Parents of Bucknell student who died after football practice speak out after criminal charges filed against ex-coach
CBS News • • sports
Key Points:
- Mark Kulbis, former Bucknell strength and conditioning coach, faces felony and misdemeanor charges including aggravated hazing and involuntary manslaughter in the death of freshman football player Calvin "C.J." Dickey Jr. following a strenuous 2024 practice.
- Prosecutors allege Kulbis ignored knowledge of Dickey Jr.'s sickle-cell trait, which increases risk during intense exercise, and subjected him to extreme workouts without proper precautions, violating NCAA anti-hazing standards.
- Dickey Jr. collapsed during a workout involving 100 "up-downs" and died two days later, with Kulbis reportedly delaying calling for help despite visible distress.
- The Dickey family has established the C.J. Dickey Foundation to promote sickle-cell trait awareness and has filed a civil lawsuit against Bucknell University.
- Nicole Dickey emphasized the importance of education, awareness, and preventing similar tragedies, urging programs to reflect and avoid silence on such issues.
