By Phillip Whitten<\/p>\n
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 29. IN a surprise move last Monday, Dale Neuburger resigned as Chairman of the Board of the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF), citing \u201can erosion of confidence in the Chief Executive Officer, Sam Freas\u201d as the reason for his action.<\/p>\n
It was the latest salvo in the growing battle between Dr. Freas, the Hall\u2019s CEO since 1989, and his detractors, a struggle that appears to be motivated, at least in part, by controversy over the Hall of Fame\u2019s attempts to move to a location outside of Fort Lauderdale and by unsubstantiated financial accusations, but it has been fueled by personal animosities, according to several knowledgeable observers.<\/p>\n
Neuburger had served as chairman only since January.<\/p>\n
John Ebert, the previous chairman, reportedly has agreed to serve as Acting Chairman until the Board of Directors meets in September, at which time an election will be held for a new chairman to fill out the remainder of Neuburger\u2019s two-year term.<\/p>\n
Several members of the Board described Neuburger\u2019s action as \u201ca shock,\u201d and at least one, Jon Henricks (Australia) has asked Neuburger to reconsider his decision.<\/p>\n
SwimInfo<\/b> reached Neuburger yesterday as he was preparing to board a flight for Athens, where he will serve as Assistant Chef de Mission for the US Olympic Team. In a statement exclusively for SwimInfo<\/b>, Neuburger said:<\/p>\n
\u201cI have submitted my resignation as Chairman of the Board of the International Swimming Hall of Fame due to an erosion of confidence in the Chief Executive Officer, Sam Freas.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have the highest respect for the Hall of Fame and its honored athletes, coaches, and contributors, and I am deeply saddened that the institution has not been able to live up to its proud traditions under the current staff leadership. I hope that the aquatics community will be able to regain its pride and confidence in ISHOF after necessary changes are made, because the legacy of our sport should be paramount.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his actual letter of resignation to the Board of Directors of the Hall of Fame, Neuburger made a number of specific charges, which Dr. Freas characterized as \u201cby no means accurate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several months ago, about two dozen ISHOF honorees, led by 1976 US Olympic swimming coach and Fort Lauderdale Swim Team head coach Jack Nelson and eight-time US Olympic diving coach Ron O\u2019Brien, sent letters to the Hall of Fame Board of Directors. Citing deterioration in the Hall\u2019s display areas and library, and accusing Dr. Freas of lack of leadership and financial mismanagement, the letters called for Dr. Freas\u2019 resignation or dismissal within 60 days. If Dr. Freas were not gone, the letters warned, the honorees would demand that their personal documents, medals and other memorabilia be withdrawn and returned to them. (If only for tax reasons, this would be problematic.) <\/p>\n
According to Neuburger, 16 honorees followed up on their threat and sent letters that reached him several days ago, demanding that their memorabilia be returned. SwimInfo<\/b> has not yet seen any of these letters.<\/p>\n
In his letter of resignation, Neuburger commented that the most serious breach an administrator can make is one of trust, resulting from a perceived lack of integrity. \u201cDespite many attempts to obtain information that would have answered questions posed by the dissatisfied honorees,\u201d he wrote, \u201cI was thwarted at every turn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Freas replied: \u201cThis is absolutely untrue. Exactly the opposite took place. I repeatedly asked for this information to go out both in phone conversations with Dale and in meetings with the executive committee. Dale blocked every attempt to communicate saying the initial letter was sufficient.\u201d<\/p>\n
SwimInfo<\/b> has learned that the Board did, in fact, draft a letter of reply to the dissident honorees more than a month ago, but that it has not yet been sent. According to two Board members, the letter is now being reviewed by legal counsel and will be sent shortly.<\/p>\n
In upcoming articles, SwimInfo<\/b> will consider the charges levied by Mr. Neuburger as well as Dr. Freas\u2019 responses. We will also look behind the public debate, providing background information that readers may use to help inform their own opinions on this matter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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