(WHTM)– The parents of the Bucknell University freshman football player who passed away during a workout in July 2024 are filing a civil suit against the university.

Attorneys Michael Caspino and Stuart Price today announced the filing of the suit on behalf of Nicole and Calvin Dickey Sr. against Bucknell University concerning the wrongful death of Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr.

CJ collapsed from sickle cell-related rhabdomyolysis during the team’s first workout of the season last July, according to a press release from Price Caspino. CJ was hospitalized and passed away two days later.

According to MedlinePlus, rhabdomyolysis is when muscle tissue breaks down and dies. The muscles can release toxins, which can cause organ damage or death.

The civil suit claims CJ’s death was preventable as the NCAA makes recommendations to protect student-athletes with sickle cell-related rhabdomyolysis. Price Caspino says that Bucknell failed to follow the NCAA’s basic recommendations, resulting in CJ’s death.

“CJ brightened every room he entered, and he put a smile on the face of each person he
met,” said Nicole Dickey. “Now, because of Bucknell’s reckless disregard for our son’s
health, the world is forever robbed of CJ’s light. While nothing that Bucknell can do will
bring our son back, we deserve answers.”

According to Price Caspino, CJ tested positive for sickle cell trait before joining the football team, and the university was notified.

CJ’s parents claim that the University hasn’t answered any of their questions and has yet to take responsibility for the death of their son.

The lawsuit, which was filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, aims to get Bucknell University to disclose the details of the events leading up to CJ’s death, publically take responsibility for his death, compensate the Dickey family, and sponsor initiatives to ensure future college athletes don’t suffer the same fate.

“The NCAA has detailed guidelines to ensure the safety of sickle-positive athletes,” said
attorney Stuart Price. “The protocols are well known and, except for Bucknell, universally
followed. The NCAA requires coaches training sickle-positive athletes to allow them to set
their own pace in early practices, to avoid “mat drills” like up-downs, and to have an athletic
trainer present for every workout. Bucknell followed none of those guidelines. The coach
running the workout made CJ do the same brutal workout to which the entire team was
subjected, pushed him to do more than 100 up-downs, and had no athletic trainer present.
Bucknell literally worked CJ to death.”

Bucknell University responded to the lawsuit, saying, “The death of a student is always a tragic loss. Bucknell University is aware of the lawsuit filed by the parents of CJ Dickey. While the University will not comment on pending litigation, we again extend heartfelt sympathies to CJ’s family, and we will continue to focus on our most important priority — the health and safety of all Bucknell students.”