Documentary Highlights Decades-Long Fight for Justice by Survivors of Dr. Richard Strauss’ Abuse
COLUMBUS, OHIO – June 5, 2025: Sauder Schelkopf LLC, a national law firm representing survivors of sexual abuse, applauds the upcoming release of Surviving Ohio State, a powerful new HBO documentary that premieres June 17 and will stream on Max. Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Eva Orner and produced by George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and David Glasser, the film exposes decades of sexual abuse by former Ohio State University physician Dr. Richard Strauss and the university’s longstanding failure to act.
The documentary features emotional and unflinching testimony from survivors—including former All-American wrestler and UFC champion Mark Coleman—who courageously recount their experiences and the institutional betrayal they faced. The project, several years in the making, is based in part on a 2020 Sports Illustrated exposé by Jon Wertheim, who also serves as executive producer.
“The release of Surviving Ohio State is a watershed moment for the survivors,” said Joseph Sauder, partner of Sauder Schelkopf. “These men have waited far too long to be heard. Their courage in sharing their stories—and the national platform this film provides—brings critical visibility to the systemic failures that allowed abuse to continue unchecked for decades.”
Sauder Schelkopf filed one of the earliest class action lawsuits in 2018 on behalf of OSU survivors, alleging that university officials had knowledge of Strauss’ misconduct dating back to 1979 and failed to take appropriate action. A 2019 independent investigation commissioned by OSU concluded that Strauss abused at least 177 male students between 1978 and 1998 and that complaints were never elevated beyond the athletic and student health departments.
The film, produced by Smokehouse Pictures and 101/Sports Illustrated Studios, is expected to reignite national dialogue about institutional accountability and survivor justice.
Sauder Schelkopf remains committed to representing survivors of sexual abuse nationwide, with ongoing cases involving schools, religious institutions, and other organizations. The firm continues to fight for transparency, accountability, and justice for all survivors.
About Sauder Schelkopf
Sauder Schelkopf has a nationally recognized litigation practice. The firm currently serves as court-appointed lead counsel in courts across the country. The attorneys at Sauder Schelkopf have recovered over $1 billion on behalf of their clients and class members. LawDragon has recognized our attorneys in its list of the “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” for 2022. Mr. Schelkopf was named to Pennsylvania’s Best Lawyers® 2022 for Class Actions/Mass Tort Litigation. The American Lawyer named Mr. Sauder to its 2021 Northeast Trailblazers. The honor recognizes 60 lawyers who are “truly agents of change.” It “recognizes professionals in the Northeast who have moved the needle in the legal industry.” The Legal Intelligencer named Mr. Sauder and Mr. Schelkopf in its 2020 Pennsylvania Trailblazers list recognizing 31 lawyers who “have taken extra measures to contribute to positive outcomes . . . and who are truly agents of change.” Our attorneys have also consistently been recognized by their peers being named to Pennsylvania SuperLawyer, a distinction held by the top 5% of attorneys in Pennsylvania.