ISHOF embroiled in internal war.(Newsroom)(The International Swimming Hall of Fame)

The international Swimming Hall of Fame's long-running battle over a location for its new headquarters has mushroomed into an internal war in which numerous members have resigned or withdrawn, citing discontent with its president/chief executive officer, Sam Freas.

Freas, who has held the post for 15 years, said he has only been carrying out the will of the board. He called the recent turmoil "nothing short of a coup d'etat."

So far, 16 swimming and diving champions, including John Naber, Greg Louganis, Bill Yorzyk, Mary T. Meagher and Alan Ford, have sent letters calling for Freas' resignation and requesting their names be withdrawn from the association and their medals returned.

The controversy has reached the highest levels of ISHOF, prompting Dale Neuburger to resign his post as board chairman. "I am saddened and dismayed that the conduct of the chief executive officer, Sam Freas, has brought ISHOF into continued disrepute and controversy through a pattern of deception that I am unable to control or mitigate," Neuburger wrote in his resignation letter. Neuberger, president of Indiana Sports Corp. and United States Aquatic Sports, also is co-chair of the U.S. Olympic Committee's International Relations Committee and vice president of FINA.

Neuburger said Freas made false or exaggerated statements regarding the decision to move the hall to Daytona Beach or stay in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In 2001, the city voted down a proposal that would have expanded ISHOF with new pools and a museum, pitting Freas and others against members who wanted to stay in Fort Lauderdale.

Now that division has turned into a bitter internal dispute, as other members call for Freas' resignation.

Jack Nelson, coach of the Fort Lauderdale Swim Team and one of the withdrawn members leading the rally to ...