Parents of Bucknell University football player who died during ‘punishment’ exercise during practice are suing the school

The mother and father of a Bucknell College soccer participant are suing the varsity after their son died throughout a apply in July 2024.

In July 2024, 18-year-old Flordia native Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr. collapsed in the course of the crew’s first soccer apply, affected by a sickle cell-related complication, NBC Philadelphia reported.  He was instantly hospitalized on the time however died two days later.

Now, in line with paperwork filed in Philadelphia Frequent Pleas Court docket on Wednesday, April 2, the boy’s mother and father, Calvin Dickey Sr., and Nicole Dickey, declare that the college knew about their son’s sickle-cell trait prognosis — which may make him more likely to expertise the complication he did — and will have prevented his loss of life, per NPR and ESPN.

Bucknell College is accused of negligence and wrongful loss of life, alongside different claims akin to hazing, the retailers reported. The courtroom paperwork allege that Dickey was being put by way of a sure “ceremony of passage” strenuous exercise for freshmen gamers regardless of the varsity realizing about his situation, which made him susceptible to experiencing a complication referred to as rhabdomyolysis. The uncommon complication may cause the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue to the purpose the place the muscular tissues start to launch toxins hazardous to the inner organs and is commonly triggered by strenuous bodily exertion.

Dickey collapsed as he was made to do an train throughout apply as “punishment” together with different gamers for an infraction. In response to scholar and employees witnesses, Dickey turned visibly in misery and had hassle sustaining his tempo earlier than he collapsed. 

“He died a horrible, painful loss of life that was 100% preventable,” the household’s legal professional, Mike Caspino, stated of CJ in a press convention that Ceisler Media shared on YouTube.

He defined that since 2010, the Nationwide Collegiate Athletic Affiliation (NCAA) has required student-athletes to get examined for the sickle-cell trait, as they have been extra inclined to the intense situation. Caspino additionally famous that CJ examined optimistic for the sickle-cell trait forward of becoming a member of the college’s soccer crew, which made him “200 occasions extra seemingly” to get rhabdomyolysis.

“If an athlete has sickle cell trait, they aren’t to be labored out on their first day of apply; they aren’t to do sprints, they aren’t to do up-downs, they’re to be eased into their apply regime. In any other case, they will get rhabdomyolysis,” the lawyer stated.

Talking to Individuals journal, the college stated it was conscious of the lawsuit and couldn’t touch upon pending litigation. “We once more lengthen heartfelt sympathies to CJ’s household, and we’ll proceed to deal with our most necessary precedence—the well being and security of all Bucknell college students.”

Conscious of the troublesome path forward with the lawsuit, Dickey’s mom stated her son was “price it” whereas talking to ESPN.

“We do that for CJ, for each younger man on that crew, and anybody who comes after him, and anybody at any college,” she stated. “This can be a longer, more durable path, and I’m prepared for it.”