Coach's case goes to judge

The judge will make a ruling next week.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Blows were thrown after a 2005 junior high school wrestling match, and now a coach waits to see if he will be convicted of misdemeanor assault.
Joseph Blazak, Canfield Middle School wrestling coach, is accused of punching the parent of an opposing-team wrestler during the league championship tournament in February 2005. Judge Michael Bernard heard closing arguments in the case Thursday and will issue a ruling sometime next week.
If convicted, Blazak could face a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
City Prosecutor Bob Johnson said Blazak became angry during the tournament at Liberty High School because he felt one of his wrestlers had been intentionally head-butted.
He said John Drummond of Niles, the father of the boy Blazak accused of doing the head-butting, approached Blazak after the match and a confrontation ensued.
Johnson said Blazak told Drummond, "I got something for your son," as the two men argued about the head-butting. He said Drummond followed Blazak into the area of the arena reserved for coaches to question what Blazak meant by the comment. Blazak, he said, yelled at Drummond, challenged him to a fight and eventually struck him in the face.
Blazak's testimony
Blazak, who took the stand Thursday, told a different story, however.
Under questioning from his lawyer, Atty. Ben Joltin, Blazak said Drummond approached him in an agitated state after the match and said his son did not intentionally head-butt anyone.
Blazak told the court he tried to turn his back and walk away from Drummond, but Drummond followed him into the area reserved for coaches using foul language. He said he was fearful for his safety.
Blazak said he turned to tell Drummond to leave the area, but Drummond threatened him and threw a punch knocking off his glasses. Blazak said he hit Drummond in the chin after he had been struck by Drummond.
On cross-examination, Johnson asked Blazak why he would turn his back on a man he feared and why he did not attempt to notify security if Drummond had become a problem as a spectator.
Blazak said he just wanted to get away from Drummond and defuse the situation.
Both sides have presented several witnesses over the last several months.
jgoodwin@vindy.com