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Coach Charged with Hazing, Manslaughter After Player’s Death

7/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Mark Kulbis was charged on July 8, 2024 with felony aggravated hazing and a misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter after Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr. died.
Attorney General Dave Sunday said Kulbis forced Dickey, who had sickle cell trait, to do 100 “up-downs” on July 10, 2024.
An autopsy linked Dickey’s death to the workout, his sickle cell trait and exertional rhabdomyolysis.
Kulbis surrendered, released on $10,000 bail and awaits July 28, 2026 hearing.

History

Historical Context

The 2007 death of Penn State freshman Tim Piazza sparked one of the nation’s largest hazing prosecutions, with 18 Beta Theta Pi members charged in May 2017 and more than 850 criminal counts filed, prompting Pennsylvania’s “Tim’s Law” and stricter state anti-hazing statutes. The July 2024 felony charge against Mark Kulbis for Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr.’s death reflects the ongoing push for tighter safeguards.

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Story summary

Mark Kulbis was charged on July 8, 2024 with felony aggravated hazing and a misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter after Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr. died.
Attorney General Dave Sunday said Kulbis forced Dickey, who had sickle cell trait, to do 100 “up-downs” on July 10, 2024.
An autopsy linked Dickey’s death to the workout, his sickle cell trait and exertional rhabdomyolysis.
Kulbis surrendered, released on $10,000 bail and awaits July 28, 2026 hearing.

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