On May 24, 2001, the City of Fort Lauderdale Commission voted 3 to 2 to reject a 30 million dollar gift to build a new facility to house the ISHOF museum, library and connected swimming and diving pools. Having been in Fort Lauderdale since its inception 36 years ago, ISHOF's rejection was in favor of constructing a condominium, retail and park complex on the adjacent site 3 blocks north of the current ISHOF site, also the proposed site of a new ISHOF. An outcry of local, national and international support for ISHOF and disgust in the outcome of the vote, inspired other cities to contact ISHOF to offer alternative sites.

Over the summer months, the most serious of offers came from Hollywood, Florida, Pompano Beach, Florida, Sunny Isles, Florida, and Fort Lauderdale (on a lesser scale than that of the May 24 vote). The ISHOF Board of Directors met in September and authorized ISHOF President and CEO, Dr. Sam Freas, to pursue the Hollywood offer as it appeared to be the most beneficial to ISHOF.

Together with developer Michael Swerdlow, Sam began negotiations with Hollywood officials. An announcement was made declaring Hollywood's intention to build ISHOF a new home on the beach in its city. Ensuing weeks of discussion led to a display of citizen unrest, not against ISHOF but against the removal of a small number of citizen's homes displaced to make room for the building of condominiums needed to finance the new ISHOF facility. Because of this new dilemma placed on the Hollywood commission in regards to its citizens, ISHOF withdrew pursuing a move to this city.

Within days, Pompano Beach re-enacted its desire to lure ISHOF to a six acre site on and near Pompano's beach. Negotiations are presently under way to fulfill this plan. Pompano Beach is a wonderful city located only 10 miles north of Fort Lauderdale on the Atlantic Ocean. Discussions will include doubling the current size of the ISHOF museum and library, building new swimming and diving pools, incorporating the Pompano Fishing Pier as an ISHOF landmark much like the old Fort Lauderdale Water Tower used to be and improving meeting and banquet quarters. A move to Pompano Beach would not be a move out of the area that so many of ISHOF'S supporters have grown to enjoy and appreciate. It would be a move up the beach to a more politically friendly area.

While these negotiations have been taking place over the past two months, numerous local media releases from a few Fort Lauderdale officials have tried to smear the names of ISHOF, Sam Freas and Michael Swerdlow in an attempt to degrade the value of ISHOF. If you have been following the progress of these media releases, do not believe their content. Attacks in the press against ISHOF and Sam Freas with the intent to downgrade ISHOF, could fool the public into accepting ISHOF's leaving.

Sam Freas, ISHOF staff, Board of Directors and developer Swerdlow have only the best interest of ISHOF at heart. ISHOF's Board of Directors and Executive Board have repeatedly voted their support of Sam for his ability to do what is right to negotiate the fairest outcome for all concerned. ISHOF is really close to acquiring a new home. We do not want to get into a battle in the press. We will do all we can in support of ISHOF in discussions with Pompano Beach. A solid foundation for ISHOF's future is at stake. The truth to these false allegations will come out. ISHOF is your Hall of Fame, and your support is always welcomed.

We will bring you developments as they happen.

*Buck Dawson, Executive Director Emeritus, served as ISHOF's founding Executive Director beginning in 1965 and continues to serve on the Board of Directors.

*Bob Duenkel, ISHOF's Executive Director and Curator has been with ISHOF since 1976.