Freshman had sickle-cell trait, prosecutors say
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office announced the charges Monday, alleging that Kulbis directed the drills during a 2024 training session. According to prosecutors, Kulbis told Dickey and other players to complete “up-downs” — a conditioning exercise that involves dropping to the ground and springing back up — along with plank holds.
Dickey, who had been recruited to play lineman positions at the university in Pennsylvania, began struggling during the exercises and lost consciousness, the attorney general’s office said. Kulbis was the only coach present in the training room at the time, according to investigators.
The freshman was taken to a hospital, where he died two days later.
Prosecutors said Dickey had sickle-cell trait, a medical condition that can increase the risk of serious injury or death following extreme exertion.