A Bucknell University coach has been charged with aggravated hazing, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment after a freshman football player died during a 2024 practice session.
The deceased, Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr., was a first‑year student‑athlete who collapsed after a series of intense drills imposed by Mark Kulbis, the university’s offensive line coach.
According to investigators, Dickey carried the genetic marker for sickle cell trait, a condition that can increase the risk of sudden death under extreme physical stress, and had previously warned coaches of his medical limitation.
The Investigation Unfolds
Despite those warnings, Kulbis continued to subject the player to punishing exercises, ignoring repeated safety concerns raised by teammates and medical staff.
The coroner’s report linked Dickey’s death to a combination of the strenuous workout, his sickle cell trait and exertional rhabdomyolysis, a breakdown of muscle tissue that can trigger kidney failure.
Kulbis is alleged to have been fully aware of Dickey’s condition and had previously attended a training session on sickle cell trait and hazing risks, yet chose to disregard the guidance.
Legal and Medical Context
The felony aggravated hazing charge stems from a law enacted after the 2017 death of Tim Piazza at Penn State University, a tragedy that prompted legislative reforms across several states.
Attorney General Dave Sunday emphasized that hazing is not a harmless rite of passage but a criminal act that can humiliate, dehumanize and take lives.
Institutional Response and Reform
Bucknell University has placed Kulbis on administrative leave while the criminal proceedings move forward, and the institution has pledged to review its hazing prevention policies.
The incident also underscores the broader responsibility of coaching staff to balance competitive ambition with the health and safety of student‑athletes, a duty that experts say must be enforced through rigorous oversight.
Looking Forward
As the case proceeds, families, schools and sports organizations are watching closely for signs of systemic change. The outcome may set a precedent for how colleges handle medical disclosures and enforce anti‑hazing statutes, potentially reshaping the culture of college athletics for years to come.