Details of Michigan State University's settlement with former strength coach and director of athletic performance Mike Vorkapich, finalized in May, emerged this week thanks to an open records request by The State News student newspaper.
According to reporter Theo Scheer, Michigan State has agreed to pay Vorkapich $195,000. Vorkapich, who is white and has Tourette's Syndrome, sued the university in August over “discriminatory treatment," alleging that MSU athletic director Allan Haller and deputy athletic director Ashton Henderson demoted him twice without cause while colleagues who were younger, non-disabled, female or Black received pay raises and promotions.
Related: Michigan State, Strength Coach Settle Federal Lawsuit Over Discrimination
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,” Scheer reported, adding that the remaining $69,745.48 went to Vorkapich’s legal counsel.
Per Scheer's reporting, 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.
