UPDATED: Illinois State’s Coprich suspended following drug charge

Marshaun Coprich
Marshaun Coprich was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-MVFC honoree in 2014. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)

By Eric Stock

NORMAL – Illinois State football coach Brock Spack has announced running back Marshaun Coprich has been suspended indefinitely following his arrest on drug charges last week.

“Marshaun has been suspended, effective immediately,” Spack said in a statement.  “Though we are disappointed that he is in this situation, we will let the process continue before a final decision is made.”

According to McLean County court records, Coprich, 20, was arrested last week on a charge of unlawful delivery of marijuana. He allegedly tried to sell between 10 and 30 grams of the drug to an undercover agent with Illinois State Police Task Force Six on April 16. He was released from custody on his own recognizance and faces a May 22 court date.

The offense carries a possible sentence of anywhere from probation to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections if convicted.

Coprich, a native of Victorville, Calif., was a first-team All-American during his junior season in leading the Redbirds to a trip to the FCS Championship Game. He led FCS in rushing yards and touchdowns.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…