A former strength and conditioning coach at Bucknell University has been charged with felony aggravated hazing in connection with the July death of freshman football player Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr. Mark Kulbis surrendered to authorities on Monday and was arraigned on charges including involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment.
Dickey, 18, died on July 12, 2024, two days after he collapsed during a team workout. According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, Kulbis made Dickey and other players perform 100 up-downs and body plank drills, disregarding directives from other coaches that such exercises were unsafe. Dickey had a sickle cell trait and was struggling with the drills.
The attorney general's office stated that Kulbis, the only coach present in the training room, did not call for help until Dickey lost consciousness. An autopsy revealed that Dickey's death was caused by the strenuous exercises combined with his sickle cell trait, body weight, and exertional rhabdomyolysis.
Kulbis' bail was set at $10,000, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 28. Attorney General Dave Sunday described Dickey's death as "preventable" and characterized the coach's actions as an "intentional, deliberate hazing."
Dickey's family had previously filed a lawsuit against Bucknell University, alleging negligence and wrongful death.
Barbara Zemlock, Kulbis' attorney, stated that while Dickey's death was tragic, her client was not responsible. Zemlock asserted that the strength and conditioning program was appropriate and aligned with Kulbis' training and applicable standards, adding that further facts will demonstrate her client's innocence at trial.