Judge John Cleland rejected a motion from five of the accusers who had asked the court to allow them to use aliases or be protected from using their names, the Harrisburg, Pa., newspaper reports.
The judge writes that state law does not give him the authority to meet their request to use pseudonyms when testifying.
In his ruling, Cleland notes that both sides in the case had gone to great lengths during the pre-trial phase to protect the identities of the accusers, but that "once the trial begins, the veil must be lifted."
In a statement, attorneys Andrew Shubin and Justine Andronici, who represent several of the accusers, say they are "extremely disappointed" with the ruling, The Patriot-Herald reports, and argue that the accusers had "courageously" come forward in a desire to protect children from further harm.
While their testimony is critical to the public interest, the statement says, "their personal identities are not."
The charges against the 68-year-old Sandusky concern his relationships with boys he met through his charity for at-risk kids, Second Mile. Prosecutors allege Sandusky groomed the boys for sexual abuse, offering gifts and access to the team in addition to companionship.
Sandusky faces 52 charges he abused 10 boys over 15 years, allegations he has repeatedly denied. He remains confined to his home as he awaits trial.
At least some of the alleged abuse happened in the Penn State football team's facilities, prosecutors said. One of the alleged attacks was witnessed by former receivers coach Mike McQueary, then a graduate assistant.
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