A former Bucknell University strength and conditioning coach, Mark Kulbis, now faces a cascade of criminal charges after a freshman football player collapsed during a preseason workout and died two days later.
The victim, Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr., was found dead after a session that included 100 “up‑downs” and full‑body plank drills, a routine that his medical history made especially perilous.
According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office, Dickey’s death was ruled a result of extreme exertion compounded by his sickle‑cell trait, a condition that can trigger rhabdomyolysis under intense physical stress.
Kulbis, who had been briefed about the athlete’s medical condition, is alleged to have ignored the risks and ordered the punishing drills as a form of discipline, a claim the attorney general described as intentional and deliberate hazing.
Legal and Institutional Repercussions
The lawsuit filed by Dickey’s family names Bucknell University, Kulbis and several school officials, arguing that standard safeguards for athletes with sickle‑cell trait were not observed, and that the tragedy could have been avoided.
Bucknell has cooperated with investigators but declined to comment publicly, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
The case has reignited discussion about the NCAA’s requirement that incoming athletes be screened for sickle‑cell trait and the organization’s guidance that coaches tailor conditioning programs to protect vulnerable players.
Michael Caspino, an attorney representing the family, emphasized that athletes with the trait should be gradually introduced to high‑intensity workouts rather than subjected to immediate, exhaustive drills.
Kulbis served as the program’s head strength coach for roughly six years before stepping down in January 2025, about six months after Dickey’s death.
Broader Implications
The incident underscores a fragile intersection of athletic ambition, medical oversight and institutional accountability, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of safety protocols across college programs.
As the legal process unfolds, the story serves as a somber reminder that the pursuit of victory must never eclipse the fundamental duty to protect the health of student‑athletes.