The tragic death of a promising young athlete has sparked legal actions and raised serious questions about sports safety protocols. Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr., a Bucknell University freshman and aspiring pharmacist from Tampa, Florida, passed away just two days after collapsing during a grueling football practice session. His death has led to criminal charges against a former coach, highlighting the potential dangers of hazing practices in collegiate sports.
Legal Proceedings and Hazing Allegations
On Monday, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General announced charges against former Bucknell strength and conditioning coach, Mark Kulbis. He faces felony aggravated hazing and misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and hazing. Kulbis, arraigned in Union County, was released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
Calvin Dickey Jr., known as CJ, collapsed on July 10, 2024, during a training session that allegedly involved extreme calisthenic exercises, despite warnings about his sickle cell trait. He died on July 12, 2024. The Attorney General, Dave Sunday, stated, “The facts show this was an intentional, deliberate hazing perpetrated by a coach who knew C.J.’s health condition made him vulnerable to extreme workouts.”
Details of the Incident
According to the prosecution, Kulbis instructed Dickey and other players to perform 100 “up-downs” and several full-body plank drills. This training was reportedly against the guidance of other coaches and NCAA anti-hazing standards. Prosecutors allege that Dickey visibly struggled, and Kulbis failed to seek medical assistance until Dickey lost consciousness.
An autopsy revealed that Dickey’s death was due to exertional rhabdomyolysis, compounded by his sickle cell trait and body weight, which was triggered by the intense exercises. The National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research, as NPR reported, notes that since 2014, at least 10 college athletes have died from complications related to sickle cell trait.
Background and Legislative Context
Sunday’s office classified the workout as “a hazing incident.” The aggravated hazing charge is based on legislation passed after the 2017 hazing death of Penn State student Tim Piazza. “This law exists because it recognizes what hazing is: criminal conduct that…takes lives and leaves families and friends forever devastated,” Sunday added.
In the wake of CJ’s death, his family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Bucknell University and associated parties, claiming his death resulted from a freshman hazing ritual. The lawsuit was initially filed in the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia County and later refiled in federal court.
Efforts to reach Bucknell University and Mark Kulbis for comments did not yield immediate responses.
