Lawsuit: Wayne State discriminated against student who wanted to be gym teacher because of weight

[MichMan]

A former Wayne State University student who wanted to become a teacher is suing the university for $1 million, alleging he was discriminated against because of his weight and disabilities when he wasn't allowed to do his student teaching virtually.

David Lopez, 44, was a student in the physical education kinesiology program, aiming to become a gym teacher. He finished every requirement for the program except for the student teaching.

Lopez weighs over 400 pounds and has diabetes, hypertension and asthma, according to the civil lawsuit filed earlier this year in Wayne Circuit Court.

"They don't think I fit the description of what a PE teacher was because I'm very overweight," Lopez said. "They didn't want me to graduate with my certification because I didn't fit what they perceived to be a gym teacher because of my size and because of my weight. There's no doubt that was the reason why. There was no other reason. I passed everything."

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2023/12/26/lawsuit-wayne-state-discriminated-against-student-because-of-weight/72030103007/