Despite being convicted of a felony earlier in the week, an Eastern football player will take the field in Saturday’s Family Weekend game against Tennessee State.

Damien M. McCottrell, 21, of 18 Douglas Hall, was found guilty of obstructing justice, a Class IV felony, Tuesday morning for his role in an altercation at Lawson Hall on Dec. 2, 2000.

McCottrell, a starting defensive tackle for the Panthers, intentionally misidentified counterpart Larry D. Jackson, Jr., of 308 Thomas Hall, to police when Jackson was arrested and charged with aggravated battery Dec. 2.

According to court documents McCottrell, “knowingly furnished false information to Jeff Endsley, a police officer, as to Jackson’s identity.” Documents say McCottrell identified Jackson as Eric Jones. A warrant was filed for McCottrell’s arrest Dec. 12.

McCottrell was then arrested and posted 10 percent of his $2,500 bond. He then pleaded innocent at his arraignment Dec. 18 and filled out an affidavit claiming zero income and requesting the services of a public defender.

The 6-foot, 298-pound tackle then waived his right to a jury trial and was found guilty by a judge in a bench trial Tuesday morning. McCottrell’s sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 17 at 1 p.m. in Coles County Circuit Court.

Assistant Coles County State’s Attorney Duane Deters said McCottrell could face a variety of sentences including a conditional discharge, probation or one to three years in prison.

“I’m not fully aware of his criminal history, that’s why we are holding a pre-sentencing investigation,” Deters said. “I don’t anticipate a prison sentence, he’ll probably either get probation or a conditional discharge.

“I just don’t see prison in his future, unless something pops up in his history that was absolutely heinous.”

Deters said a judicial hearing was held for McCottrell at Eastern. Judicial Affairs officer Keith Kohanzo, who was subpoened for the case, did not return calls to his office Wednesday.

Panther head coach Bob Spoo was aware McCottrell was involved in an incident last December, but had no knowledge of his starting tackle’s conviction as a felon.

“This is news to me,” Spoo said Thursday afternoon. “I believe I heard about a fight at Lawson and he happened to be there. I don’t remember much more about it other than he apparently witnessed it.”

Attempts to reach McCottrell Thursday night by phone were unsuccessful.

Spoo said the football program does have a policy in which serious misconduct results in the cancellation of financial aid and termination of the individual’s position on the team. Spoo said McCottrell’s case likely falls into a second category of the policy in which punishment for less serious misconduct that is detrimental to the football team is determined on a case by case basis in which penalties can consist of the reduction or cancelation of aid.

“I’m going to have to determine the severity of this – I haven’t even talked to the kid yet or heard his side of the story,” Spoo said. “This has obviously been ongoing for some time, but I don’t forsee him not playing in Saturday’s game.

“I’ll have to handle this like I would with anyone else, on a case by case basis.”

Director of Athletics Rich McDuffie was also unaware of McCottrell’s conviction. McDuffie said he would likely have the power to take action, but wouldn’t without first looking into the matter.

“Generally what we do in these cases is follow the lead of judicial affairs on campus,” McDuffie said. “We think they do a good job. But I would think the athletic director would have the ability to act within reason what he or she would feel is necessary.”

Spoo did not indicate whether McCottrell was punished earlier for his involvement in the incident, or if he would in the future. The one thing that is clear is that McCottrell will suit up Saturday.

“He’s a good kid and he’s not been a problem for us,” Spoo said. “It seems to me that it was a case where he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”