AWHS Opened Sparkling New Gymnasium 66 Years Ago Today

The Andrew Warde High School boys' basketball team played for the very first time in its new gymnasium 66 years ago today. 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

New Look Website Honors History of Andrew Warde High School

Thank you for visiting this website. It is a labor of love. The Andrew Warde High School tribute website originated 17 years ago prior to the 30-year reunion for the AWHS Class of 1976. 

Since that time, this website has expanded to include feature videos, photos, class reunion updates, historical events, a Gift Shop, a Guest Book, and companion websites which host 47 issues of the Crimson Crier school newspaper from 1967 through 1976. More issues will be added soon.

The background image will be different each month.

Much time and effort have gone into the creation of this website, which honors the history of Andrew Warde High School. Please take a look at everything it has to offer.

If you would like to write a feature story, send photos, videos, or Crimson Crier newspapers, please contact me at paulpiorek@gmail.com.

Thank you.

Paul Piorek

AWHS Class of 1976

andrewwarde.blogspot.com 

Editor and Publisher

Charity Tosses Helped Warde Defeat Staples 56 Years Ago Today

The Andrew Warde High School boys' basketball team converted 33 foul shots to hand Staples a 71-50 FCIAC setback at the Wreckers' court 56 years ago today, Tuesday, January 10, 1967.

The Crimson Eagles led at all the quarter breaks to build a commanding lead. Warde improved to 4-3 in conference play while the Wreckers fell to 0-7.

Jim Howard, who connected on 18 foul shots, made six in the opening period as Warde assumed a 13-11 advantage. Jeff Hand scored six points for the hosts.

Hand and Bob Rummel were forced to the bench in the second quarter because of foul trouble. Howard and Rich Fekete combined for 17 points as the guests pulled out to a 34-20 halftime advantage.

With Hand and Rummel back on the court in the third quarter, Staples sliced its deficit to six points, but both Wrecker stars eventually fouled out before the end of the stanza. Warde increased its lead to 49-34 after three quarters.

Dan Haines, Tom DeLuca, Mike Howard, and Jim Howard combined for 18 points in the final chapter to keep the Crimson Eagles comfortably ahead. John Hand netted six points for Staples.

Warde converted 33 of 42 free throws for 79% accuracy compared to 14 of 20 and 70% accuracy for Staples.

The Eagles also triumphed in the junior varsity game, 54-41.

Paul

Senior Ron DelBianco Eclipsed 1,000 Point Mark in Win Over Stamford 49 Years Ago

Senior Ron DelBianco scored seven points in the last three minutes to eclipse the 1,000 point career mark, and teammate Phil Ness converted two three-point plays during that same span to lead the Andrew Warde High School varsity basketball team to a 77-64 FCIAC victory over Stamford at the winners' court 49 years ago today, Friday evening, December 21, 1973.

DelBianco, who needed 14 points heading into the game to crack the prestigious plateau, suffered through some jittery moments in pursuit of the mark, but finished with 20 points, giving him 1,006 for his career. His two clutch free throws with 3:15 left in the game gave the winners a ten-point lead, 62-52, and also vaulted him into the Warde record book.

Stamford, which fell to 1-2, had narrowed a 20-point second half deficit to eight points on a free throw by Forrest Andrews at the 3:30 mark. DelBianco subsequently canned his foul shots, and then came back moments later to complete a three-point play, stretching the lead to 11 at 65-54. Ness, who finished with a team-high 23 points and 25 rebounds, sandwiched his six points around a Stamford bucket to put the Crimson Eagles safely in front, 71-58, with two minutes left.

Warde had to contest with Stamford's Ernie Cobb all night as the Black Knights' rubber-armed guard fired in 37 points. He converted 17 of 42 shots. Cobb's 10 points enabled the visitors to hold a 17-15 first quarter lead, but he cooled down in the second stanza when Warde outscored the guests, 16-1, in the last three-and-a-half-minutes for a 38-29 lead at the intermission.

Reserve guard Bob Sherman keyed Warde's second period surge by scoring ten points in the last four minutes of the quarter. The junior also helped solve Stamford's full-court zone press, which riddled the winners in the early stages of the contest. He finished with 16 points and also turned in a fine defensive effort, helping to harrass Cobb on his jump shots from long range.

Both teams were cold in the third period, but Warde managed to add three points to its nine point halftime advantage for a 53-41 lead entering the final stanza. Cobb tallied 10 of his team's 12 points in the period.

Brad Gold helped out Ness with 11 caroms. The winners outshot the Black Knights, 48 percent to 35 percent.

Warde captured the jayvee contest, 54-53, behind Tom Curry's 15 point performance.

Paul

Warde vs. Ludlowe Thanksgiving Football Tradition Continues

The storied Thanksgiving Day football rivalry between Fairfield's two public high schools resumes this Thursday, November 24, 2022. Warde will travel cross-town to battle Ludlowe Thanksgiving morning.

When Warde and Ludlowe reopened after nearly two decades of consolidation at Fairfield High School on the Warde campus, the historical Thanksgiving Day football rivalry was resurrected 17 years ago.

However, the first Thanksgiving football game between the original Andrew Warde and Roger Ludlowe high schools took place November 27, 1975. In fact, this author still has the official game program from that day.

Little did anyone know, but the original Thanksgiving football series between the two schools would only last 10 years. The last game was played in 1984. The Crimson Eagles won the last five games of the series and won the overall series against the Flying Tigers, seven games to three.

Just over two decades later, the rivalry was resurrected when Fairfield Warde traveled to Fairfield Ludlowe for a Thanksgiving Day football game in 2005. Although the Falcons won the first game and three of the first five, the Mustangs have dominated the series ever since.

Warde won three years ago, 46-20, and, truth be told, the margin of victory could have been much greater. The Mustangs avenged a heartbreaking one-point loss to Ludlowe in 2018, which snapped Warde's five-game winning streak in the series. The Mustangs have won six of the last eight games and eight of the last 11 for a 10-6 lead in the modern-day Thanksgiving rivalry.

How dominating has Warde been? Since 2010, the Mustangs have won all but three contests against their cross-town rivals. The Mustangs scored 321 points in their last eight victories for a 40.1 points-per-game average. Warde won five consecutive Thanksgiving football games from 2013 to 2017, matching their predecessor's five-game win streak to close out the original series (1980 through 1984).

Cumulatively, Warde owns a 17-9 series lead dating back to that very first Thanksgiving Day meeting in 1975.

Here are the Thanksgiving football results between Warde and Ludlowe, including the original series (1975 through 1984) and the modern-day series (2005 through 2019):
 

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 2021

(Series: Warde 10 wins, Ludlowe 6 wins)

2005: Ludlowe Falcons 20, Warde Mustangs 14

2006: Warde Mustangs 21, Ludlowe Falcons 12

2007: Warde Mustangs 28, Ludlowe Falcons 0

2008: Ludlowe Falcons 10, Warde Mustangs 8

2009: Ludlowe Falcons 24, Warde Mustangs 14

2010: Warde Mustangs 21, Ludlowe Falcons 16

2011: Warde Mustangs 52, Ludlowe Falcons 13

2012: Ludlowe Falcons 31, Warde Mustangs 13
2013: Warde Mustangs 44, Ludlowe Falcons 21
2014: Warde Mustangs 27, Ludlowe Falcons 12
2015: Warde Mustangs 35, Ludlowe Falcons 14
2016: Warde Mustangs 41, Ludlowe Falcons 20
2017: Warde Mustangs 55, Ludlowe Falcons 22
2018: Ludlowe Falcons 34, Warde Mustangs 33
2019: Warde Mustangs 46, Ludlowe Falcons 20

2021: Ludlowe Falcons 50, Warde Mustangs 21

Cumulative record: Warde 17 wins, Ludlowe 9 wins

Crimson Eagle Extras: I was honored to be the public address announcer at the Thanksgiving Day game three years ago. It was the fourth time in the last seven years I announced the Thanksgiving Day game at Ludlowe ... It was great to see several fans wearing original Andrew Warde Crimson Eagle jackets with the unmistakable "W" on them ... Fellow classmate Brian Pander (AWHS Class of 1976) won the halftime trivia contest in 2019. He correctly knew that Kolbe High School was Andrew Warde's original Thanksgiving Day football rival. Brian and I chatted briefly in the press box at halftime.

Paul

Warde Posted Third Straight Gridiron Shutout During Undefeated Season 63 Years Ago Today

Andrew Warde High School's defense-minded Crimson Eagles ran their unbeaten, unscored-upon victory streak to three games 63 years ago this week --- Saturday, October 3, 1959 --- by downing previously-unbeaten Norwalk, 12-0, before an estimated 2,500 spectators at the Warde field.

Coach Fern Tetreau's charges scored early in both the first and fourth quarters, while stopping Norwalk inches short of the goal line and later at the Eagles' 13 yard marker. The Green Wave was only able to move inside the Warde 30-yard line just four times during the contest.

Norwalk received the opening kickoff and, after advancing to its 27, was forced to punt to the Warde 47. On the Eagles' first play from scrimmage, halfback Larry Gill dashed 29 yards around his right end to the visitors' 24 yard line. Al Bennett ran to the 19 yard line, before Gill scampered around the left end for five more yards to the Norwalk 14.

Jack Flanagan burst through center for a one-yard gain and a Warde first down. Quarterback Howie Ratner handed off to Gill once again, and he ran to the four yard line on a delay. Flanagan added two more yards for a first down at the Green Wave two yard line before Ratner plunged oacross the goal line for the first score of the game.

Norwalk's Lee Johnson, however, stopped Gill shy of the goal line on the attempted two-point conversion, holding Warde to a 6-0 advantage.

A few minutes later, Norwalk tackle Jim Ciminello recovered a quick kick by Warde's Gill that was blocked on the Warde 25. Norwalk reeled off two first downs and had the ball on the Eagles' three yard line with first down and goal-to-go as the first quarter came to a close.

Jerry Fishman opened the second stanza with a one yard gain to the two yard line. However, halfback Everett Jess fumbled as he went through the line, and the loose football rolled to the goal line where Warde's right end Walter Ruby recovered it. Norwalk never again advanced inside the hosts 10 yard line.

The winners threatened again with four minutes left in the first half, but an offside penalty nullified a 14-yard touchdown dash by Flanagan. After the stellar Warde defense limited Norwalk to just seven yards rushing in the second quarter and only four yards in the third quarter, the Eagles' Walter Beck recovered another Green Wave fumble at the Norwalk 18-yard line. Flanagan scampered six yards to the Norwalk 12 as the third quarter ended.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Larry Gill sidestepped three would-be tacklers and followed good blocking by Ratner and Beck to dash 13 yards to paydirt for Warde's second touchdown. Norwalk stopped Flanagan's rush for the attempted two points as Warde assumed a 12-0 cushion.

Norwalk's Fishman played an outstanding game as he carried the ball 14 times for 64 yards and kicked a booming 60-yard punt.

Paul