The sudden death of Calvin "C.J." Dickey Jr., a sophomore on Bucknell University’s football team, shocked his campus and the wider college sports community in early 2024.
Two years after his passing, former coach Mark Kulbis now faces criminal accusations that could reshape how college programs handle player safety.
Intense Workouts and Alleged Hazing
Prosecutors say Kulbis ordered a series of grueling drills, including roughly one hundred "up‑downs," despite being aware that Dickey carried the sickle‑cell trait, a condition that can turn strenuous exercise into a medical emergency.
According to the indictment, the coach did not summon medical assistance until Dickey collapsed, and the athlete died two days later in a hospital.
Family’s Response and Legal Action
Nicole Dickey, the player’s mother, publicly expressed gratitude that the state has pursued charges, saying the case validates the family’s long‑standing fight for accountability.
The Dickey family has launched the C.J. Dickey Foundation, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about sickle‑cell trait and promoting safe athletic practices for affected athletes.
In addition to the criminal case, the family filed a civil lawsuit against Bucknell University last April, seeking damages and policy changes.
Broader Implications for College Athletics
The NCAA requires all incoming athletes to be screened for sickle‑cell trait and provides guidelines for managing the condition during training, yet enforcement varies across programs.
Kulbis, who left Bucknell roughly six months after Dickey’s death, has maintained through his attorney that he bears no responsibility for the player’s demise, a claim that will be tested in upcoming court proceedings.