Pennsylvania authorities have filed criminal charges against a former Bucknell University strength coach in connection with the 2024 death of freshman football player Calvin "C.J." Dickey Jr.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Monday that Mark Kulbis faces felony aggravated hazing charges along with misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and hazing.
Prosecutors allege Kulbis required Dickey to perform extreme workouts, including 100 up-downs, despite knowing the player carried the sickle-cell trait. Dickey passed out during the session and died in a hospital two days later.
The player's parents, Nicole Dickey and Calvin Dickey Sr., expressed appreciation for the charges after months of waiting. They have launched the C.J. Dickey Foundation to promote sickle-cell trait awareness and filed a separate civil lawsuit against Bucknell last April.
Kulbis' attorney maintains the coach bears no responsibility for the death. Kulbis left the university about six months after the incident.
