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Former Bucknell Coach Charged in Hazing Death of Football Recruit

Former Bucknell Coach Charged in Hazing Death of Football Recruit
Carlos Queiroz, former Ghana head coach, at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
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The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General filed criminal charges on Monday against former Bucknell University strength and conditioning coach Mark Kulbis for the 2024 hazing death of freshman football recruit Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr.

Kulbis surrendered Monday morning and was arraigned on five charges, including a felony count of aggravated hazing and misdemeanor complaints of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, hazing with brutality, and hazing with a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury.

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His bail was set at $10,000 unsecured, and his next court hearing is scheduled for July 28.

Details of the Incident

Dickey, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound lineman from Florida, collapsed on July 10, 2024, during his first day of freshman practice after Kulbis forced him and other players to perform 100 "up-downs" and multiple full-body plank drills.

Authorities said Kulbis remained the only coach in the training area and failed to seek medical help until Dickey passed out, despite noticing the recruit struggling and knowing Dickey had sickle cell trait.

Dickey died two days later at a nearby hospital.

An autopsy concluded the cause of death was extreme calisthenics combined with sickle cell trait, body weight, and exertional rhabdomyolysis.

The case was referred to the state level last year by the Union County District Attorney.

Investigations showed Kulbis had previously received anti-hazing and sickle cell training from the university.

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Editors Team
Author: Monica Sabila
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