All charges against former Bucknell University strength and conditioning coach Mark Kulbis have been held for county court following a preliminary hearing, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
Kulbis is charged with felony aggravated hazing and misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and hazing in connection with the 2024 death of freshman football recruit Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr.
Prosecutors allege Dickey, who was from Florida, was directed to perform extensive calisthenics on July 10, 2024, the first day of freshman football practice. The attorney general’s office says Kulbis knew Dickey had sickle cell trait and had received university training concerning the condition, hazing law and NCAA standards.
The state alleges Kulbis directed Dickey and other players to complete 100 up-downs and several full-body plank drills despite guidance from other coaches that the exercises were not appropriate or safe for training.
Dickey was treated at an area hospital and died July 12, 2024. The attorney general’s office says an autopsy attributed the death to the exercises in combination with Dickey’s sickle cell trait, body weight and exertional rhabdomyolysis.
After Friday’s hearing, a magisterial district judge ordered the charges bound over for county court. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Jaime Keating.
The charges are allegations. Kulbis is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
