James Blake in the Alumni Spotlight

Think about it for just a moment. The last two major sporting events in Connecticut have been won by graduates of our high school!

Nearly three weeks ago, J. J. Henry captured the Buick Open Golf Tournament in Cromwell, Connecticut. The Fairfield High School graduate made all of us proud by winning in his home state.

Now, fellow alum James Blake is making news. The defending Pilot Pen tennis tournament champion and Fairfield High School graduate is the number one ranked men's tennis player in the country and sixth-ranked in the world.

You may recall back in May the tennis courts at the former Andrew Warde High School were dedicated in his honor. The photo above shows the banner that adorns the courts on Melville Avenue. A huge crowd gathered for the event, which featured students, residents, and teachers, including former Warde tennis coach John Honey.

"I’ve been doing this over 30 years and he’s by far and away the best high school player in the state of Connecticut I’ve ever seen," Honey said. "People will ask me, ‘Is this kid as good as James?’ James was a special individual and he was just that good as a high school player."

Blake expressed his appreciation to the crowd for attending, and he said his home has always been Fairfield. "I take offense when sometimes the media says I grew up in Harlem," Blake said. "Every time I come back to Fairfield it feels like it’s my whole family. I can’t believe this many people still care about me."



Blake returned "home" earlier this week, and he still remains humble and happy whenever he returns to the area. Tuesday was an amazing day for him. First, he kicked off the men's U. S. Open series by appearing on NBC's Today Show. Then, he received a police escort as his Mercedes Benz SUV arrived at a party in his name on the New Haven Green.

Several hundred fans turned out for the first-ever J-Block Party. The event provided the first 500 attendees complimentary food and tickets to the Pilot Pen tennis tournament scheduled to run August 18 through 26 at Yale's Connecticut Tennis Center.

All this in honor of one of our own, a fellow graduate of the high school which used to be known as Andrew Warde.

"It's pretty insane. It's so exciting," he said. "This is thrilling. It's something that I'll remember, but I'm not quite as much of a showman when I'm on stage as to when I am on the tennis court with a racquet in my hand."

Blake won the Pilot Pen last year, coming back from number 186 in the world to defeat Feliciano Lopez in the final. The following week, he advanced all the way to the U. S. Open quarterfinals.

Blake is also well aware of the accomplishments of fellow Fairfield/Warde graduate J. J. Henry. "To have the two major sporting events in the state of Connecticut held by Fairfield natives is incredible," he admitted. "J. J. is a good friend of mine. His little brother is someone I grew up with. I'm so proud of J. J. I can't wait to watch him play in the Ryder Cup."

We should be proud of both of these two gentleman. J. J. Henry and James Blake have made all of us associated with our high school very proud. The next time you're in Fairfield and you have the opportunity to drive by the former Andrew Warde High School, take a look at the James Blake tennis courts. What a nice tribute and honor for this fine young gentleman.