 chances.

The North Paraders jumped out to a 15-9 lead after the first quarter as Dick Ross sank four free throws in the closing minutes, and they widened the gap to 30-17 at halftime. Warde made its best showing in the third period and cut its deficit to 43-32. However, the Fairfield team never got any closer than eight points the rest of the way.

Rich Marinaccio was a standout performer both offensively and defensively for Stratford, and he led all scorers with 16 points, including eight free throws. Captain Lou Horner, who started strong by scoring seven points in the first period, was closely guarded thereafter, but finished with a 13-point total. Ross contributed 10 points, while rangy Ted Robinson and Pete Greenwood tallied eight apiece for the North Paraders.

Lou Kochis was Warde's top scorer with 15 points, while six-foot-three Dick Dakai and Chris Costello registered seven points each for the hosts.

The Warde jayvees defeated the Stratford junior varsity team, 53-41, in the preliminary game. Laurie Taylor was high scorer for the winners with 11 points, while Dewey Amos led the guests with 16 points.

Paul

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Andrew Warde Graduate Part of Distinguished Team at Barnum Museum Program to Relive Bridgeport's Heyday on Saturday, January 31

The Barnum Museum invites area residents to relive the heyday of the Park City when downtown Bridgeport was a hot spot in the area. The team of former mayor Len Paoletta, Jeffrey Williams, and Tony Procaccini will bring the story of old Bridgeport to life with fond remembrances as they tour through the museum’s exhibitions at a program scheduled for Saturday, January 31, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Everyone is invited to join this informal discussion and share their personal memories of the people, places and historical events that happened in Bridgeport, focusing primarily on the period from 1900 to 1950. The hope is that the collective memories of everyone at this event will help create an excitement about Bridgeport’s unique place in society starting at the turn of the century.

Leonard Paoletta is one of the most-highly respected and admired figures in recent Bridgeport history. He is a former mayor of the city and founder and president of the non-profit group B.A.C.I.O., Inc. (Bridgeport Area Cultural Italian Organization). This organization promotes and fosters Italian culture via a variety of methods. BACIO's web is www.bacioinc.com.

Jeffrey Williams has produced numerous Bridgeport calendars, including Bridgeport by the Sea 2009, the most recent offering. On Saturdays from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., he hosts the popular weekly show "At the Ritz!" on WVOF FM 88.5. He has interviewed Frank Sinatra, Jr., Les Brown, Sr., Mickey Rooney, Gene Wilder and Artie Shaw. Visit www.attheritz.org. The accompanying photographs are from his Bridgeport By the Sea 2009 calendar.

Anthony Procaccini, a Fairfield native and 1976 graduate of Andrew Warde High School, is music director of Saint Patrick's Church, Bridgeport, a Frank Sinatra historian, a former long-time accompanist of Benny Rae, and a Bridgeport history enthusiast. For more on Procaccini, visit www.freewebs.com/tonyproca.

The Barnum Museum has three floors of absolutely fascinating exhibits that illustrate the extraordinary life of Phineas Taylor Barnum. P.T. Barnum, one-term mayor of Bridgeport and four-term member of the Connecticut General Assembly, was born July 5, 1810 in Bethel and died April 7, 1891 in Bridgeport. The original museum building, owned by the City of Bridgeport, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is handicap accessible.

What: Bridgeport Nostalgia Walk and Discussion
When: Saturday, January 31 at noon - 1:30 p.m.
Where: The Barnum Museum, 820 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT
Cost: The event is free with General Admission; Adults: $7, Seniors and college students: $5, Children 4 - 17: $4, Under 4: Free

The regular Barnum Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, Noon - 4:30 p.m. Call 203-331-1104 ext. 102 or visit http://www.barnum-museum.org/.

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Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Statewide 'Student Bill of Rights' Proposed by Andrew Warde High School Student 39 Years Ago This Week

A proposal for a statewide meeting of high school students to formulate a student bill of rights was made by an Andrew Warde High School student at a meeting of the Fairfield county chapter of the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union, Monday evening, January 12, 1970.

According to a story published 39 years ago today, Marc Cohen said he would meet with students from 10 other towns to plan the meeting, which centered on several cases concerning rights in which the CCLU chapter is involved.

Cohen gave a report on this and other activities in Fairfield involving student rights. He discussed the meeting of the Board of Education a week earlier at which students and what he called "right-wingers" were heard.

He also pointed out the failure of the board to answer a bill of particulars which the Fairfield Student Union presented to it two months earlier. The issue concerns a situation which began when a faculty member did not allow a student to read a position paper on Vietnam over the school's loudspeaker system.

Another Fairfield student told of a situation in which he was suspended for five days for handing out what school officials called obscene material. He said that he had given some underground newspapers to some of his friends and was suspended for doing that.

An issue has been raised by local lawyers who have discussed the matter with local officials, it was reported. The issues concern student rights, whether there was distribution, and whether students should be limited as to which materials should be distributed, among others.

This was supported by Cohen, who said he had been given varying sets of rules by school officials as to where and at what time his paper could be distributed.

Paul

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Andrew Warde High School's Father & Son Hockey Combination Made Headlines 33 Years Ago

Longtime local high school hockey coaching legend Marty Roos is hoping to earn his 500th career victory this Wednesday night when his Notre Dame High School of Fairfield skaters face Immaculate of Danbury at the Milford Ice Pavilion. Thirty-three years ago this month, however, Roos was coaching his son, Perry, at Fairfield Prep.

On the other side of town, meanwhile, Arnie Larsen skippered the Andrew Warde High School hockey team, captained by his son, Andy. The father and son combinations at both Fairfield high schools made headlines in a feature story in the January 18, 1976 edition of the Bridgeport Post.

"I ride back and forth to the games in my own car," the elder Roos, a Prep coaching legend, was quoted as saying in the article. His son, Perry, the Jesuits' captain in 1975-76, said, "It's definitely added pressure with my father as the coach."

"I think I would play better under a different coach than my father," said Crimson Eagles' hockey captain Andy Larsen, pictured first from the left in the front row below. "He would prefer me not coaching him," answered Arnie, his Dad and the founder of the Warde hockey program.

The article states that while their fathers do the coaching from behind the bench, Perry Roos and Andy Larsen do the skating on the ice. It's been that way for both players ever since they decided to lace up their skates.

"I guess you could say I followed in my father's footsteps," admitted Andy, the team's leading scorer. "He plays tennis, too, and so do I." And the younger Larsen played it well, considering he won the Connecticut High School singles championship in the Spring of 1975.

Both players, Andy and Perry, played in the Bridgeport Youth Hockey program in their younger days when, again, their fathers were their coaches.

"He's really pushed me and contributed a great deal to my success," acknowledged Perry about his father, who coached his 50th victory against North Branford in the 1975-76 season. "But it's definitely added pressure with your father as the coach. I remember one game my freshman year against Ludlowe, I made two mistakes which cost us two goals and we lost the game and didn't make the state tournament because of it. I felt really bad and thought about calling it quits that night. But I got over it."

Larsen, however, saw things from the other side of the fence. "I have problems with my father as coach," said Warde's 1975 soccer most valuable player. "I can only do so much. Things just don't work with him as the coach. I want to do things by myself, and when I tell him I want to try something different on the ice, he always yells to me that he's the coach.

"Now and then the pressure would be taken off if I was playing under a different coach," the younger Larsen continued. "But I'm pretty used to it by now."

It's not easy from behind the bench, either. Both coaches have to avoid any signs of favoritism, yet their sons are the team leaders and the ones their teammates are going to look to when the going gets tough.

"He's the acknowledged leader," Arnie said about his son. "The kids voted for him as captain. He's played a lot of hockey, and it comes natural to him. I don't bring the game home with me, and I try to do better next time.

"I tell him (Andy) something that he should do and he'll absorb it. He'll pick it up," Arnie added. "Still, we think differently on a lot of things in a game. For instance, he's a center and he has to play out away from the corners ready for a break. Yet, he'll go in the corners a lot and dig the puck out himself even though I tell him not to. I know, though, that he would rather not have me coaching him."

Both Andy at Warde and Perry at Prep performed brilliantly during their scholastic careers. Perry scored his 100th point on December 27, 1975, in a 17-1 romp over Lee High School of New Haven. Overall, he had 44 goals and 67 assists by mid-January of 1976. While Andy hadn't reached the 100-point plateau as of yet, he had tallied 57 goals for the Crimson Eagles.

Please take a look at my special five-part series on the early days of the Andrew Warde High School hockey program. It is linked here.

Paul

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Andrew Warde High School Class of 1976 Product Announces Contemporary Music Mass, Sunday, January 18, at St. Patrick's Parish in Bridgeport

Anthony Procaccini, president of the Andrew Warde High School Class of 1976 30-year reunion committee and music director at St. Patrick's Parish in Bridgeport, has announced a first-ever contemporary music Mass. It will take place Sunday morning, January 18, at 10:00 o'clock, at the church. The church choir, seen below, will also participate.

Chris Coogan, pictured at the left, will lead a small ensemble with vocalist Michelle Grace and Anthony Procaccini on bass guitar and string bass. Coogan, a Weston resident, is a well-known pianist, arranger, composer and teacher rooted in Jazz and Gospel traditions. The New York Times has called him "a masterful pianist."

Coogan's Jazz credits include performances with Bette Midler, Donna Summer, Larry Coryell, Phoebe Snow and others. He is also the founder and director of the Good News Gospel Choir, now 50-strong and in constant demand. The group has released two albums.

Anthony Procaccini, a Music graduate of the University of Bridgeport, performed for many years with local legend Benny Rae, and served as organist and music director in parishes in Connecticut and New York City before starting at Saint Patrick's in January 2006.

Saint Patrick's Parish, founded in 1890, is the home parish for many local residents and served that role for many now living outside the immediate environs of the church.

The contemporary music Mass will continue on the first Sunday of every month. All are welcome to participate in this new venture.

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Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Andrew Warde High School's Future Teachers of America Held Candlelight Ceremony to Induct New Members & List Goals 42 Years Ago This Month

Andrew Warde High School's Future Teachers of America were inducted in a candelight ceremony held in the school cafeteria 42 years ago this month. The newly-elected officers included president Pam Kulscar, vice president Eleanor Weldon, corresponding secretary Pat Maloney, recording secretary Ellen Zwecker, treasurer Caroline Guerra, historian Karen Kovacs, and program chairman Olive Hauser.

Kulscar began the ceremony in January of 1967 by giving a short talk on the history of the Warde FTA and the foundation of education. Then, Miss Ella Rice, Fairfield Mathematics consultant, led the induction ceremony. Ben Guerra, the director of student activities, lit the Future Teachers of America candle, and Warde teachers Peter Harrity, Ralph Burke, and Sigrid Bennett lit candles representing the Fairfield Education Association.

The seven goals of the Future Teachers of America are:

• to identify capable candidates for teaching and to motivate them to choose appropriate fields of preparation;
  
• to secure accurate information on the many opportunities in education and on the special characteristics a teacher should have;
  
• to acquire an understanding on the history and development of public schools, their purposes and objectives, and an appreciation of the contributions they have made to a democratic society;
  
• to secure information on teacher education and to help members plan for the future;
  
• to participate in pre-vocational activities to discover what successful teaching actually entails;
  
• to develop awareness of the privileges and responsibilities of the teaching profession;
  
• to show members that teaching is pre-eminently a profession that serves the school, the community, and the nation.

Miss Marion Clark and Mrs. Joanne Baker, faculty sponsors, led the FTA pledge. Vincent Strout, warde's assistant headmaster, attended the induction in his official capacity. The program committee served as hostesses following the ceremony at a social hour. The induction was planned by the FTA program committee, which included Kathy Wasik, Margo Godlewski, Faith Keblish, Sheila Graves, and the seven officers.

The Andrew Warde Future Teachers of America Club consisted of 60 members. It gave students interested in teaching an opportunity to gain first-hand information about the profession and to see two sides of teaching. Members acted as student teachers at neighborhood elementary and junior high schools for a three-day period, and they also acted as teacher aides at Warde throughout the school year.

The Andrew Warde chapter of the FTA sponsored several projects during the 1966-67 school year, and planned many future activities, too. It sponsored a faculty tea in November of 1966. Future projects included a student visit to Bridgeport Hospital at Easter. The FTA met every other Thursday during activity period, and the program committee planned to have guest speakers or films about education meetings.

Pam Kulscar, the president, was a Smedley House senior and was a member of the FTA since her freshman year. She served as its program chairman during her junior year. She was also a member of the Exchange Commission and was elected to membership in the National Honor Society.

Eleanor Weldon, the vice president and a Mason house junior, was also a member of the FTA since her freshman year. She served as recording secretary as a sophomore. She was a member of the Mason House council for two years. She also became a member of the Modern Music Masters during her freshman year.

Paul

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Coach Ed Bengermino Built Warde's Basketball Reputation by Teaching, Reloading, & Rebuilding

What does a basketball coach do after losing the services of his school's all-time leading scorer and all-time leading rebounding phenom through graduation?

That's what Andrew Warde High School basketball coach Ed Bengermino must have asked himself several times in January of 1975 after the departure of the top offensive performer in Crimson Eagles' history in Ron DelBianco and the school's record-setting rebounder, six-foot-seven-inch Phil Ness. They both graduated the year before.

But Bengermino regrouped his forces. His team was in the thick of the scramble for a playoff position in the FCIAC Eastern Division by January of 1975. The Eagles also were close to securing a spot in the state tournament, too.

Thirty-four years ago this month, the Warde basketball team had survived the loss of two "legends" to fashion a 5-3 FCIAC East record, tied with Ridgefield for second place and just a game behind Staples (6-2). Warde stood at 6-5 overall and only needed three more victories in seven remaining games to qualify for the CIAC Class LL state tournament for the third consecutive season.

The solid reputation of the basketball program was built when Bengermino, the former Yankton College, South Dakota, baseball and basketball product, took charge just five years earlier. Disregarding an 0-20 record in his initial campaign, Bengermino revived the boys' basketball program at Warde by posting a 45-28 record over the next four years for a respectable .630 winning percentage.

After his 1972 squad barely missed the state tournament by a single game with an overall 9-11 record, Bengermino guided his charges into the CIAC Class LL semi-finals in both 1973 and 1974. Warde defeated Fitch, 59-54, in February 1974 in an opening round game before bowing to Lee, 59-54. The year before, Warde nipped Danbury, 74-72, prior to falling to McMahon, 72-60, in the state playoffs.

"Our original objective at the start of this season was to qualify for the state tourney, but after the Holiday Festival at Prep, the kids decided to shoot for the league playoffs and then worry about any post-season play," Bengermino said at the time.

"Right now the Eastern Division lacks a really overpowering team, and the playoff positions are up for grabs," he added. Whichever team gets hot and can maintain that momentum until the finish will win it. It remains to be seen, however, which team that will be."

The Eagles were a senior-dominated team in 1974-75, with seven of their top players in their last season. "We had to adjust this season and come to the realization that in a tight spot now we can't just get the ball to Phil or Ron," Bengermino said at the time. "Everybody has got to blend in and play team ball in order to get everybody involved."

Brad Gold (14.5 points per game), Bob Sherman (12.1), Jeff Douglas (11.3), and Dave Favale (10.0) paced the team in double-digit scoring. Chris Ford started to come into his own and utilized his jumping ability to handle most of the rebounding, despite his six-foot-two-inch frame.

"I think one of our strong points is that the kids are a real close-knit group that's very coachable. They are always trying to improve as individuals and members of the team," pointed out Bengermino.

Special emphasis during a Warde practice was placed on setting up a fourth quarter situation with two or three minutes left in the game. Bengermino believed that most games were usually decided in the final few minutes.

"This is done in order to discipline the kids so that we'll recognize what we'll have to do offensively or defensively when we are up by six or down by six with two or three minutes left," he continued. Four Crimson Eagles' games were already decided in the waning minutes with Warde winning two of them.

The Crimson Eagles pulled out victories in the last seconds against Kolbe and Trumbull on baskets by Douglas. However, the Eagles dropped close games against Prep (61-58) and Notre Dame (63-62) in the last seconds.

"I want our games and practices to be a learning experience for the players," said the mild-mannered coach. "I want them to be able to laugh at something in a practice and to be loose. They shouldn't be worried about being on the bench for making mistakes since they are obviously out there trying their best."

Bengermino addmitted that the loss of his two record-setters hurt, but he was up to the challenge 34 years ago. "Last season we probably could have won seven or eight games just with our reserves, but this year we're not that deep. I would like to see us run a little more at times. This would make us a much better team."

There's no doubt Coach Bengermino made all his teams better. Whether it was basketball, baseball, or volleyball, his many league and state championships are a testament to his teaching and coaching skills. He was arguably the best coach at Andrew Warde High School.

Paul

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Andrew Warde High School Class of 1979 Planning 30-Year Reunion Later This Year

The Andrew Warde High School Class of 1979 is planning a 30-year reunion later this year. That's the word from Russ Campbell, a member of the class.

"As this is the class of '79's 30th year, we are gearing up to put on a reunion," Campbell wrote. "In the hopes of helping people find the Facebook group for our class, I've created a Web page."

Just click the image below to access the Web page. There is a link to the Facebook page. The AWHS Class of 1979 30-year reunion page is also linked in the right-hand margin of the blog.

"Right now, there's just a link to our Facebook page, but it will soon show more information," he added. "In just two weeks we've gone from nothing to approaching 50 in number."

Best wishes to Russ and the Andrew Warde High School Class of 1979!

Paul

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Andrew Warde High School Hosted a Sold-Out Closed-Circuit Telecast of Ali-Frazier Rematch 35 Years Ago This Month

Long before the days of cable television, satellite dishes, and pay-per-view, diehard sports fans were only able to watch important sporting events via closed-circuit telecasts at public venues. One of the most memorable sporting events made available through closed-circuit television took place at Andrew Warde High School 35 years ago this month.

The classic boxing rematch between Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier was staged at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 1974, and it was shown on closed-circuit television before a sold-out crowd at the Andrew Warde High School gymnasium. The event was sponsored by Warde's baseball alumni association.

Tickets were made available at the Wonderland of Ice, Arctic Sports Shop, Clampett's Sports Center, Herman's International Sporting Goods, and Schaefer Sporting Goods. According to the Sunday, January 13, 1974 edition of the Bridgeport Sunday Post, "Because of the intense interest already evidenced in this rematch, early ticket purchases are suggested."

The promotional article stated, "There's big money involved, but it's not a fight for money alone. It's an authentic grudge match, and it can be seen via special telecast at Andrew Warde High School for the benefit of their athletics fund."

This writer saw Ali fight Frazier in a closed-circuit telecast at the Klein Memorial Auditorium on Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport on October 1, 1975. The famed Thriller in Manila was the third and final famous boxing match between Ali and Frazier for the heavyweight championship of the world in the Philippines.

Today, we're able to watch virtually any sports event from the comfort of our own homes. Sure, we can call or text our friends and family during or after the event, but nothing will ever compare to watching a sports event with fellow fans at a public venue via closed-circuit television.

Paul

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School Role Models Formed Warde's First-Ever Boys' Cheerleading Squad Over 40 Years Ago

The Andrew Warde High School athletic department pioneered and championed girls' sports programs in the early-to-mid 1970s. The school was one of the first in the area to field girls' soccer, volleyball, and track-and-field teams.

However, several years earlier, nine spirited students formed the very first Crimson Eagles boys' cheerleading squad. With their unique routines and rousing cheers, the group became a tremedous hit with players and fans alike during the 1967-68 school year. The students were role models to their fellow classmates.

The idea was the brainchild of Pat Tomlinson, the girls' cheerleading captain, Tom Nardozzi, the boys' co-captain, and Miss Diana Alvarez, the cheerleading adviser. The members included Nardozzi, co-captain John Waite, Arthur Baron, Peter Guarnaccia, Howie Klein, Paul Kaplan, Dean Morvay, Vinnie D'Elia, and Bob Nagy.

Nardozzi, who was a Smedley House junior in January of 1968, was an active member of the AWHS band and played in the percussion section. He was also a member of the school service commission and played intramural sports. He was a member of the Big Brothers program and participated with the Troubadors, a Drum and Bugle corps.

Waite, a Barlow house senior 41 years ago, participated in cross-country and track. He had a part-time job at the Rocket Drive-In. He enjoyed gymnastics and eventually hoped to become a physical education teacher.

Baron, a Smedley House senior, was an avid music enthusiast who played trombone in the Warde band for four years. He achieved the honor of playing trombone in the All-State orchestra. He was also a member of the National Thespian Society and Modern Music Masters. He participated in the productions of West Side Story, You Can't Take it With You, and My Fair Lady.

"The school's spirit has been in need of a real boosting for a long time, and I felt that cheerleading was a good way for me to help the cause," Baron said. He was also a member of the Rooster River Boys, a unique jug band, and he served as vice president of the Folk Music Society. He also played with several local jazz bands, was an avid George Burns fan, and enjoyed Math and Music. He hoped to attend NYU.

Guarnaccia, a Wolcott senior, was a member of the School Council and served as treasurer. He was also a member of the Inter-School Council, which was comprised of students from Warde and Ludlowe. He played clarinet in the Warde band and played junior varsity soccer and tennis. He was elected to the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society.

In addition, Guarnaccia was awarded the Harvard Book Prize for outstanding boy in the junior class, and he was a member of Modern Music Masters. He received a National Merit Letter of Commendation and participated in the World Youth Forum.

The nine cheerleaders wore maroon sweaters over white shirts along with white pants, white socks, and white sneakers. The cheerleader's class number --- '68, '69, or '70 --- was sewn on the left shoulder of the sweater. One of their formations was a pyramid which was constructed during a fight cheer. They also teamed up with the girls' squad in a cheer which culminated with each boy cheerleader lifting one of the girls while she was performing a spread jump.

The boys' cheerleading squad was a tremendous success in 1967-68. The boys became a vital part of the school's scene at football games, pep rallies, and basketball games. The squad became an important force in arousing school spirit at Andrew Warde High School.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".