Former Strength and Conditioning Coach Charged in Death of Bucknell University Freshman Football Player

A former strength and conditioning coach at Bucknell University, Mark Kulbis, has been charged in the death of a freshman football player, Calvin ‘CJ’ Dickey Jr. The charges were announced by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office, which is investigating the circumstances surrounding Dickey’s death.

According to the attorney general’s office, Dickey was a freshman training in July 2024 at the university in Pennsylvania when he was ordered by Kulbis to perform 100 ‘up-downs’ along with some full-body plank drills. The ‘up-downs’ are also known as ‘burpees,’ which involve a person jumping to the ground face down and then coming back to a standing position repeatedly.

Dickey had been recruited to play lineman positions at the university and was known to have sickle-cell trait, a medical condition that can increase the risk of serious injury or death following extreme exertion. Despite knowing about Dickey’s condition, Kulbis had received training from the school on how to handle athletes with the trait and had been told about Dickey’s specific situation.

However, Kulbis allegedly disregarded this information and pushed Dickey to perform the intense exercise routine. Dickey started struggling and passed out during the training session, and he was taken to the hospital where he died two days later.

An autopsy found that Dickey’s death was caused by the exercises along with his sickle-cell trait, body weight, and exertional rhabdomyolysis, a rare but life-threatening condition in which muscles can break down from overexertion or other causes. The attorney general’s office stated that the facts show this was an intentional, deliberate hazing perpetrated by a coach who knew Dickey’s health condition made him vulnerable to extreme workouts.

Kulbis has been charged with felony aggravated hazing and misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and hazing. His bail was set at $10,000. The university has cooperated with the attorney general’s office throughout the investigation and has stated that it will not comment on the allegations or legal proceedings due to the matter being an active criminal case.

Dickey’s family had previously filed a lawsuit against the university, Kulbis, and several school officials, alleging that the athlete’s death was ‘completely avoidable.’ The lawsuit stated that if the defendants had followed well-established, well-known practices to protect athletes with sickle-cell trait, Dickey would still be alive today. The NCAA requires new athletes to be tested for sickle-cell trait, and its website states that the trait only becomes a threat in rare situations when athletes push the limits of their physical conditioning.

The NCAA’s website also provides guidance on how to handle athletes with sickle-cell trait, stating that coaches should conduct appropriate sport-specific conditioning based on sound scientific principles and be ready to intervene when student-athletes show signs of distress. Sickle-cell trait is a condition that is diagnosed through a blood test and does not usually affect people’s daily lives. However, it can cause decreased blood flow and muscle breakdown after intense exertion, dehydration, or high body temperatures, which can result in collapse and death in rare cases.

Kulbis served as the head football strength and conditioning coach for the university for about six years, according to his LinkedIn profile. He left the university in January 2025, about six months after Dickey’s death. The investigation into Dickey’s death is ongoing, and the charges against Kulbis are a significant development in the case.

The family of the deceased athlete has been advocating for greater awareness and education about sickle-cell trait and its risks for athletes. They have also been pushing for stricter regulations and guidelines for coaches and athletic departments to ensure that athletes with sickle-cell trait are protected and not put in harm’s way.

The case has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of college athletes, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions. It has also highlighted the need for coaches and athletic departments to prioritize the health and safety of their athletes and to take proactive steps to prevent injuries and deaths.

As the investigation continues, the family of the deceased athlete and the community are seeking justice and accountability for the tragic loss of life.