A Preventable Tragedy
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced criminal charges on Tuesday against former Bucknell University strength and conditioning coach Mark Kulbis, linking him to the death of freshman football player Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr. in 2024.
Prosecutors say Kulbis subjected Dickey to a series of excessive workouts despite being aware of the athlete’s sickle cell trait, a condition that can turn strenuous exercise into a life‑threatening crisis.
The workouts were not part of any approved training session and were carried out even after other coaches warned that Dickey was visibly struggling. According to the indictment, Kulbis failed to summon medical assistance until Dickey collapsed, and the athlete died two days later in a local hospital.
An autopsy determined that Dickey’s death resulted from a combination of the intense physical activity, his underlying sickle cell trait, his body weight and an ensuing case of exertional rhabdomyolysis. Attorney General Sunday emphasized that the fatal outcome was preventable and that Kulbis ignored both medical information and established NCAA anti‑hazing standards.
The charges include a felony count of aggravated hazing, along with misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and hazing. The aggravated hazing charge is brought under a Pennsylvania law that was enacted following the 2017 death of Penn State student Tim Piazza, underscoring the state’s commitment to stamping out dangerous hazing practices.
The investigation was initiated by the Union County District Attorney and subsequently transferred to the Attorney General’s Office. It serves as a stark reminder that institutional oversight and prompt medical response are essential to safeguarding student‑athletes, and it may influence future policy reviews across collegiate sports programs.