The Complete Guide to Hazing in Texas: A Resource for Rockport Families Seeking Justice and Accountability

If your child attends college anywhere in Texas—from the University of Houston to Texas A&M—and you’re worried about their safety within a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or athletic team, you are not alone. For parents in Rockport, the call can come at any hour: your student is in the hospital, or they’ve come home broken, physically and emotionally, by something that happened during “pledging” or “initiation.” The university’s response feels bureaucratic and cold, and the organization involved is closing ranks. You feel powerless against a system designed to protect its own reputation.

Right now, we are actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas, demonstrating the very real dangers Rockport families face. We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The allegations are severe: a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and extreme physical workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park that led to Bermudez developing life-threatening rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine was brown. He was hospitalized for four days. The chapter has been shut down, but the physical and psychological harm remains. This is not an isolated incident from years past; this is an active, high-stakes case happening now in our state.

This guide is for you—the parents and families in Rockport, Aransas County, and across the Coastal Bend region. Whether your child is at a local institution, has ventured to a major university hub, or is attending college elsewhere in Texas, the legal landscape, institutional tactics, and path to accountability are complex. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the Texas laws designed to protect your child, the national patterns that repeat on our campuses, and the practical steps you can take if the unthinkable happens. Our firm, The Manginello Law Firm (Attorney911), is based in Houston but serves families throughout Texas, including those right here in Rockport, with the specific expertise needed to take on powerful universities and national fraternal organizations.

Immediate Help for a Hazing Emergency

If you are reading this during a crisis, your immediate actions are critical.

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate help—that’s why we are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

In the First 48 Hours:

1. Get Medical Attention: Seek care immediately, even if your child insists they are “fine.” Tell medical staff the injuries are from suspected hazing so it is documented.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted:
   • Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), texts, and social media DMs.
   • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
   • Save any physical items (damaged clothing, paddles, “pledge” items).
3. Document Everything: Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, and specific acts—while memories are fresh.
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence disappears fast. Universities move quickly to control the narrative. We can help you navigate this from the start. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing is no longer just about “harmless pranks” or “bad apples.” It is a calculated pattern of coercion and abuse that has evolved with technology and become more secretive. For a Rockport parent, understanding this evolution is key to recognizing the signs.

Texas law (Education Code Chapter 37) defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any organization. Crucially, the victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

Modern hazing tactics fall into interconnected categories:

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the deadliest form. It includes forced consumption during “lineups,” “family tree” drinking games, or “Big/Little” reveals, like the events alleged in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case where pledges were forced to consume excessive amounts of milk and hot dogs. The national case of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University, who died after being forced to drink a bottle of whiskey, is a tragic testament to this pattern.

2. Physical and “Performance” Hazing: This includes extreme calisthenics (“smokings” or “workouts”) designed to cause exhaustion or injury, such as the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats alleged in the Bermudez case. It also encompasses paddling, beating, sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements.

3. Psychological and Humiliating Hazing: This involves verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members, forced nudity or degrading costumes, and sexualized simulations. The “pledge fanny pack” rule at UH, requiring carries of humiliating items, is a clear example meant to break down a student’s dignity.

4. Digital Hazing and Control: This is the new frontier. Pledges are subjected to 24/7 monitoring via group chats (GroupMe, Discord), required to share their live location, forced to post embarrassing content on social media, and harassed if they don’t respond instantly to messages at all hours. This creates a constant state of anxiety and control, even when the student is away from the group.

These acts don’t just happen in fraternity houses. They occur in sororities, Corps of Cadets programs (like at Texas A&M), athletic teams, spirit groups like the Texas Cowboys, marching bands, and other campus organizations. The common threads are an imbalance of power, a culture of secrecy, and the guise of “tradition” or “bonding.”

The Texas and Federal Legal Framework: Understanding Your Rights

When hazing occurs, multiple layers of law come into play. For a Rockport family, navigating this system begins with understanding the basic frameworks.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas has specific criminal statutes against hazing:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a State Jail Felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or other student organization itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Section 37.155 explicitly states that the victim’s consent to the activity is not a defense to prosecution. This legal principle is critical in overcoming the common defense that “your child wanted to be there.”
• Reporting Immunity: Individuals who in good faith report hazing are immune from civil or criminal liability for that report.

Civil Liability: The Path to Compensation and Accountability

A criminal case is brought by the state to punish wrongdoing. A civil lawsuit, which we handle, is brought by the victim and their family to recover damages and force institutional change. The two can proceed simultaneously.

In a civil hazing case, we build claims around concepts like:

• Negligence & Gross Negligence: The organization failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm.
• Negligent Supervision: The national fraternity or university failed to properly supervise the local chapter.
• Premises Liability: The property owner (often a fraternity housing corporation) failed to keep the premises safe.
• Wrongful Death: In the tragic event of a fatality.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress.

The Federal Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act

Federal laws also come into play:

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, or is based on gender, it triggers Title IX obligations for the university to respond promptly and equitably.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including aggravated assault and liquor/drug law violations, which often intersect with hazing incidents.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new law requires colleges receiving federal aid to publish more transparent hazing incident reports and strengthen prevention programs, with full implementation by 2026.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

A robust hazing lawsuit casts a wide net to ensure all responsible parties are accountable:

1. Individual Students who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as an entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters for failing to enforce its policies or for having prior knowledge of dangerous traditions.
4. The University for negligent supervision or deliberate indifference to a known pattern of misconduct.
5. Housing Corporations and Property Owners where the hazing occurred.
6. Third Parties like bars that unlawfully furnished alcohol.

A Texas Case in Focus: Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi – Why It Matters for Rockport

The ongoing lawsuit we are handling is not just a news story; it is a blueprint for how serious hazing cases are investigated and litigated in Texas today. For Rockport parents, it demonstrates the harsh reality that these incidents are not abstract—they are happening at universities where your children may be enrolled.

The Core Allegations: In Fall 2025, Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student, pledged the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH. The hazing allegedly included degrading rules like carrying a “pledge fanny pack” 24/7, forced chauffeuring, and extreme physical abuse at locations including the chapter house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park. On November 3, 2025, he was forced through over 100 push-ups and 500 squats. His health rapidly deteriorated, leading to brown urine, an inability to stand, and a four-day hospitalization where he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure.

The Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi nationals suspended the chapter on November 6, 2025. Members voted to surrender their charter on November 14, 2025, shutting down the chapter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary action. Our lawsuit names 17 defendants: UH, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi nationals, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

Why This Case is Instructive: It shows the specific, brutal tactics used today. It demonstrates how fast a medical emergency can develop from “workouts.” It highlights the web of entities (nationals, housing corps, university) that can share liability. And it proves that chapters with national affiliations can engage in severe abuse despite anti-hazing policies. You can read the detailed media coverage of this case in the Click2Houston report and ABC13 coverage.

The Texas University Landscape: Where Rockport Families Send Their Kids

Rockport students often attend universities across Texas. Understanding the specific Greek ecosystems and recent histories at these schools is crucial. Our firm maintains detailed intelligence on the organizational structures at each campus.

Public Records: The Greek Organizational Backbone in Texas

Beyond the social front, fraternities and sororities are often complex networks of legal entities. Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we track over 1,400 Greek-related organizations across the state. This includes IRS-recognized housing corporations, alumni chapters, and honor societies—the very entities that may hold insurance policies and legal liability.

For example, our data includes Texas-registered organizations like:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515) in Frisco, TX.
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (EIN 746064445) in Nederland, TX, linked to the Epsilon Kappa chapter at Lamar University.
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN 133048786) in College Station, TX.
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc (EIN 741380362) in Fort Worth, TX.
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi chapters with EINs registered to campuses from Texas A&M to UT Tyler.

This directory is part of our investigative advantage. When we take a case, we don’t start from zero; we already have a map of the organizational landscape.

University-Specific Environments

Texas A&M University (College Station): The Corps of Cadets adds a significant dimension to hazing risks here, with its own tradition-heavy culture. There have been serious allegations, including a 2023 lawsuit by a cadet alleging degrading hazing involving being bound in a “roasted pig” position. Greek life is also vast. Notably, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) chapter at Texas A&M was sued in 2021 after pledges allegedly suffered severe chemical burns from being doused with industrial-strength cleaner during hazing.

University of Texas at Austin: UT maintains one of the most transparent hazing violation logs in the state. Public records show repeated sanctions against chapters for alcohol hazing, forced calisthenics, and humiliation. For instance, the Pi Kappa Alpha chapter was placed on probation in 2023 for directing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous exercise. This public record becomes powerful evidence in civil litigation to show a pattern of known misconduct.

Southern Methodist University (SMU): As a private university with a prominent Greek system, SMU has faced its share of incidents. The Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended in 2017 following reports of paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.

Baylor University: Following prior institutional scandals, Baylor has emphasized reform. However, hazing persists, as seen in 2020 when 14 baseball players were suspended following a hazing investigation.

University of Houston: As detailed in the Bermudez case, UH is home to a large and active Greek community where severe incidents occur. UH policies prohibit hazing and provide reporting channels through the Dean of Students and UHPD.

For Rockport families, the takeaway is that no major Texas campus is immune. The specific organizational cultures and university responses may vary, but the underlying risks are present at each.

National Fraternity and Sorority Histories: The Pattern of Foreseeable Harm

When a chapter at a Texas school hazes, it is rarely inventing new tactics. They are often repeating scripts that have caused injury and death nationwide. This “pattern evidence” is legally critical because it establishes that the national organization and the university knew or should have known these activities were dangerous and likely occurring.

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): The national organization has faced multiple high-profile tragedies, including the death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University in 2021 (resulting in a $10M settlement) and the death of David Bogenberger at Northern Illinois University in 2012 ($14M settlement). Their “Big/Little” drinking tradition is a known, deadly pattern.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Often called the “deadliest fraternity” in America by media, SAE has been linked to numerous hazing deaths. This includes the chemical burn case at Texas A&M and a recent traumatic brain injury lawsuit at the University of Alabama.

Phi Delta Theta: The death of Max Gruver at LSU in 2017 from a “Bible study” drinking game led to Louisiana’s felony hazing “Max Gruver Act” and a $6.1 million verdict against the fraternity.

Pi Kappa Phi: The death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University in 2017 during a “Big Brother” event is part of this national organization’s history, making the severe allegations at UH part of a painful, repeating pattern.

In a court of law, we use this national history to defeat the defense that an incident was “unforeseeable” or the work of “rogue individuals.” It shows a systemic failure by nationals to curb known, dangerous traditions.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Winning a hazing case requires converting outrage into a compelling, evidence-driven legal strategy. This is where our experience as complex litigation attorneys, including our work on the BP Texas City explosion litigation, becomes irreplaceable.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

1. Digital Communications: Deleted GroupMe chats, WhatsApp messages, Instagram DMs, and Snapchats are recoverable through digital forensics. These messages often contain planning, bragging, threats, and cover-up attempts.
2. Photos & Videos: Media captured on phones during events is devastating evidence. We also seek security footage from houses and nearby businesses.
3. Internal Organizational Documents: Through discovery, we subpoena chapter “pledge books,” national risk management manuals, email correspondence between actives and nationals, and prior disciplinary records.
4. University Records: We use public records requests and litigation discovery to obtain prior incident reports involving the same group, showing the university’s prior knowledge.
5. Medical & Psychological Records: These documents the tangible harm: ER reports, diagnoses like rhabdomyolysis or PTSD, and long-term treatment plans.

The Damages We Fight to Recover

The law allows victims of hazing to seek compensation for:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost educational opportunities (tuition, scholarships), and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious conduct, courts may award damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Overcoming Institutional Defenses

We are prepared for the standard defenses:

• “They Consented”: We cite Texas law where consent is no defense and argue coercion inherent in the power dynamic.
• “Rogue Individuals”: We use pattern evidence from the national organization’s history to show foreseeable, systemic issues.
• “It Was Off-Campus”: Liability is not determined by zip code. Universities and nationals maintain control and responsibility for recognized student organizations.
• “We Have a Policy”: We demonstrate the gap between paper policies and enforcement, showing negligent supervision.

Practical Guides for Rockport Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight changes.
• Secretive behavior about organizational activities; sudden isolation from old friends.
• Anxiety, depression, or personality shifts.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Financial requests for unexplained “fines” or “dues.”

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “Are you being asked to do anything that makes you uncomfortable?” “Is your sleep or schoolwork being affected?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Gently guide your child to screenshot messages and photograph injuries.
4. Seek Medical Care: A medical exam creates a crucial record.
5. Consult an Attorney Before Reporting: We can help you navigate reporting to the university or police in a way that protects your child’s rights and case. Contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

For Students: Is This Hazing? How to Get Out Safely.

If you feel pressured, endangered, or humiliated to belong, it is likely hazing. Remember:

• You Have the Right to Leave. Send a clear text or email: “I resign my membership/pledgeship effective immediately.” You do not owe them an in-person meeting.
• Your Safety Comes First. In a medical emergency, call 911. Texas law and most university policies offer “good faith” protections for those who call for help.
• Preserve Evidence. Take screenshots of everything—chats, social media posts, photos—before you quit.
• Report It. You can report anonymously through campus hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). For legal action and true accountability, contacting a lawyer is a critical step.

Critical Mistakes That Can Undermine a Case

We have a video dedicated to client mistakes that can hurt a case. Key errors include:

• Deleting Digital Evidence: This looks like a cover-up and destroys your strongest proof.
• Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers their legal defense and evidence destruction.
• Signing University Settlement Offers Prematurely: These often require waiving your right to sue for far less than the case is worth.
• Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys scour social media for inconsistencies.
• Waiting Too Long: Evidence vanishes, witnesses become uncooperative, and the statute of limitations runs. Texas generally has a two-year statute for personal injury, but the clock starts ticking immediately. Watch our video on statutes of limitation for more information.

Why Attorney911 is the Right Firm for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family is facing a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand the unique ecosystems of universities and national fraternal organizations, and who have the track record and resources to face them. From our Houston office, we serve families across Texas, including those in Rockport and the Coastal Bend.

Our Proven Advantages in Hazing Litigation:

1. Insider Insurance Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense lawyer for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. We know their playbook because we used to run it. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

2. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on billion-dollar defendants. We are not intimidated by deep-pocketed national fraternities or university legal teams. We have federal court experience and a 25-year record of handling high-stakes cases. Learn more about Ralph’s career at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.

3. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal side of hazing allegations. This is invaluable for advising witnesses or when cases involve parallel criminal investigations.

4. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: We don’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary database of over 1,400 Greek organizations in Texas, including their corporate structures (EINs, addresses, housing corps). This allows us to immediately identify all potentially liable entities.

5. A Full-Service Investigative Approach: We have a network of experts—digital forensics specialists to recover deleted messages, medical experts to explain lifelong injuries, economists to calculate loss, and psychologists to document trauma. We investigate to win.

6. Contingency Fee Basis: We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis—you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. This allows families to pursue justice without upfront financial burden. See our video explaining how contingency fees work.

A Call to Action for Rockport Families

If hazing has impacted your child at any Texas campus, you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved will have teams of lawyers. You deserve advocates who are equally prepared and solely dedicated to your family.

We invite you to contact The Manginello Law Firm (Attorney911) for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options in clear terms, and help you decide the best path forward for your family. There is no pressure, and everything you tell us is protected.

Call us today at 1-888 -ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). You can also reach us directly at (713) 528-9070 or via email at ralph@atty911.com.

For Spanish-speaking families, hablamos Español. Contact Mr. Lupe Peña directly at lupe@atty911.com.

Your child’s safety and your family’s right to accountability matter. Let us help you fight for both.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and law. We encourage you to seek legal counsel for advice on your particular situation. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911. Principal office in Houston, TX.