Former Bucknell University strength and conditioning coach Mark Kulbis has been charged with felony aggravated hazing and involuntary manslaughter following the 2024 death of freshman football player Calvin “CJ” Dickey.
Dickey collapsed during his first workout with the team in July 2024 and died two days later. He was 18. His family told ESPN at the time that Kulbis put Dickey and the other players through “extensive calisthenics,” but that Dickey suffered from sickle cell-related rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo), a medical condition that can be prevented or reversed simply by stopping exercise.
Pennsylvania attorney general Dave Sunday said in a press release on Monday, July 6, that Kulbis knew of Dickey’s condition but still subjected him to the “hazing.”
Kulbis faces a charge of felony aggravated hazing and misdemeanor charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and hazing. He surrendered on Monday and bail was set at $10,000, according to court documents viewed by Us Weekly.
“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,” Sunday said. “The facts show this defendant received information about C.J.’s health condition, along with training about NCAA anti-hazing standards, and disregarded that information. This is an extraordinary tragedy, worsened by the fact that C.J.’s death was preventable.”
An investigation into Dickey’s death showed that Kulbis subjected him and other players to 100 “up-downs” and several full-body plank drills, both of which are “considered extraneous calisthenic exercises.”
“This was done in spite of training and direction from other coaches that such exercises were not appropriate or safe for use as part of training,” the release said.
Kulbis’ attorney, Barbara Zemlock, maintained her client’s innocence, saying she would “vigorously defend” him in a statement to ESPN.
“While the death of Calvin Dickey is tragic, Mark Kulbis did not contribute to it and is not responsible for it,” she said. “The strength and conditioning program that was implemented was appropriate and in accordance with the training that Mr. Kulbis received, and with applicable standards.”
The statement continued, “There are facts and other circumstances surrounding this matter that, once presented at the appropriate time, will demonstrate that Mr. Kulbis did not commit the crimes charged.”
Bucknell said in a separate statement to ESPN that it is cooperating with the Attorney General’s Office but would not comment further because it is “an active criminal matter.”
Dickey’s family sued Bucknell in 2025, accusing the school of negligence and wrongful death, saying the university knew about his condition but failed to protect him.
“The Dickey family is grateful that criminal charges have been filed in connection with CJ’s preventable death,” the family said in a statement to ESPN. “This is a meaningful measure of criminal accountability, as the civil case against Bucknell continues.”
