A former strength and conditioning coach at Bucknell University has been charged in the death of a freshman football player who collapsed during a preseason workout in July 2024. The case has drawn statewide attention and raised questions about workplace safety in college athletics.
Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr., a 19‑year‑old rookie, was discovered to carry the sickle‑cell trait, a genetic condition that can impair blood flow and increase the risk of serious injury when athletes undergo extreme physical stress.
According to investigators, Coach Mark Kulbis ordered Dickey and several teammates to perform 100 “up‑downs” and full‑body plank drills as a form of punishment on the first day of practice. The drills quickly became overwhelming for Dickey, who began to struggle, lost consciousness and was rushed to a hospital.
Dickey died two days later. An autopsy cited the combination of exertional rhabdomyolysis, his underlying sickle‑cell trait, body weight and environmental factors as the cause of death, concluding that the exercises were the direct trigger.
Legal and Institutional Repercussions
Kulbis now faces felony aggravated hazing, a misdemeanor count of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and hazing. His bail has been set at $10,000, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has described the conduct as intentional and deliberate.
Bucknell University cooperated with the attorney general’s office and issued a statement expressing condolences to Dickey’s family. The family, represented by attorney Michael Caspino, has filed a lawsuit alleging that the death was completely avoidable had proper protocols for athletes with sickle‑cell trait been observed.
The lawsuit names the university, former coach Mark Kulbis and several school officials as defendants, arguing that well‑established practices to protect athletes with sickle‑cell trait were ignored. The family seeks accountability and changes to ensure future players are not placed in similar jeopardy.
The case has reignited discussion about the NCAA’s requirement that incoming athletes be screened for sickle‑cell trait and the duty of coaches to modify training when signs of distress appear. Medical experts note that the condition can lead to dehydration, muscle breakdown and potentially fatal outcomes under high heat or intense exertion.
Kulbis served as the program’s head strength and conditioning coach for roughly six years before departing in January 2025. The lawsuit seeks to hold the university and its officials responsible for what the family calls a preventable tragedy, while the university says it will continue to review and strengthen its safety policies.