One hour before his scheduled trial yesterday, UA football player Derrick Stewart changed his plea from not guilty to guilty of aggravated assault.

There was a "substantial likelihood the state could prove its case if it went to trial," George Roylston, counsel for Stewart, said after the hearing.

The 24-year-old media arts senior could face probation, up to two years in prison and paying restitution no more than $10,000.

The incident occurred May 21, 1995 at the Holiday Inn, 181 W. Broadway Blvd., during a party for Pacific 10 Conference athletes. A fight broke out between Stewart, the victim and the girlfriend of another player. The victim, a Davis-Monthan Air Force Base airman, was taken to Tucson Medical Center and treated for a broken jaw, according to police reports.

Sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. March 11. Stewart would not comment after the trial.

During the hearing, the judge asked that Stewart's daughter be taken out of the courtroom by her mother because she was making too much noise.

Tom Duddleston Jr., UA sports information director, said the department had no information on yesterday's events and it had no statement to make at the time.

Roylston said he couldn't believe the case went as far as it did. Part of the reason was the publicity because Stewart is a UA football player and other players have been in the news lately, he said. He said a local talk show would lead people to think all UA football players are "a bunch of thugs."

"If you look at the Star, they've got pictures of these kids on the front page like they were stealing nuclear secrets," Roylston said.

Stewart plans to graduate with a bachelor's degree in May, Roylston said, and wishes to get on with his life.