Story perspectives

Bucknell Coach Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter After Hazing Death

7/9/2026

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Summary

Kulbis Charged

Mark Kulbis was charged on July 6, 2026 with hazing and involuntary manslaughter for Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr.’s death.
Dickey, 18, collapsed July 10, 2024 and died July 12, 2024 from rhabdomyolysis and sickle cell trait.
Kulbis forced 100 burpees and plank drills despite warnings they were unsafe for a sickle-cell athlete.
Kulbis surrendered, posted $10,000 bail and faces a July 28, 2026 hearing while Bucknell University cooperates with Pennsylvania Attorney General.

Summary

Dickey Family Lawsuit

The Dickey family created the CJ Dickey Foundation to educate athletes about sickle-cell trait and promote safer training.
Nicole Dickey said the foundation aims to protect the next generation and share what they learned.
Their lawsuit claims an assistant coach assured the family the condition would be considered during workouts.
Prosecutors said criminal charges against coaches in athlete deaths are rare, citing heat-related cases in Georgia and Kentucky.

History

Historical Context

Timothy Piazza’s 2017 death at Penn State’s Beta Theta Pi house sparked the state’s largest hazing indictment, with over 850 criminal charges filed against 18 brothers. Attorney General Josh Shapiro secured convictions in 2018, prompting Pennsylvania’s anti-hazing law and inspiring similar statutes such as New Jersey’s 2021 Timothy J. Piazza Law nationwide policy reforms.

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Kulbis Charged

Mark Kulbis was charged on July 6, 2026 with hazing and involuntary manslaughter for Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr.’s death.
Dickey, 18, collapsed July 10, 2024 and died July 12, 2024 from rhabdomyolysis and sickle cell trait.
Kulbis forced 100 burpees and plank drills despite warnings they were unsafe for a sickle-cell athlete.
Kulbis surrendered, posted $10,000 bail and faces a July 28, 2026 hearing while Bucknell University cooperates with Pennsylvania Attorney General.

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