Random Thoughts

I applaud the players, coaching staffs, officials, parents, and fans for battling the elements during the football game at Warde Thanksgiving morning. The conditions were simply awful. A driving rain fell throughout just about all of the game, and the winds were howling as well.

The halftime dedication ceremony was a nice touch. Unfortunately, although I was able to read the biographies of Fern Tetreau and Bill Davis without much incident, the rain and wind made it almost impossible to turn the pages. In fact, the pages began sticking together and falling apart. I wasn't able to read the best part of the tribute to Fern. That's been bothering me all day and night. Trying to hold the microphone, umbrella, and script in pouring rain and wind is not easy.

Thankfully, the ceremony ended just before the start of the second half. If anything, perhaps it's a good thing my tribute didn't go on much longer. We were soaked in the middle of the field. The highlight of the day --- the unveling of the sign over the scoreboard while the school fight song was being played --- was emotional and gratifying.

Following the halftime field dedication, Tom Davis, brother of the late Coach Bill, joined me, and we spent the second half reminiscing.

From our perch atop the grandstands, the view of the high school, baseball field, softball field, and gym looks exactly like it did over 40 years ago. We chatted about the team's original uniforms, which sported two stripes across each of the shoulders. Tom told me he wore those uniforms as a freshman, and the team changed jerseys for his sophomore season.

The entire Davis family was on hand for the field dedication. His Mom was seated not far from Fern Tetreau, Andrew Warde's original coach. Tetreau is now 85 years young, and the photo of him with his players which appeared in this week's Fairfield Citizen-News is classic. Fern will always be known as "Coach" at Warde and throughout Fairfield.

Tom told me the family is gathering for Thanksgiving dinner at his brother's home in Easton. He and his family are grateful for the support from the Fairfield Warde High School athletic department and the Board of Education.

Both of us clapped whenever Warde made a good play on the field. He was thrilled that the hosts won the game on the day the school forever remembered his brother.

Thanks, Tom, for being such a kind and decent human being. Your brother, Bill, is smiling today. The Davis family has much to be thankful for on this special day.

Watch the News 12 Connecticut feature story on the Thanksgiving Day festivities at Warde High School by clicking here.

Paul