October 1, 2025 - by Herman Law
In November 2023, the Bellwood-Antis School District agreed to pay $1 million to a former student who had been sexually abused by wrestling coach Ryan Blazier. The settlement, which only became public in January 2024 after a Right-to-Know request, was more than just a financial agreement—it was an acknowledgment of the years of pain, silence, and struggle that the survivor endured before justice could be reached.
As coach of the junior-high wrestling team, Ryan Blazier held a position of authority and trust. But behind closed doors, he used that trust to isolate and abuse young athletes. At Blazier’s criminal trial in October 2021, two students courageously came forward to share their experiences under oath.
One boy testified that during a one-on-one session in the wrestling room, Blazier pulled down his shorts and digitally penetrated him. A janitor, alerted by the child’s screams, unlocked the door and discovered Blazier crouched behind the boy. When confronted, Blazier dismissed the assault as an attempt to “man [him] up.” He later threatened the boy, warning that he would harm him and his father if he ever spoke about what happened.
Another boy testified that Blazier often singled him out as his wrestling partner, where “training” included Blazier squeezing and pinching his groin and testicles. After engaging in “wrestle-offs” with other students, Blazier would isolate him in the wrestling room and let the winning student go back to the team’s practice. The boy described how Blazier stripped away his clothing, covered his face with a shirt, and sodomized him against the wall. When he cried out or tried to fight back, Blazier silenced him with punches and a hand over his mouth. The boy also believed a foreign object was used during one assault. Like the first victim, he was warned that if he ever told anyone, Blazier would “come after” him.
Both boys were only 13 years old at the time of their assaults.
A Blair County jury convicted Blazier of seven counts, including aggravated indecent assault; two counts each of institutional sexual assault, witness intimidation, and corruption of minors. In January 2022, the court sentenced him to consecutive prison terms totaling 21 to 42 years.
The judge made clear that Blazier’s lack of remorse was striking—but even more significant was the devastation he left behind. The court described how Blazier had “stolen their childhood, extinguished the light of their youth and their innocence to which every child is entitled.”
Blazier appealed his conviction, but in November 2023, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania upheld both the verdict and the sentence, rejecting his challenges.
While the criminal case ensured that Blazier would spend decades behind bars, the civil settlement brought another measure of justice. In November 2023, the district approved a $1 million agreement with one survivor—a decision later disclosed to the public in January 2024.
The settlement could never erase the trauma of what happened, but it carried weight: it affirmed the survivor’s voice and made clear that institutions cannot escape accountability for ignoring warning signs and failing to protect children.
Tragically, Blazier’s crimes were not the end of the story. In 2025, the district’s head varsity wrestling coach, Timothy Andrekovich, was convicted and jailed for obstructing the investigation. Even after concerns were raised about Blazier, Andrekovich continued to give him unsupervised access to students.
His conviction emphasized another painful truth: abuse thrives in silence, and those who protect abusers rather than children share responsibility for the harm. Covering up abuse is itself a crime, and the damage it causes can be just as lasting.
At Herman Law, we know the immense courage it takes for survivors to come forward. Every time a survivor speaks out, they not only reclaim their own voice but also shine a light on the systems that failed to protect them.
Our firm exclusively represents survivors of sexual abuse. It is all we do. Through civil litigation, we help survivors secure the resources they need for healing while holding schools, churches, and other institutions accountable for allowing abuse to occur.
If you were sexually abused as a child by a coach, teacher, or another individual in a position of authority, you do not have to face this alone. At Herman Law, we are here to listen, support, and fight for justice.
Contact us today for a free confidential consultation.
Disclaimer: Herman Law did not represent any individuals in the criminal or civil cases mentioned above.
Commonwealth v. Blazier, No. 702 WDA 2022 (Pa. Super. Ct. Nov. 9, 2023). Retrieved from https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/superior-court/2023/702-wda-2022.html
Darnay, M. (2025, August 26). Former Pennsylvania high school wrestling coach sentenced to prison over mishandling sexual assault investigation. CBS Pittsburgh. https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pennsylvania-high-school-wrestling-coach-prison-sentence-sexual-assault-investigation/
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. (2025, July 8). Verdict: Bellwood Antis School District head wrestling coach convicted for his role in covering up sexual abuse at school. https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/verdict-bellwood-antis-school-district-head-wrestling-coach-convicted-for-his-role-in-covering-up-sexual-abuse-at-school/
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. (2025, August 25). Bellwood-Antis School District head wrestling coach jailed for his role in sexual abuse investigation. https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/bellwood-antis-school-district-head-wrestling-coach-jailed-for-his-role-in-sexual-abuse-investigation/
Stephens, K. (2024, January 4). Bellwood settles with student for $1M. Altoona Mirror. https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2024/01/bellwood-settles-with-student-for-1m/
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by an attorney at Herman Law, with legal experience in helping victims of sexual abuse.
Speaking up is never easy—but you’re not alone. If you’re ready to explore your legal options, our compassionate team at Herman Law is here to listen, support, and guide you forward. Reach out today in complete confidence.
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