Former Coach Charged After Student Death

A2

Former Coach Charged After Student Death

學生死亡後前教練被起訴


Introduction

Mark Kulbis was a coach at Bucknell University. Now, the police charged him because a football player, Calvin Dickey Jr., died in 2024.

Mark Kulbis 曾是 Bucknell 大學的教練。現在警方起訴了他,因為一名美式足球員 Calvin Dickey Jr. 於 2024 年死亡。

Main Body

In July 2024, Calvin Dickey Jr. fell during a workout. The coach told him to do many hard exercises. The coach did this because he was angry with the student.

2024年7月,Calvin Dickey Jr. 在訓練期間昏倒。教練要求他進行許多高強度的運動。教練這樣做是因為他對該學生感到憤怒。

Calvin had a blood problem called sickle-cell trait. This makes hard exercise dangerous. The coach knew about this problem, but he still made the student work too hard.

Calvin 有一種稱為鐮刀型細胞特質的血液問題。這使得高強度運動變得危險。教練知道這個問題,但仍強迫該學生過度訓練。

The family of Calvin is now suing the university. They say the school did not protect the student. The university says it is helping the police.

Calvin 的家人目前正起訴該大學。他們表示學校沒有保護好該學生。大學則聲稱正在協助警方。

Conclusion

Mr. Kulbis has many charges. He will go to court on July 28.

Kulbis 先生面臨多項指控。他將於 7 月 28 日出庭。

Vocabulary Learning

🕒 The 'Past' Story

When we tell a story about things that already happened, we change the action words. Look at how these words move from Now \rightarrow Then:

  • Is \rightarrow Was (Example: "Mark Kulbis was a coach")
  • Tell \rightarrow Told (Example: "The coach told him")
  • Do \rightarrow Did (Example: "The coach did this")
  • Fall \rightarrow Fell (Example: "Calvin fell during a workout")
  • Know \rightarrow Knew (Example: "The coach knew about this")

💡 Simple Rule: If the date is in the past (like July 2024), you cannot use "is" or "do." You must use the "Then" version of the word to be correct in English.

Vocabulary Learning

charged (v.)
To officially accuse someone of a crime.
Example:The police charged the man for stealing a car.
workout (n.)
A period of physical exercise to get fit.
Example:I go to the gym for a one-hour workout every morning.
dangerous (adj.)
Something that can cause harm or death.
Example:It is dangerous to walk on the ice.
suing (v.)
Taking a person or company to court to get money for a problem.
Example:The customer is suing the company because the product was broken.
protect (v.)
To keep someone or something safe from harm.
Example:A helmet helps protect your head when you ride a bike.
court (n.)
The place where a judge and jury decide legal problems.
Example:The lawyer went to court to speak for his client.
B2

Former Bucknell University Coach Charged After Student-Athlete's Death

巴克內爾大學前教練在學生運動員死亡後被起訴


Introduction

Mark Kulbis, a former strength and conditioning coach at Bucknell University, has been charged with several crimes following the 2024 death of freshman football player Calvin Dickey Jr.

巴克內爾大學前力量與體能教練 Mark Kulbis 在 2024 年一年級美式足球員 Calvin Dickey Jr. 死亡後,被指控多項罪名。

Main Body

The legal case began after Mr. Dickey collapsed during a training session in July 2024. According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, Mr. Kulbis forced the athlete to perform 100 'up-downs' and full-body plank drills. Prosecutors emphasize that these exercises were used as a punishment because the drills were not performed correctly. Furthermore, evidence shows that Mr. Dickey had the sickle-cell trait, a medical condition that makes a person more likely to suffer from a dangerous breakdown of muscle tissue. The Attorney General's office asserts that Mr. Kulbis knew about this condition and had been trained on NCAA safety rules, yet he still continued with the intense workout.

這起法律案件始於 2024 年 7 月 Mr. Dickey 在訓練期間昏迷。根據賓夕法尼亞州總檢察長辦公室,Mr. Kulbis 強迫該運動員進行 100 次「上下跳」和全身平板支撐訓練。檢察官強調,由於訓練動作不正確,這些練習被用作懲罰。此外,證據顯示 Mr. Dickey 具有鐮狀細胞特質,這是一種會使人更容易遭受危險肌肉組織分解的醫療狀況。

These charges are based on specific sports and legal regulations. The NCAA requires sickle-cell trait testing for all athletes and states that training should be based on science, emphasizing that coaches must act immediately if an athlete shows signs of distress. The Attorney General described the incident as deliberate hazing. On the other hand, Mr. Kulbis's lawyers argue that the training program was appropriate and followed standard practices, claiming that the coach did not cause the death.

這些指控是基於特定的體育與法律規定。NCAA 要求所有運動員進行鐮狀細胞特質檢測,並規定訓練應基於科學,強調若運動員表現出不適跡象,教練必須立即採取行動。總檢察長將此事件描述為蓄意欺凌。另一方面,Mr. Kulbis 的律師則主張訓練計畫是適當且符合標準做法的,聲稱教練並未導致死亡。

At the same time as the criminal case, the Dickey family has started a civil lawsuit against Bucknell University and its officials. The family alleges that the death could have been avoided if the university had followed the correct procedures for protecting athletes with the sickle-cell trait. Bucknell University has confirmed that it is cooperating with the investigation, but it has refused to give more details because the legal cases are still active. Mr. Kulbis left the university in January 2025 and has been released on $10,000 bail.

在刑事案件同步進行的同時,Dickey 家人已對巴克內爾大學及其官員提起民事訴訟。家屬指稱,如果大學遵循保護具有鐮狀細胞特質運動員的正確程序,此次死亡本可避免。巴克內爾大學已確認正配合調查,但由於法律案件仍在進行中,拒絕提供更多詳情。Mr. Kulbis 於 2025 年 1 月離開該大學,並以 1 萬美元保釋金獲釋。

Conclusion

Mr. Kulbis faces charges of felony aggravated hazing, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless endangerment. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 28.

Mr. Kulbis 面臨重罪加劇欺凌、非自願殺人以及魯莽危害他人的指控。其初步聆訊定於 7 月 28 日舉行。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The Power of "Reporting Verbs"

At the A2 level, you probably use 'say' and 'tell' for everything. To reach B2, you need to describe how someone is speaking, especially in formal or legal contexts.

Look at how this article moves beyond simple talking:

  • "Prosecutors emphasize..." \rightarrow They aren't just saying it; they are highlighting a specific, important point.
  • "The Attorney General asserts..." \rightarrow This is a strong, confident statement of fact.
  • "Lawyers argue..." \rightarrow They are presenting a reason to persuade others (often the opposite of the other side).
  • "The family alleges..." \rightarrow They are claiming something is true, but it hasn't been proven in court yet.

🛠️ B2 Upgrade Map

A2 Version (Basic)B2 Version (Precise)The "Vibe"
He says it is true.He asserts it is true.Strong & Certain
They say it happened.They allege it happened.Unproven / Accusatory
She says this is key.She emphasizes this.Focus & Importance
They say the coach is right.They argue the coach is right.Debate & Persuasion

💡 Pro-Tip for Fluency

When you read news articles, stop looking for the meaning of the story for a moment and look for the verb before the word "that".

Example: "Bucknell University confirmed that..."

If you replace confirmed, alleged, asserted, and argued with said, the text becomes boring and loses its legal precision. Start using these "reporting verbs" in your writing to sound more professional and academic.

Vocabulary Learning

emphasize (v.)
To give special importance or attention to something in speaking or writing.
Example:The teacher emphasized the importance of arriving on time for the exam.
assert (v.)
To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.
Example:The lawyer continued to assert that his client was innocent of all charges.
deliberate (adj.)
Done consciously and intentionally; planned.
Example:The police believe the fire was a deliberate act of arson.
allege (v.)
To claim that someone has done something wrong or that something is true, typically without providing proof.
Example:The report alleges that the company ignored safety warnings for years.
cooperate (v.)
To work together with others or follow requests to achieve a common goal.
Example:The witness agreed to cooperate with the police during the investigation.
reckless (adj.)
Doing something dangerous without worrying about the possible negative results.
Example:His reckless driving nearly caused a serious accident on the highway.
preliminary (adj.)
Happening before a more important event or action; preparatory.
Example:The researchers published their preliminary findings before completing the full study.
C2

Criminal Charges Filed Against Former Bucknell University Coach Following Student-Athlete Fatality

前 Bucknell 大學教練因學生運動員死亡而被起訴


Introduction

Mark Kulbis, a former strength and conditioning coach at Bucknell University, has been charged with multiple offenses related to the 2024 death of freshman football player Calvin Dickey Jr.

Bucknell 大學前力量與體能教練 Mark Kulbis,因 2024 年大一足球員 Calvin Dickey Jr. 死亡事件,被指控多項罪名。

Main Body

The legal proceedings originate from an incident in July 2024, during which Mr. Dickey collapsed during a training session. According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, Mr. Kulbis mandated the performance of 100 'up-downs' and full-body plank drills. The prosecution asserts that these exercises were administered as a punitive measure for improper drill execution. Evidence indicates that Mr. Dickey possessed the sickle-cell trait, a condition that increases susceptibility to exertional rhabdomyolysis—a critical breakdown of muscle tissue. The Attorney General's office maintains that Mr. Kulbis was cognizant of this medical condition and had received institutional training regarding both the trait and NCAA anti-hazing protocols, yet proceeded with the regimen.

法律程序源於 2024 年 7 月的一起事件,當時 Dickey 先生在訓練期間昏迷。根據賓夕法尼亞州總檢察長辦公室的說法,Kulbis 先生要求執行 100 次「俯卧撑跳」和全身平板撐訓練。檢方主張,這些練習是針對動作執行不正確而採取的懲罰措施。證據顯示 Dickey 先生具有鐮刀型細胞特質,這種情況會增加對運動性橫紋肌溶解症(一種嚴重的肌肉組織分解)的敏感性。總檢察長辦公室堅持認為 Kulbis 先生已知曉此醫療狀況,且已接受過關於該特質及 NCAA 反欺凌協定的機構培訓,但仍繼續執行該訓練方案。

Institutional and regulatory frameworks provide the context for these charges. The NCAA mandates sickle-cell trait testing for all athletes and advises that conditioning be based on scientific principles, emphasizing the necessity of immediate intervention upon signs of distress. The Pennsylvania Attorney General characterized the incident as deliberate hazing, noting that the felony aggravated hazing charge was established following the 2017 death of a Penn State student. Conversely, legal representation for Mr. Kulbis contends that the training program was appropriate and consistent with established standards, asserting that the defendant did not contribute to the fatality.

體育機構與監管框架為這些指控提供了背景。NCAA 要求所有運動員必須進行鐮刀型細胞特質測試,並建議體能訓練應基於科學原理,強調在出現不適跡象時必須立即干預。賓夕法尼亞州總檢察長將此事件定性為蓄意欺凌,並指出重罪加重欺凌罪是在 2017 年一名賓州大學學生死亡後確立的。相反,Kulbis 先生的法律代表主張訓練計劃是適當且符合既定標準的,並聲稱被告未對死亡事件造成影響。

Concurrent with the criminal proceedings, the Dickey family has initiated civil litigation against Bucknell University and associated officials. The plaintiffs allege that the fatality was avoidable had the university adhered to established practices for protecting athletes with the sickle-cell trait. Bucknell University has confirmed its cooperation with the state investigation but has declined further comment, citing the active nature of the criminal and civil matters. Mr. Kulbis, who departed the university in January 2025, has been arraigned with bail set at $10,000.

與刑事程序同時進行的,是 Dickey 家族對 Bucknell 大學及相關官員發起的民事訴訟。原告指控,若大學遵守保護具有鐮刀型細胞特質運動員的既定做法,此次死亡本可避免。Bucknell 大學已確認配合州政府調查,但以刑事與民事案件仍在審理中為由,拒絕進一步評論。Kulbis 先生於 2025 年 1 月離開該大學,目前已被傳喚,保釋金定為 1 萬美元。

Conclusion

Mr. Kulbis faces charges of felony aggravated hazing, involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and hazing, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 28.

Kulbis 先生面臨重罪加重欺凌、非自願殺人、魯莽危害他人以及欺凌等指控,初步聆訊將於 7 月 28 日舉行。

Vocabulary Learning

The Anatomy of Legalistic Precision: Nominalization and Agentless Causality

To transition from B2 (competent) to C2 (mastery), a student must move beyond describing actions and begin constructing states. This text is a goldmine for studying Nominalization—the process of turning verbs into nouns to create an objective, detached, and authoritative tone typical of high-level jurisprudence and academic reporting.

⚡ The Linguistic Shift

Look at how the text avoids simple subject-verb-object patterns. Instead of saying "The university did not protect the athlete," it uses:

*"...had the university adhered to established practices for protecting athletes..."

By focusing on the adherence to practices (the noun phrase) rather than the act of protecting (the verb), the writer shifts the focus from human error to systemic failure. This is the hallmark of C2 'Formal Register'.

🔍 Precision Through 'Latent Agency'

C2 mastery requires the ability to handle complex causality. Notice the use of Passive-Aggressive Precision:

  • "The prosecution asserts that these exercises were administered..."
    • Analysis: Using "administered" instead of "given" elevates the register. By stating the exercises "were administered," the focus remains on the action (the punitive measure) rather than the person performing it, creating a clinical distance.
  • "...a condition that increases susceptibility to..."
    • Analysis: Rather than saying "it makes them more likely to get," the text employs "increases susceptibility." This is a precise, scientific collocation. To achieve C2, you must replace vague verbs (get, make, do) with specific, high-utility nouns (susceptibility, execution, intervention).

🛠️ The 'C2 Toolkit' Extract

To emulate this style, integrate these semantic clusters into your writing:

B2 PhrasingC2 Legal/Academic EquivalentLinguistic Function
Started because ofOriginate from an incidentFormalizing Causality
Knew aboutWas cognizant ofElevating Cognitive State
Happened at the same timeConcurrent withTemporal Sophistication
Not responsible forDid not contribute to the fatalityNegating Liability

Mastery Note: The B2 student tells a story; the C2 student describes a framework of events. Stop focusing on who did what and start focusing on which mechanism produced which result.

Vocabulary Learning

cognizant (adj.)
Having knowledge or being aware of something.
Example:The manager was cognizant of the potential risks involved in the new investment strategy.
punitive (adj.)
Intended as a punishment.
Example:The court imposed punitive damages to discourage the company from repeating its negligent behavior.
susceptibility (n.)
The state of being likely to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.
Example:A lack of sleep can increase a person's susceptibility to common colds.
regimen (n.)
A prescribed course of medical treatment, way of life, or diet for the promotion of health.
Example:The athlete followed a strict training regimen to prepare for the Olympic trials.
arraigned (v.)
Called before a court to answer a criminal charge.
Example:The suspect was arraigned on charges of fraud and pleaded not guilty.
litigation (n.)
The process of taking legal action through the court system.
Example:The company decided to settle the dispute out of court to avoid lengthy and expensive litigation.
Practice All words in a crossword