Wayne State University student, David Lopez, who tipped the scales at 400lb sues the school for $1 million after claiming he was prevented from becoming a gym teacher because of his weight
- David Lopez argued that he should be able to complete teaching his students remotely because of his weight
- The student teacher has diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma which makes standing and walking impossible difficult
- Wayne State called for the lawsuit to be dismissed, calling it 'frivolous'
A 400-pound gym teacher from Michigan is suing his school for $1 million, claiming he was discriminated against because of his weight after his request to teach his students was all but denied.
David Lopez, 44, claims Wayne State University deliberately prevented him from qualifying because he “doesn't fit the description of a gym teacher.”
The physical education kinesiology student had completed every aspect of his studies except student teaching.
He claims his diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma mean he should have completed the student portion of his course remotely.
“They didn't want me to graduate with my degree because because of my height and because of my weight, I didn't fit into what they saw as a gym teacher,” Lopez told The Detroit News.
Wayne State University student gym teacher David Lopez, who weighs 400 pounds, is suing the school alleging discrimination
Professor Nate McCaughtry heads the Department of Kinesiology, Health and Sports Studies, where Lopez was enrolled. Lopez claims the school refused to accommodate his disability by teaching him remotely
'There's no doubt that was the reason. There was no other reason. I passed everything.'
Lopez is a student in the Detroit-based university's Department of Kinesiology, Health and Sports Studies, led by professor and assistant dean Nate McCaughtry.
Lopez was assigned to Dearborn Public Schools for his teaching duties as a student.
The district was willing to make adjustments based on Lopez's weight, but was denied by Wayne State, according to papers filed in Wayne Circuit Court.
“All I asked for was accommodations, either virtually or through physical accommodations in a classroom,” Lopez said. “The school I attended was willing to give me a virtual setting, but Wayne State was not.”
He completed some of his student teaching with unofficial accommodations at an elementary school in Dearborn, but was told not to report for the second half of the program at the middle level.
“It got to the point where I had no other choice,” Lopez said. “I left with no diploma, no diploma, nothing.”
He is also seeking to be reinstated on the trail and said legal action was a last resort.
“Suing the school was my last option,” Lopez said. “I didn't want to do it, but I do it because I have nothing and now I have no way to make a living because they took away the opportunity to get a degree from me. All I asked for was a reasonable accommodation.”
In a countersuit, Wayne State has asked that the legal action be dismissed as “frivolous” and stated that there is no legal claim for weight discrimination against an educational institution.
Wayne State officials added that it was unable to determine educational requirements for districts' students.
Lopez said he has always enjoyed team sports and previously had a coaching job after high school.
He added that although he cannot participate in all activities, he did not feel that this would stop him from being a good teacher.
But he said his experiences at Wayne State took the joy out of teaching.
DailyMail.com has contacted the university for comment.