Parents of Football Player Who Died After Alleged 'Punishment' Exercises Sues Bucknell University: ‘100% Preventable’

• The family of 18-year-old Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr. is suing Bucknell University for negligence and wrongful death
• The family claims in the lawsuit that the university knew about their son's sickle-cell trait diagnosis, which makes him more susceptible to getting a rare muscle condition, but he was still made to do "punishment" exercises during football practice
• Bucknell University said it extends its "heartfelt sympathies" to CJ’s family the school would "continue to focus" on the "health and safety of all Bucknell students"

The family of a Bucknell University student is suing the Pennsylvania school after their son's death at the age of 18.

In documents filed in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court on Wednesday, April 2, Calvin Dickey Sr. and Nicole Dickey claimed that the university knew about their son Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr.’s sickle-cell trait diagnosis — which makes him more susceptible to getting a rare muscle condition — and could have prevented his death, which occurred following his first football practice, according to ESPN, NPR and NBC Philadelphia. 

Bucknell University is accused of negligence and wrongful death, alongside other claims, the outlets reported.

“He died a horrible, painful death that was 100% preventable,” the family’s attorney, Mike Caspino, said of CJ in a press conference that was shared by Ceisler Media.

Caspino did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday, April 5.

Bucknell University told PEOPLE in a statement that "the death of a student is always a tragic loss.” 

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“Bucknell University is aware of the lawsuit filed by the parents of CJ Dickey,” the university continued. “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."

Caspino said in the April 2 press conference that CJ died of “rhabdomyolysis,” which is a condition in which “your muscles are so overworked that they start to secrete toxins that kill off your organs.”

He further explained that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) began mandating in 2010 that athletes begin ...