Former Bucknell University coach faces hazing charges
NEW YORK (CBS, KYMA) - A former Bucknell University coach is facing criminal charges, including aggravated hazing, linked to the death of a student-athlete.
Prosecutors allege the coach overworked the athlete, despite knowing he had a medical condition that put him at risk.
CBS News spoke with Calvin and Nicole Dickey after Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday charged former Bucknell strength coach Mark Kulbis with hazing their 18-year-old son, CJ.
Prosecutors say the coach knew the student-athlete had a Sickle Cell condition that can cause potentially fatal muscle breakdown during intense physical activity.
The NCAA requires all new athletes to be screened for "Sickle Cell trait." Its sports medicine handbook says exercising with the condition "is generally safe" when proper precautions are taken, like cooldown periods and a slower workout pace.
However, state prosecutors claim in July of 2024, "Kulbis subjected Dickey, and other players to 'extraneous calisthenic exercises,' including '100 up-downs.' and failed to call for help until Dickey, who had been 'visibly struggling,'" passed out.
He died in the hospital two days later.
"We thought, go to the hospital, they, you know, patch him up…and in a couple days, he'd be out, and we just, you know, keep moving on. Nope," Calvin said.
Kulbis left Bucknell roughly six months after dickey's death. The charges filed against the former coach Monday include felony aggravated hazing, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless endangerment.
"This is an opportunity for education and awareness. It's also an opportunity for programs to self-reflect. This is not the time for silence. I do not want to see another CJ," Nicole remarked.
The Dickey family has also filed a separate civil lawsuit against Bucknell last April.
In a statement, Kulbis' attorney said the coach was not responsible for Dickey's death, adding that the strength and conditioning program was "in accordance with" Kulbis' training, and "within applicable standards."
