Image @ BBC
A former strength and conditioning coach at Bucknell University has been criminally charged over the death of an 18-year-old football player who collapsed during a pre-season training session in Pennsylvania two years ago.
Mark Kulbis is facing a felony count of aggravated hazing as well as several misdemeanour offences, including involuntary manslaughter, following an investigation into the death of freshman athlete Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr.
According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, investigators allege Kulbis ignored medical information indicating that Dickey carried the sickle cell trait before directing him through an exceptionally demanding conditioning session on the opening day of football activities in July 2024.
Authorities claim the workout included about 100 repetitive “up-down” drills alongside prolonged plank exercises, despite signs that the teenager was in physical distress.
Dickey reportedly lost consciousness during the session and died in hospital two days later.
A post-mortem examination determined that the combination of intense physical exertion, exertional rhabdomyolysis and the athlete’s sickle cell trait led to his death.
Prosecutors contend the fatal incident resulted from intentional hazing practices and argue that Kulbis had previously received information about Dickey’s medical condition, as well as training on NCAA anti-hazing policies, but failed to act accordingly.
”The evidence indicates this tragedy could have been prevented,” the Attorney General’s Office said, adding that established safety measures for athletes with sickle cell trait were not followed.
Kulbis has denied any wrongdoing through his lawyer, Barbara Zemlock, who described the athlete’s death as heartbreaking but maintained that her client was neither responsible for nor contributed to the incident.
She said the conditioning programme reflected recognised coaching practices and complied with the professional guidance Kulbis had received.
Sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait can increase the risk of severe medical complications during strenuous physical activity, making proper monitoring and modified training essential for affected athletes.
The case comes years after Pennsylvania strengthened its anti-hazing legislation following the 2017 death of college student Tim Piazza during a fraternity initiation at Penn State University.
Dickey’s relatives have also filed a civil lawsuit against Bucknell University and several members of its football staff, alleging that first-year players were subjected to a dangerous initiation exercise.
The family argues that adherence to widely accepted medical and athletic safety protocols would have prevented the teenager’s death.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong