Bucknell ex-coach charged after football player’s death
FILE-A Bucknell University sign is displayed on the campus. (Photo by: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
An ex-strength and conditioning coach at Bucknell University was charged in the death of a football player who collapsed during training, The Associated Press reported, citing the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office.
Mark Kulbis has been charged with felony aggravated hazing and misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and hazing, according to the attorney general’s office. Bail was set at $10,000.
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Kulbis was the head football strength and conditioning coach for Bucknell University for about six years, The Associated Press reported, citing his LinkedIn profile. In January 2025, He left in January 2025, about six months after Dickey’s death.
What happened to the Bucknell football player?
Dig deeper:
In July 2024, Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr., who was recruited to play lineman positions at the school, was a freshman training at Bucknell University when Mark Kulbis instructed him and other football players to do 100 "up-downs" and full-body plank drills.
Dickey and some of his freshman teammates were told to do the "up-downs" on the first day of practice as punishment for not doing drills the correct way, The Associated Press reported, citing a lawsuit. The exercise is where an individual jumps to the ground face down and then comes back to a standing position repeatedly.
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The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office told the AP that Dickey had sickle-cell trait, a medical condition that can elevate the risk of severe injury or death after extreme exercise.
According to the AP, Dickey began struggling during the drills and passed out. Kulbis was the only coach in the training room, the office told the AP. Dickey was transported to an area hospital and died two days later.
In 2025, Dickey’s family filed a lawsuit against Bucknell University, along with Kulbis and other school officials, arguing that his death was "completely avoidable."
Bucknell University statement on Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr.
What they're saying:
Bucknell University said in a statement, obtained by The Associated Press, that it has cooperated with the attorney general’s office throughout the investigation.
"Because this is now an active criminal matter, and related civil litigation remains pending, the University will not comment on the allegations or legal proceedings."
The Source: Information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, which cites a lawsuit in this case, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, and a Bucknell University statement. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.