Ex-Bucknell coach charged in freshman football player’s hazing death

Prosecutors in Pennsylvania charged former Bucknell strength and conditioning coach Mark Kulbis in the death of freshman football player Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr. Dickey, 18, of Florida, collapsed during freshman football practice at Bucknell’s Lewisburg campus.

On July 10, 2024, the first day of freshman football practice at Bucknell’s Lewisburg campus, Dickey was directed to do extensive calisthenics. The workout included 100 up-downs and several full-body plank drills, and Dickey’s sickle cell trait made the session especially dangerous. Prosecutors allege Kulbis subjected Dickey to the drills even after being made aware of the student’s medical condition and after receiving university training on sickle cell trait, state law and NCAA hazing standards.

Kulbis was charged with felony aggravated hazing and misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and hazing. He surrendered late Monday morning, was arraigned and had bail set at $10,000 unsecured. The Union County district attorney referred the case last year.

Bucknell cooperated with the attorney general’s investigation and declined further comment because the case is now active and related civil litigation is pending. Barbara Zemlock, Kulbis’s attorney, disputed the charges and maintained that he did not contribute to Dickey’s death. The conditioning program he implemented and the training he received were appropriate, and the defense intends to fight the case.

Dickey died on July 12, 2024, just two days after the practice session. His parents, Calvin Dickey Sr. and Nicole Dickey, filed a civil lawsuit against Bucknell in 2025, alleging the university knew their son had sickle cell trait before he arrived on campus and failed to protect him. The family’s lawsuit alleged Bucknell trainers and coaches were aware of the diagnosis before he enrolled, and that a trainer had spoken with his mother about it.

Kulbis left Bucknell in January 2025, about six months after the incident.