Swimmer Wins Look at Club’s Books

The renowned Mission Viejo Nadadores Swim Program was ordered Monday to open its records to a 17-year-old swimmer who was kicked off the team.

Orange County Superior Court Judge William F. McDonald ruled that Frank E. Wattles IV, as a dues-paying member of the club, has a right to examine its books.

But McDonald turned down Wattles’ prime request: that coach Terry W. Stoddard reinstate him.

In a lawsuit filed by his father, Wattles has asked for unspecified damages for loss of training and “future college athletic scholarships” for his expulsion.

The lawsuit represents one part of a wider dispute that flared two years ago when 10-year veteran head coach Mark Schubert quit and Stoddard was named in his place.

The Nadadores program at one time held 90 U.S. and 21 world swimming records. Its members have won 11 Olympic gold medals, six silver and one bronze. Its swimmers have included 141 individual national champions and five world champions.

But the swim program has run into rougher water since Schubert’s departure. Under Schubert, the Nadadores’ senior team averaged more than 60 swimmers. But since then, there have usually been about 20 swimmers on the senior team. Senior team members are usually those who compete in major national and international events, including the U.S. Swim Championships and the Olympics.

After Schubert departed, some of the most talented of the swimmers followed him to Mission Bay, Fla., where he now coaches. Last year, Schubert’s new team won the long-course national title, which the Mission Viejo club had won in 1985.

Wattles’ father, Frank Sr., a lawyer who filed the lawsuit last month, has been highly critical of the program since Stoddard’s selection as head coach two years ago.

He has also sued Mission Viejo Co., which pays the salaries of the 10 swim program coaches, on behalf of Nels Jorgenson, another candidate for the top spot who was passed over and then fired in 1985.

In the lawsuit, Wattles wants Stoddard disciplined for what he calls “mistreatment” of team members, including allegations of harassment an one accusation of a physical confrontation with a team member. Mission Viejo Co. lawyer Edmond M. Connor said the allegations are groundless.

Efforts to reach Stoddard on Monday through the Mission Viejo Co. were not successful. A Mission Viejo Co. spokesman declined to comment.

About 300 swimmers are in the program. The Mission Viejo Co. pays for coaches and facilities. A parent booster club helps raise money for the program.

Ninety-five youths above age 13 now compete, with the most prestigious group being the senior national team.

Wattles, a high school All American, and his sister, Alison, 16, were on the senior team starting in 1985.

Stoddard alleged in a court declaration that both youngsters were poisoned by their father’s open criticism of his regime and continuous attempts to undermine it.

Both were placed on probation earlier this year after being accused of missing practices and ignoring directions of the coaches. Alison remains on the senior national team.

But the younger Wattles was dropped Aug. 27. He had missed 40 practices over the summer, missed 15 of 19 weight-training programs in one five-week period and exhibited a “belligerent and uncooperative attitude,” according to a declaration by Stoddard in the court file.

In the declaration, Stoddard acknowledged that both youths objected to a transfer to the senior national team.

McDonald, from the bench, urged both lawyers to settle the dispute.

The elder Wattles called McDonald’s preliminary injunction issued Monday “a start” toward his goal of understanding the club’s finances.

Fund-raising for the swimming program, which has helped mold an image of distinction for the Southern Orange County community, comes from varied sources. Parents of swimmers pay dues of $35 to $70 a month. A booster club raises funds. There are also corporate contributors and solicitations by swim team members themselves.

Connor, defending the disciplinary procedures, said the swimmer had been given notice, warning and was placed on probation.

Connor said Wattles has exerted “constant pressure” on Stoddard and the team for the last two years.

“This has lead to a terrible polarization of what used to be a very good swim team, and hopefully will be again,” Connor said.