Crimson Eagles deliver for coach Fern Tetreau

Written by Bill Bloxsom, Sports Editor
Thursday, 05 November 2009 11:19

Eight players strong, members of Andrew Warde High School’s 1959 state championship football team stood behind their coach Fern Tetreau, as the then Crimson Eagle mentor addressed the crowd on hand Oct. 30 to honor the squad that posted a perfect 9-0 record during a magical campaign.

At halftime of Warde’s game with St. Joseph, and on the field that was dedicated in his name in 2006, Tetreau spoke of the bucket brigade that picked up rocks on the field prior to practice.

He spoke about his penchant for punishing those who didn’t respect the game by having them run laps around the field.

First and foremost, Tetreau spoke fondly of the improvement his players made over the course of their careers.

His first year with Warde after coming over from Roger Ludlowe for the 1957 campaign, the Crimson Eagles didn’t win a game.

“We went to gym classes and pulled kids out and asked them to help us build a program,” said Tetreau, who was inducted into the FCIAC Hall of Fame in 2008. “Each year we looked to add some kids.”

The 1958 squad improved to 5-4 and Tetrreau could feel things turning.

“The discipline got better and the players began to listen to the coaches.”

Warde then put together its unmatched season.

The Crimson Eagles were not only one of only four teams statewide to go unbeaten, they outscored opponents by a 175-24 margin with four shutouts.

The Eagles blanked arch-rival Roger Ludlowe, 26-0, to highlight that memorable season.

Jack Schneider, Walt Beck, Phil Golino, Larry Gill, Ed Magi, Ronnie Toth, Fred Gates, Dave Larsen and Todd Flanagan, son of the late Jack Flanagan, joined Tetreau at the 50-yard line at halftime.

One by one, the eight players and a surrogate strode forward to receive a commemorative plaque from Master of Ceremonies Paul Piorek, a 1976 Warde graduate, and Warde Athletic Director Chris Manfredonia.

“It’s a great thrill to be back and see the teammates and reminisce and see Coach Fern [Tetreau],” said Schneider, who kicked the game-winning field goal against Bridgeport Central in the last game of the 1959 season to preserve Warde’s undefeated record.

“It’s great to be back here at Andrew Warde.”

Beck was a tri-captain and all-state guard on that team. He was moved by the occasion.

“We’ve lost a lot of guys [over the years],” he said. “That’s sad. But, they’re still here in spirit.”

Fairfield First Selectman Ken Flatto offered a proclamation saluting the accomplishments of the 1959 team.

Flanagan, was joined by his sister, Kerry, and their children.

The honorees met in the school cafeteria prior to the game and Flanagan brought a wealth of newspaper clippings, photos, and memorabilia which his father saved.

They included detailed statistics and play-by-play descriptions of each game. Naturally, the guests of honor were riveted to the material.

Schneider vividly recalled the dramatic ending of the final game of the 1959 season, in which the Eagles were tied, 6-6, against Bridgeport Central.

“We probably should have been ahead by quite a few more points than we were,” he remembered.

“We got down to the end of the game, and we were getting nip and tuck, and I guess we were down to the 30-yard-line or so.

“Coach Tetreau decided that it was time to kick a field goal,” he said. “We had practiced a lot of field goals during the year, but we did not kick extra points in those days.

As a matter of fact, we ran for two during most of those games. So, we went in and kicked a field goal, and from that point on, the game kind of turned our way.”

Warde eventually won, 15-6.

Despite Warde’s outstanding defense, Beck is still bothered by the first points scored against the Crimson Eagles during the fifth game of the season against Staples.

“The first team that scored on us, I had the guy behind the line of scrimmage,” said Beck, who had an interception in the victory over Bullard Havens.

“I had him,” he said. “It was a screen pass, and he just stepped out of my tackle and went on and scored. A good friend of mine he turned out to be.”

Warde eventually blanked New Canaan and Ludlowe the following two weeks, so that was the only score yielded by the Crimson Eagles during the first seven games of the season.

“It was a great defensive unit,” said Schneider, who has been the director of the Joe Namath Football Camp for the last 38 years.

“We were just talking about that first touchdown being scored against us. We almost felt like we lost the game.”