BELLEFONTE, Pa.—Penn State wants a judge to out former assistant football coach Mike McQueary's defamation and whistleblower lawsuit against the university on hold.

Lawyers for the university filed a motion Monday in Centre County court asking to prevent the lawsuit from moving forward while criminal charges are pending against two school administrators.

The school argues it wouldn't be fair to have the case proceed until the criminal charges are resolved against athletic director Tim Curley, now on leave, and retired vice president Gary Schultz.

Their trial is set for January on charges they didn't properly report suspected child abuse by Jerry Sandusky and lied to the grand jury that investigated him.

McQueary testified this summer that he saw the former Penn State defensive coach assault a boy in a team shower.