BLACK mobile logo

united states

Former Bucknell University football coach charged in hazing death of player

July 7, 2026

A former strength and conditioning coach at Bucknell University faces criminal charges, including felony aggravated hazing and involuntary manslaughter, following the 2024 death of freshman football player Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr. Prosecutors allege that coach Mark Kulbis forced the 18-year-old player to perform extremely demanding exercises despite being informed about Dickey's Sickle Cell trait, a condition that makes strenuous physical activity dangerous. The student collapsed during the grueling workout session and died in the hospital two days later, with medical examiners determining the death resulted from the combination of intense physical exertion, his medical condition, and muscle breakdown.

Who is affected

  • Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr. (the deceased 18-year-old freshman football player)
  • Dickey's family members
  • Mark Kulbis (former strength and conditioning coach facing criminal charges)
  • Other players who were subjected to the same workout routine
  • Bucknell University and its coaching staff (named in the wrongful death lawsuit)

What action is being taken

  • No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article. The charges have been filed and the lawsuit has been filed, but no current proceedings or ongoing investigations are mentioned.

Why it matters

  • This case highlights the critical importance of coaches recognizing and accommodating athletes' medical conditions, particularly Sickle Cell trait which affects vulnerability to strenuous exercise. It demonstrates how Pennsylvania's felony anti-hazing law, enacted after another student death in 2017, is being applied to hold individuals criminally accountable for hazing-related deaths. The case underscores that universities and athletic programs must implement and follow established safety protocols to protect student-athletes, as this death was deemed entirely preventable had proper precautions been taken.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC