A former strength and conditioning coach at Bucknell University is now facing criminal charges in connection with the death of a freshman football player who collapsed during a workout nearly a year ago.
Mark Kulbis was charged Monday in the death of Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr., a first-year athlete who had sickle-cell trait. Dickey collapsed during a training session in July 2024.
The case draws renewed attention to the risks faced by student athletes with sickle-cell trait during intense physical training, and raises questions about the responsibilities of coaching staff to monitor and protect players with known medical conditions.
