A Preventable Death
A former Bucknell University strength and conditioning coach has been charged in connection with the death of a freshman football player who collapsed after being forced to endure a grueling series of workouts.
Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr., a 19‑year‑old rookie, was reportedly made to perform 100 up‑downs and a series of full‑body planks by Mark Kulbis, the coach at the time, despite warnings about his sickle cell trait.
Kulbis, who had received formal training on sickle cell conditions and hazing protocols, allegedly ignored the medical concerns raised by other staff members, pushing the student to the point of exhaustion.
The workout session left Dickey unconscious; he was taken to a hospital and died two days later on July 12, 2024. An autopsy cited a combination of the intense exertion, his underlying sickle cell trait, body weight and resulting exertional rhabdomyolysis as the cause of death.
Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday described the hazing as intentional and deliberate, stating that the tragedy could have been avoided if proper safeguards had been observed. Kulbis surrendered to authorities on July 6, with his bail set at $10,000 unsecured.
The case has reignited discussions about the culture of conditioning in college football programs and the responsibilities of coaching staff to protect athletes' health. Bucknell University has announced a review of its strength and conditioning policies in the wake of the incident.