When ‘Toughness’ Turns Deadly: Coach’s Hazing Charges Put College Football Culture Under Scrutiny

Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr. arrived at Bucknell University ready to chase a football dream. The 18-year-old freshman lineman had hopes of building a future on and off the field. Instead, his first days as a college athlete ended in tragedy, and more than two years later, a former Bucknell coach is facing criminal charges tied to his death.

Mark Kulbis, an ex-strength and conditioning coach at Bucknell, has been charged with felony aggravated hazing along with misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and hazing in connection with Dickey’s July 2024 death, according to NBC News.

Prosecutors alleged Dickey collapsed during a football workout after being directed to complete intense drills, including 100 “up-downs” — or burpees– and full-body plank exercises. Authorities said Dickey had sickle-cell trait, a condition that can increase the risk of serious complications during extreme physical exertion, according to The William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Fund.

Dickey was taken to a hospital after he collapsed but died two days later. An autopsy found his death was linked to exertional rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition in which muscle tissue breaks down according to the Cleveland Clinic, along with his medical condition and the physical strain of the workout.

RELATED: The NIL Lie: Why Most Black College Athletes Aren’t Actually Getting Rich

“They are to be eased into their practice regimen,” Michael Caspino, the family’s attorney, told NBC. “Otherwise, they can get rhabdomyolysis.”

For the freshman’s family, the charges represent a painful step toward accountability for a son they describe as more than an athlete.

“This is a meaningful measure of criminal accountability,” the family said, according to BBC.

Dickey’s parents are demanding answers about what happened inside the training room that day and why safeguards designed to protect athletes were not enough to save their son. They previously filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Bucknell, alleging his death was preventable, according to NBC.

“If Defendants had followed well-established, well-known practices to protect athletes who have sickle cell trait, CJ would still be alive today,” the lawsuit said.

The case has renewed scrutiny over hazing culture in college athletics and the pressure placed on young athletes to prove themselves. What is often framed as “toughening up” players can cross into dangerous territory when coaches use excessive workouts or punishment drills, critics say.

Bucknell has said it is cooperating with authorities and has expressed condolences to Dickey’s family. According to NBC, Kulbis’ attorney has disputed the allegations, stating that the training program followed appropriate standards and denying that his client caused Dickey’s death.

Dickey’s family has since created the “In Calvin’s Honor” foundation to raise awareness about sickle-cell trait and support student-athletes. They hope his story will help prevent another family from experiencing the same loss.