Youth Football Coach Sentenced for Stealing Thousands

Toledo, OH – In a shocking turn of events, former Genoa youth football coach Phil Antry was sentenced to two years of probation and 30 days in the Ottawa County Detention Facility for stealing thousands of dollars from the Genoa Little Comets football league.

Court records reveal that Antry pled guilty to a theft charge, which was amended from a grand theft charge on July 1 in Ottawa County. Along with his probation and jail time, Antry is required to complete 100 hours of community service, take a course in ethics or fiduciary responsibilities, and pay restitution.

Clay Township Police Chief Terry Mitchell reported that the investigation began in October 2022, when one of the league's founders, Tom Wojciechowski, noticed suspicious activity on the team's account. Wojciechowski, who had gone to watch his grandson play, was alarmed by the outdated equipment and the sharp increase in the cost to play. Additionally, the number of participating kids had dwindled.

"We went through the season needing some things, and Antry kept saying he couldn’t get it,” Wojciechowski explained. While Antry claimed that necessary gear wasn’t available, the items were easily found online, prompting Wojciechowski and others to buy it themselves.

Wojciechowski got copies of the bank statements from another cosigner on the account, uncovering transactions that included fast food purchases, ATM withdrawals, and numerous payments through platforms like PayPal, Venmo, and Amazon.

Antry, who had managed the Genoa Little Comets for over five years, was charged in January 2024. This alarming breach of trust has prompted Wojciechowski and other league members to restructure the organization, transforming it into a nonprofit registered through the state to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The case serves as a reminder to community organizations about the importance of transparency and accountability. Parents and participants are hopeful that the new measures will safeguard the integrity of the league and restore trust among the community.