Former coach at Bucknell University charged – “`html
Former Coach at Bucknell University Charged in Freshman Football Player’s Death
The Former coach at Bucknell University has been formally charged following the tragic death of a freshman football player who collapsed during summer training. Mark Kulbis, who served as the strength and conditioning coach, faces multiple felony and misdemeanor counts after Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr. died two days after being forced to perform intense exercises despite having sickle-cell trait.
Charges and Investigation Details
Kulbis, identified as the Former coach at Bucknell University in official documents, was charged with felony aggravated hazing along with misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and hazing. The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office set bail at $10,000 for the coach, who had been with the university for approximately six years before departing in January 2025.
According to the attorney general’s office, the Former coach at Bucknell University was the only coach present in the training room when Dickey began struggling. The autopsy revealed that the player’s death resulted from a combination of the exercises, his sickle-cell trait, body weight, and exertional rhabdomyolysis—a condition where muscles break down from extreme physical stress.
Medical Background and NCAA Standards
Dickey had been recruited to play lineman positions at Bucknell University when the incident occurred in July 2024. The Former coach at Bucknell University had previously received training from the school regarding Dickey’s medical condition and was aware of NCAA anti-hazing standards. Despite this knowledge, Kulbis reportedly disregarded established protocols for athletes with sickle-cell trait.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday emphasized the deliberate nature of the incident in his statement. “The facts show this was an intentional, deliberate hazing perpetrated by a coach who knew C.J.’s health condition made him vulnerable to extreme workouts,” Sunday stated. He noted that the defendant received both information about Dickey’s health and training on NCAA standards before the tragedy.
The NCAA requires all new athletes to be tested for sickle-cell trait through blood testing. According to the organization’s website, the trait typically only becomes dangerous when “athletes push the limits of their physical conditioning.” The NCAA further advises that “coaches should conduct appropriate sport-specific conditioning based on sound scientific principles and be ready to intervene when student-athletes show signs of distress.”
Legal Actions and University Response
Bucknell University has cooperated fully with investigators throughout the criminal proceedings. In an official statement, the institution noted that while it would not comment on ongoing allegations, it remains committed to supporting the investigation. “Because this is now an active criminal matter, and related civil litigation remains pending, the University will not comment on the allegations or legal proceedings,” the statement explained.
Dickey’s family filed a lawsuit last year against the university, Kulbis, and several school officials. The legal action argues that the athlete’s death was “completely avoidable” had proper protocols been followed. Michael Caspino, representing the family, explained that athletes with sickle-cell trait should be “eased into their practice regiment” rather than subjected to intense workouts on their first day.
The lawsuit details how Dickey and several freshman teammates were ordered to perform “up-downs”—also known as burpees—as punishment for not completing drills correctly. The Former coach at Bucknell University instructed the players to complete 100 repetitions along with full-body plank exercises, pushing them beyond safe limits given Dickey’s medical condition.
Sickle-cell trait, while rarely affecting daily life, can cause decreased blood flow and muscle breakdown following intense exertion, dehydration, or elevated body temperatures. In extremely rare instances, these factors combine to produce collapse and death, as tragically occurred with Dickey under the supervision of the Former coach at Bucknell University.
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