Andrew Warde High School's Legendary Football Coach Fern Tetreau Teamed With His Son From Ludlowe in East-West All Star Game in 1970

It was time to get acquainted on the football field, relatively speaking, for a coach named Fern and a quarterback named Mike as the West high school football all stars opened training camp at the University of Bridgeport for the 13th annual Nutmeg Bowl, according to a story which appeared in the Bridgeport Post 39 years ago today, Monday, August 17, 1970.

Aside from being the first such father and son duo in the history of Connecticut's midsummer classic, the game also marked the first time Andrew Warde High School's legendary coach, Fern Tetreau, was on the same side as his son, Roger Ludlowe High School's outstanding quarterback, Mike, about to enter Princeton in the Fall of 1970.

The head coach of the West had seen his talented offspring in action before, sometimes much to his own dismay, but he was never more than an objective observer and tutor. Mike directed the Flying Tigers' offense his junior and senior years, during which time Ludlowe compiled a glossy 17-3 record and two satisfying victories over cross-town rival Warde.

Fern, a standout halfback during his playing days at Springfield College, where he captained the Chiefs' 1948 squad, ironically began his high school coaching career at Ludlowe before moving to Warde when the Melville Avenue high school opened in the Fall of 1956. Strangely enough, both father and son agreed that it was better the way things ultimately worked out.

"It is a novelty playing for my dad," Mike said before the 1970 all-star game. "However, I'm glad that I didn't have to for three years. He doesn't push any harder or make it any easier because I'm his son. Some coaches would have the tendency to be tougher just to show the team they mean business. Fortunately, everything has worked out fine for myself and the team."

Fern, whose 9-1 Ludlowe team of 1954 and unbeaten 9-0 Warde combine of 1959, won state titles, reflected that it was good that Mike performed on the other side of town.

"Of course I'm delighted to have Mike here (as his all-star quarterback), but I think it was in his best interests that he played under Emil Taft (the Ludlowe coach after whom the field is named)," stated Fern. "It's hard to choose your son over another boy, especially if he is better."

Emil was Fern's close friend and teammate at Springfield, and when the elder Tetreau left Ludlowe, Taft succeeded him as the Tigers' football coach. "Emil did a fine job with Mike," said Fern at the time. "He taught him to play quarterback. All I did was encourage him to play and supply him with footballs around the house."

The chances for Fern to see his son play were limited, since he was coaching the Crimson Eagles. "If we had a Friday afternoon game or a postponed game on Monday, I'd watch him," admitted Fern, who recently celebrated his 88th birthday and 60th wedding anniversary and is pictured at the left. "Then there was the Ludlowe-Warde game."

"Dad helped me since he could offer an objective point of view," stated Mike, now a successful real estate agent and Fairfield Pop Warner football coach. "Everyone has rotten days, and I'm glad he wasn't (my) coach because it's good to get a non-emotional point of view. Besides, you have to go home sooner or later."

What about the annual game between Warde and Ludlowe? Mike, the president of Ludowe's 1970 senior class, said, "It was a big game for me personally, but as a team we had bigger games."

Warde, which finished 5-5 the previous campaign, won the respect of Mike and the Tigers' gridders even after a 40-8 defeat. "They came to play, and they really hit hard," said Mike, who was a four-year trackman in the 440 and broad jump and two-year basketball player. He finished with 42 touchdown passes, including 20 his senior year.

Now, nearly 40 years later, Mike is still at the top of his class. The William Raveis Real Estate Company announced this past Friday that Mike earned the Excellence in Customer Service Award for May. This award recognizes Mike and his team for their dedicated effort and exceptional commitment to meeting client's objectives. This is the second time this year the Tetreau Real Estate Group has been awarded this honor.

Paul

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