Andrekovich

HOLLIDAYSBURG — The former Bellwood-Antis School District head wrestling coach who failed to keep fellow coach Ryan Blazier from unsupervised contact with students in 2019 and 2020 was sentenced to three months to 23 months in prison on Monday.

Timothy Andrekovich, 60, was previously convicted on one felony count of endangering the welfare of children following a jury trial in early July.

In addition to the jail sentence, Senior Judge Richard A. Lewis of Dauphin County, who presided over Andrekovich’s jury trial, ordered him to pay a $2,500 fine and complete 200 hours of community service.

Supporters of both Blazier’s victims and Andrekovich filled the courtroom, with several of them being there to read character statements on Andrekovich’s behalf prior to his sentencing.

Christine Claar, who worked with Andrekovich at Bellwood-Antis, said he was a “stable influence” for the district’s students and “helped the wrestlers reach their full potential.”

“He would never intentionally or unintentionally put anyone in harm’s way,” Claar said.

Andrekovich’s daughter Lindsey Harshaw said it was hard to listen to the testimony because her father “did everything in his power” to protect his students and wrestlers.

“His idea of fun is taking care of other people,” Harshaw said.

Andrekovich chose not to address the court, saying through his attorney Lance T. Marshall that he would allow his friends’ and families’ statements to speak for him.

Deputy Attorney General Julia van Leeuwen then called witnesses to provide statements for the Commonwealth.

Sheri Noonan, who was the president of the Bellwood Wrestling Boosters at the time of the assaults, told Lewis she could say a lot about what happened but would show restraint.

As booster president, Noonan said she was the one who confronted Andrekovich about the abuse, but “got the impression that Tim did not care, everything was under control and it wasn’t a big deal.”

Noonan looked to the people gathered in support of Andrekovich and said that “the same compassion shown for Tim” was not extended by the community to the victim or his family.

The victim, who attended the hearing with his mother via Zoom, asked Lewis for a sentence with jail time, saying “Tim was supposed to support me.”

The victim said following his assault, he was diagnosed with major PTSD and anxiety and that “I always have to look back” in fear.

“He failed to protect me from a monster,” the victim said.

When the victim’s mother spoke, she took regular pauses to collect herself. She began her statement by saying Andrekovich “failed his duty as a coach and teacher.”

The victim’s mother said her son “has attempted suicide” and continues to have suicidal ideations. She said they moved to a different state after their family felt judged and were “being called liars.”

“His teenage life has been taken away from him,” the victim’s mother said.

She then asked for Andrekovich to be held fully accountable because his enablement of Blazier’s crimes was “not a small act.”

Marshall argued that if any case warranted a mitigated sentence, it was Andrekovich’s because the circumstances of the case were unlikely to recur. He said Andrekovich is financially stable, has no issues with drugs or alcohol and has no prior record.

Marshall then asked for a mitigated sentence of probation.

Van Leeuwen disagreed, saying Andrekovich showed no accountability and even denied the victim was a victim during court.

“This is not one of those small lapses of judgement,” van Leeuwen said. “This is the pinnacle of child endangerment cases. The danger was realized; the danger occurred.”

Van Leeuwen asked Lewis to judge Andrekovich at the top of the standard range for a sentence of one to two years.

Before handing down Andrekovich’s sentence, Lewis said those who spoke on behalf of Andrekovich were “certainly well meaning, sincere and impactful.”

“However, there is another side to this case,” Lewis said. “There was a duty of care, a duty to protect — which is the most important duty. The jury found the ball was dropped in that regard.”

Once the sentence was read, Marshall asked for a report date and bail pending appeal, both of which were granted. While van Leeuwen requested monetary bail, Lewis said Andrekovich wasn’t a flight risk and kept his bail at $50,000 unsecured.

Andrekovich is required to report to the Blair County Prison no later than noon Sept. 29. Marshall said he has secured other counsel for any further appeals.

Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor-Musselman is at 814-946-7458.