Michigan State University has agreed to give a former strength and conditioning coach $195,000 to settle a discrimination lawsuit.
Mike Vorkapich, who is white and has Tourette’s syndrome, sued the university over “discriminatory treatment” in August. He was also the Director of Athletic Performance and Sports Science, according to his university profile.
Vorkapich alleged Athletic Director Alan Haller and Deputy Athletic Director Ashton Henderson, both named as defendants in the suit, demoted him twice without cause while colleagues who were younger, non-disabled, female or Black received pay raises and promotions.
The lawsuit was settled in May, but details of the agreement were only released Tuesday, in response to a public records request by The State News.
MSU agreed to pay Vorkapich $62,627.26 to compensate for the wages he says he had lost due to his alleged mistreatment, and another $62,627.26 for alleged “mental and emotional distress damages.”
The remaining $69,745.48 went to Vorkapich’s legal counsel.
His attorney, Scot Henshaw, did not respond a request for comment Wednesday. MSU Spokesperson Mark Bullion declined to comment on the settlement.
Both the university and Vorkapich agreed to settle the lawsuit to avoid “the continuing expense and burden of litigation,” according to the agreement.
Vorkapich resigned June 8, as stipulated by the settlement. He had been on paid leave since April 26, 2024.
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