Warde's Legendary Football Coach Saved Man from Drowning at Mouth of Ash Creek 45 Years Ago Today

Andrew Warde High School's Hall of Fame football coach came to the rescue of a man who appeared to be drowning in the strong current at the mouth of Ash Creek in Fairfield 45 years ago today, Tuesday, July 30, 1968.

The man, who was about 30 years of age, was saved by Fern Tetreau, the coach of the Warde Eagles' gridders, who happened to be attending a cookout nearby, according to a front-page story in The Bridgeport Telegram. Tetreau, Warde's first football coach, led the team to an undefeated 9-0 campaign in 1959, just three years after the school opened.

Attracted by shouts for help off the jetty at the end of Jennings Beach and opposite St. Mary's by the Sea, Tetreau outraced three fellow physical education instructors in the Fairfield school system and swam to the aid of the man, who was being held by a woman companion. Both the man and woman were about to be swept away by the current toward Long Island Sound.

A short time later, a boat from the Ash Creek boat basin picked up the man while the woman companion swam back to St. Mary's. After being taken to the boat basin, the woman friend drove the man home.

The man told Tetreau he was wading at St. Mary's when he was swept into the water by the strong current. His woman companion managed to keep him afloat until Mr. Tetreau arrived on the scene.

Tetreau was attending a cookout at a cottage at the east end of Jennings Beach as a guest of Robert Seirup, a physical education instructor who conducted swimming classes there in the Summer.

Also present were Emil Taft, the Roger Ludlowe High School football coach, and Bob Jackson, director of physical education in the Fairfield school system.

Paul

Swim Marathon to Benefit Warde & Ludlowe Swim Teams Held 42 Years Ago This Weekend

Swim team members and alumni from Andrew Warde and Roger Ludlowe high schools swam for their proverbial lives in a 30-hour marathon 42 years ago this weekend. The marathon, which raised $4,000 to help keep the swim teams at both schools afloat for the 1971-72 school year, set a national record of 100 miles.

The event, which was held at the Olympic-size Fairfield YMCA pool on Old Post Road, began at noon on Saturday, July 3, 1971, and ended Sunday evening, July 4, at 6 p.m., according to a front-page story which appeared in The Bridgeport Telegram, Monday, July 5, 1971 (see below).

More than 60 swimmers participated, completing the 100 miles in 28 hours and one minute. Encouraged by financial backing from townsfolk who pledged one dollar for every completed lap, the participants continued after setting the record to log 30 hours of uninterrupted swimming.

George Ford, a parent of one of the swim team members, announced at the conclusion of the event that $4,000 had been raised. However, he emphaszied that another $4,000 was needed to support the activities for the swim teams at both high schools.

"If the Board of Education approves a request for a $2,000 allocation for the program, the swim teams will be able to continue their activities in the new school year," Ford stated. As a result of sharp budget cuts, the Board of Education eliminated funds previously provided for the swim team programs.

Rather than let the program die, members of the swim teams at both high schools started the ball rolling for a fund-raising event. The marathon was the first endeavor, and other plans for raising the needed funds were in the works.

The marathon was supervised by Edward Quinn, the Ludlowe swim coach, his assistant, William Babcock, and George Reed of Warde. Mike Tierney and Bob Wilk, Ludlowe's co-captains, and Dan Ford and Mike Cardone of Warde helped organize the marathon.

Paul

Warde Students Recognized by Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center 42 Years Ago This Week

The Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center of Eastern Fairfield County paid special tribute to the students of Andrew Warde High School "who have shown the greatest effort among all participating area high schools in their response to the needs of their fellow man in 1970 and 1971." That's according to a newspaper story which appeared in The Bridgeport Post, Wednesday, June 23, 1971.

Warde students raised $3,304 under the chairmanship of Miss Karen Medve (pictured above left) and Miss Nancy Whiteman. Mrs. Jay Kaner, vice president of the Rehabilitation Center's board of directors, presented a plaque to be displayed at the school to Miss Medve and Mr. Kenneth Petersen, headmaster.

Paul

Andrew Warde High School's Class of 1968 to Hold 45-Year Reunion Saturday, July 27, at Tashua Knolls Restaurant in Trumbull

Andrew Warde High School's Class of 1968 will hold its 45-year reunion this year. That's the word from Donna Green, a member of the Class of '68 and current secretary to headmaster James Coyne at Fairfield Warde High School. The reunion will take place Saturday, July 27, 2013, at Tashua Knolls Restaurant, 45 Tashua Knolls Lane, Trumbull.

The cost is $45 and includes antipasto, pasta salad, hot hor d'oeuvres passed butler style, a pasta station featuring penne a la vodka and shrimp scampi, carving station featuring filet mignon and roasted turkey, coffee, and dessert. Please RSVP by July 1. Please make checks payable to Jacquelyn Skultety, 415 Goldenrod Avenue, Bridgeport, CT, 06606.

If there is enough interest, a golf tournament for classmates will take place Saturday afternoon at the Tashua Glen nine-hole golf course. The $28 fee includes a cart. If interested, contact Diane Fekete Vieira at DI4850@aol.com.

Paul

Andrew Warde High School's Class of 1963 Planning 50-Year Reunion

The Andrew Warde High School Class of 1963 has begun planning its 50-year reunion. The event will take place in October or November. Please click the image below to access the class Facebook page for more information and updates.

Paul

AWHS Class of 1983 to Hold 30-Year Reunion This October

The Andrew Warde High School Class of 1983 is planning its 30-year reunion. The event is planned for Saturday, October 19, 2013, at the Gaelic-American Club, 74 Beach Road, in Fairfield. For more information, click the image above to access the class Web site.

Paul