Former Swimming Coach Dr. Freas Passes Away

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.- Former head swimming coach Dr. Sam Freas, one of the most accomplished in program history, passed away last night. Freas celebrated his 72nd birthday Saturday.

Selected as head coach of the Arkansas men’s swimming program in 1978, he remained with the Razorbacks until 1985. His impact on the program was immediate, producing the team’s first 14 All-Americans and three top-15 NCAA finishes in five years. His swimmers at Arkansas went on to set seven American records and three world records, as well as winning one world championship. Freas sent 19 total swimmers to the Olympics, 11 of which were Razorbacks.

A four-time Southwest Conference Coach of the Year, he finished his tenure on the Hill with an 84-15 dual meet record and multiple top-10 finishes. Freas coached the United States team at the USA meet in 1982, was the 1982 Olympic Training camp coach, and was selected to coach at the National Sports Festival and the 1983 World University Games.

Leaving Arkansas for LSU, Freas spent three seasons as the men’s and women’s head swimming coach. He led the Tigers to a 59-14 dual record and a 1988 SEC Men’s Championship. While in Baton, Rouge, La., Freas coached current Arkansas swimming and diving head coach Neil Harper.

“Sam was a Razorback through and through and he meant so much to so many of us,” Harper said. “I am proud and honored to follow in his footsteps as the head coach here at Arkansas. Not only was he a coach, but he was a mentor, a father figure, a motivator, and a family man. While at Arkansas, he put the program in the national spotlight and had so many student-athletes become conference champions, NCAA All-Americans, and world record holders. At LSU he raised the bar for our program with an SEC Championship and sixth-place NCAA finish, and just like at Arkansas brought individuals from all over the world to be on one team and with one goal.”

Following stints at Allegheny College, Arkansas, LSU, Hawaii, and SUNY Potsdam, Freas started the men’s and women’s programs at Oklahoma Baptist in 2011. While with the Bison, he guided both programs from NAIA affiliates to NCAA Division II champions. He remained with Oklahoma Baptist until his death.

“The great thing about coming to Arkansas is meeting all the swimming and diving alumni and staff that Sam worked with all those years ago,” Harper continued. “We have been able to connect so many generations of Razorbacks that now feel totally connected to today’s team. Sam inspired quite a few of us to go into collegiate coaching and has stayed in touch with most of his athletes as we all moved into the real world to become parents and successful adults. His larger than life personality and continuous love and care for all of his athletes will be what I always remember. Sam would do anything to help anyone out. We will all miss him, but I know he has shared so much advice and knowledge with all of us that we take a piece of him with us as we all continue our own journey.”

An author of several books on swimming, Freas served as president and CEO of the International Swimming Hall of Fame from 1989-2004.