Hazing at Texas Universities: A Complete Guide for Families in the Town of Kurten and Across Brazos County

If Your Child Was Hazed at Texas A&M, UH, UT, or Any Texas Campus—We Are Here to Help

We understand the fear and confusion that grips a family in the Town of Kurten when they get that late-night call or notice their child returning from college changed, injured, or deeply withdrawn. The close-knit community of Kurten, nestled in the heart of Brazos County, sends its sons and daughters to universities across Texas, with many choosing the world-class institutions right in our backyard, like Texas A&M University. The pride we feel in our children’s achievements can turn to devastation when the pursuit of belonging turns into a nightmare of coercion, abuse, and injury.

Right now, in Houston, we are actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in the country, which serves as a stark warning to every Texas family. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, and 13 individual members of its Beta Nu chapter. The complaint alleges months of systematic abuse that left our client with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—a life-threatening condition that required four days of hospitalization and could lead to permanent organ damage.

The hazing detailed in the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case and ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit included forced carrying of a humiliating “pledge fanny pack,” sleep deprivation, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and extreme physical workouts that pushed students to the brink. This is not an isolated incident; it is a pattern that repeats across the state, including at the universities where Kurten families entrust their children’s safety.

This guide is for you—the parents, grandparents, and families in Kurten, Bryan, College Station, and across the Brazos Valley. We will explain what modern hazing really looks like, break down Texas hazing law, connect national patterns to our local campuses, and outline the legal pathways to accountability and recovery. If you are in the midst of this crisis, call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911. We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, and we provide immediate, aggressive, and professional help.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies.
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).

In the first 48 hours:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” seek a professional evaluation. Injuries like rhabdomyolysis or internal trauma may not be immediately apparent.
2. Preserve Digital Evidence: Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), text messages, and social media posts related to the incident BEFORE they are deleted. Learn best practices in our video, Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?
3. Document Physically: Photograph any injuries from multiple angles. Save any physical items involved (clothing, paddles, receipts).
4. Write Everything Down: While memories are fresh, write a detailed account of what happened, including dates, times, locations, and the names of everyone involved.
5. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
   • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” their story.
   • Post details on public social media.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears with alarming speed. We can help you secure it and protect your child’s rights. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing is not a relic of the past or mere “horseplay.” It is a calculated pattern of abuse designed to assert power and control. For families in Kurten, it’s critical to recognize that hazing extends far beyond stereotypical fraternity parties. It occurs in sororities, athletic teams, Corps of Cadets programs, spirit organizations, marching bands, and other campus groups.

A Modern Definition of Coercion and Harm

Under Texas law, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintenance of membership in any organization. The key element is the power imbalance and the coercive environment. The phrase “but they agreed to it” is legally meaningless in this context.

The Three Tiers of Hazing: From Subtle to Violent

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – Often dismissed as “tradition,” this establishes power dynamics.

• Mandatory servitude (cleaning, errands, chauffeuring at all hours).
• “Pledge fanny packs” with humiliating contents.
• Social isolation from non-members.
• Enforced dress codes and silent periods.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – Causes emotional or physical discomfort.

• Sleep deprivation for “midnight study sessions” or early-morning workouts.
• Verbal abuse and degradation sessions (“grilling”).
• Forced consumption of unpalatable food (milk, hot dogs, raw eggs).
• Strenuous, punitive calisthenics (“smokings”).

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – High potential for severe injury or death.

• Forced Alcohol Consumption: “Big/Little” nights, lineup drinking games, coerced chugging.
• Physical Assault: Paddling, beatings, “glass ceiling” tackling rituals.
• Sexualized Abuse: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts.
• Environmental Dangers: Exposure to extreme cold, locked in confined spaces, chemical exposure (like the industrial cleaner used in a Texas A&M SAE case).

The case we are handling at UH involved all three tiers, culminating in a medical catastrophe. This is the reality facing Texas students.

Texas Hazing Law & Legal Liability: A Framework for Kurten Families

The legal landscape for hazing is complex, involving state criminal statutes, civil liability, and federal regulations. Understanding this framework is the first step toward accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute

Texas law is clear and powerful. Key provisions that protect students from Kurten and all over Texas include:

• Broad Definition: Hazing includes any reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, on or off campus.
• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals who fail to report hazing can also be charged.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (Sec. 37.155): This is critical. It doesn’t matter if your child “went along with it.” The law recognizes the coercive pressure of the situation.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and lose its university recognition.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Students who call for help in an emergency are protected from liability.

Civil Lawsuits: The Path to Compensation and Accountability

A criminal case, handled by the state, seeks punishment. A civil lawsuit, which we file on behalf of victims and families, seeks to make them whole and force institutional change. The two can proceed simultaneously.

In a civil hazing case, we can pursue damages from a wide range of responsible parties:

1. Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. Chapter Officers & Leaders: The president, pledgemaster, risk manager who allowed or encouraged the behavior.
3. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be held liable for creating a dangerous environment.
4. The National Organization: Headquarters that collect dues, set policies, and often have deep knowledge of prior incidents at other chapters. Our litigation against Pi Kappa Phi national highlights this strategy.
5. The University: Schools like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have a legal duty to protect students. They can be liable for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference, or Title IX violations if they knew of risks and failed to act.
6. Third Parties: Property owners, housing corporations, and alcohol providers.

Federal Overlays: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Hazing Act

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, universities have a mandatory duty to investigate and address it.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults that occur during hazing.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Will require increased transparency in hazing reporting by 2026, giving families more data on dangerous organizations.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not anomalies; they are blueprints. The same patterns of forced drinking, physical abuse, and institutional failure have occurred repeatedly. We use these precedents to show courts and insurance companies that the harm was foreseeable and preventable.

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A bid-acceptance night of forced drinking led to fatal falls. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. This case resulted in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and demonstrated the lethal consequences of delay.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking. Max died of alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495%). This led to Louisiana’s felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.”
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A pledge was forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. He died days later. The family secured a $10 million settlement, with the national fraternity paying $7 million.
• Danny Santulli (University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): A “pledge dad reveal” night of forced drinking left the 18-year-old with catastrophic, permanent brain damage. His family settled with 22 defendants.

These cases prove that national fraternities are aware of the deadly risks embedded in their pledge traditions. When a chapter at UH or Texas A&M engages in the same conduct, we argue the national organization had ample notice and a duty to prevent it.

Texas University Focus: Where Kurten Families Send Their Kids

Texas A&M University: The Heart of the Brazos Valley

For families in Kurten, Texas A&M is not just a university; it’s a central part of our community. The Aggie spirit is powerful, but within some organizations, tradition has crossed the line into abuse.

Campus Culture & High-Risk Groups: Beyond a robust Greek system, Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets represents a unique, tradition-heavy environment with its own documented hazing risks.

Documented Incidents & Institutional Response:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged they were subjected to strenuous activity and had substances, including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and a lawsuit was filed.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A former cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, highlighting abuse within the military-style system.

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Proceeds: Jurisdiction typically involves the Brazos County courts. Investigations may involve Texas A&M University Police, the Bryan Police Department, and the Dean of Students’ office. Given the university’s status as a state institution, sovereign immunity arguments may arise, but they can be overcome with evidence of gross negligence.

What Kurten Parents of A&M Students Should Do:

• Report immediately to the Texas A&M Office of Student Conduct and the Corps of Cadets leadership (if applicable).
• Understand that internal university discipline is separate from civil legal action.
• Consult with a law firm experienced in navigating the complex intersection of university, Corps, and Greek life accountability in College Station.

University of Houston: A Flagship Case in Our Backyard

The ongoing litigation we lead against UH and Pi Kappa Phi provides a current, Texas-specific example of how these cases unfold.

The Leonel Bermudez Case in Detail:
Our client, a transfer student, endured a fall 2025 pledge period marked by humiliation and violence. Hazing occurred at the Pi Kappa Phi chapter house, a residence on Culmore Drive, and during late-night workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park. Specific acts included:

• Carrying a “pledge fanny pack” 24/7 containing condoms, a sex toy, and nicotine devices.
• Being sprayed in the face with a garden hose “similar to waterboarding.”
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints.
• A “Nov 3 workout” of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

The physical toll was catastrophic: rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, signaled by brown urine. He was hospitalized for four days. The chapter was suspended and voted to surrender its charter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” This case, covered by Hoodline, is a live demonstration of our firm’s approach to hazing litigation.

University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin maintains a public hazing violations log, offering a window into ongoing issues.

Documented Violations:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, resulting in chapter probation.
• Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon: Faced a 2024 lawsuit from an Australian exchange student alleging a brutal assault at a party, resulting in a broken nose, dislocated leg, and fractured tibia.

Transparency & Pattern Evidence: UT’s public log is a valuable tool for establishing that an organization had prior notice of problems, which strengthens a civil case.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

• SMU: As a private university, disciplinary actions are less public. A 2017 Kappa Alpha Order incident involved paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation, leading to a multi-year suspension.
• Baylor: Facing a 2020 baseball team hazing scandal that led to 14 player suspensions, Baylor operates within a context of previous institutional failure regarding student safety.

The Greek Ecosystem in Texas: A Data-Driven Look

We don’t just litigate hazing cases; we investigate the entire ecosystem behind the organizations. Our firm maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records, to map the network of liability. For Kurten families, this means we can immediately identify every entity that may share responsibility.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses

The following are real entities recorded in IRS and state filings. This directory illustrates the complex web of organizations operating in Texas, many of which have chapters at the universities Kurten students attend.

Greek Organizations with Texas IRS Filings (Sample):

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc | EIN: 133048786 | College Station, TX 77845
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc | EIN: 462267515 | Frisco, TX 75035
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc | EIN: 475381060 | San Marcos, TX 78666
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc | EIN: 741380362 | Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity | EIN: 746064445 | Nederland, TX 77627
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi | EIN: 900293166 | College Station, TX 77843 (Texas A&M Chapter)

Major Texas Universities & Their Greek Communities (from Texas Universities Table):

• Texas A&M University | College Station, Brazos County
• University of Houston | Houston, Harris County
• The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, Travis County
• Southern Methodist University | Dallas, Dallas County
• Baylor University | Waco, McLennan County
• Texas State University | San Marcos, Hays County
• Texas Tech University | Lubbock, Lubbock County

Brazos County & Regional Campus Connections:

• Blinn College | Bryan, Brazos County
• Prairie View A&M University | Prairie View, Waller County (within commuting distance)

Our investigative advantage means we start with this data, tracking down housing corporations, alumni associations, and national headquarters to ensure no responsible party is overlooked.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

When you choose our firm, you are choosing a team with a proven, multi-front strategy honed in complex litigation against billion-dollar corporations.

1. Evidence Preservation & Investigation

We act swiftly to secure evidence before it disappears:

• Digital Forensics: Recovering deleted group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), social media posts, and location data.
• Internal Document Discovery: Subpoenaing national fraternity risk management files, prior incident reports, and chapter communications.
• University Records: Obtaining prior disciplinary records for the involved organization through public records requests and litigation discovery.
• Witness Interviews: Securing testimony from other pledges, former members, and bystanders.

2. Overcoming Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and dismantle the standard defenses:

• “The Pledge Consented”: We cite Texas law where consent is irrelevant and demonstrate the coercive environment.
• “Rogue Individuals, Not the National Org”: We use pattern evidence from other chapters to prove the national knew or should have known.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: We argue the university and national still had a duty based on sponsorship and foreseeability.
• Insurance Coverage Fights: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, uses his prior experience as an insurance defense lawyer to navigate coverage exclusions and bad-faith tactics.

3. Calculating Comprehensive Damages

We fight for full compensation, which can include:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, future care), lost wages, and diminished future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (in fatalities): Funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering for the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious conduct, we seek damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Practical Guide for Kurten Parents & Students

For Parents: Recognizing the Signs

• Physical: Unexplained injuries, bruises, burns, extreme fatigue, sudden weight change.
• Behavioral: Increased secrecy, withdrawal from family and old friends, anxiety or depression, defensiveness about the organization.
• Digital: Constant, anxious monitoring of group chats; being called/texted at all hours.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You CAN leave. You have the legal right to quit any organization at any time.
• Calling 911 is protected. Texas law and most university policies offer amnesty for those seeking help in an emergency.
• Document everything. Screenshot, photograph, and write down details.
• Report: Use campus channels (Dean of Students, campus police) and consider the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

We detail these in our video, Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case. They include:

1. Deleting digital evidence.
2. Confronting the organization before speaking with a lawyer.
3. Signing university “resolution” agreements without legal review.
4. Posting about the incident on social media.
5. Talking to insurance adjusters without an attorney present.

Why Choose The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911?

Our firm brings a unique combination of insider knowledge, fearless litigation experience, and deep Texas roots to every hazing case.

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense lawyer for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers try to deny, delay, and minimize claims. This insider perspective is invaluable.
• Proven Institutional Litigator: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, facing down billion-dollar defendants. We are not intimidated by national fraternities or large universities.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of a hazing case, which is crucial when criminal charges are also pending.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring we can serve all families in our community.
• Contingency Fee Basis: We only get paid if we recover money for you. Learn more in our video, How Do Contingency Fees Work?
• Urgent Response: We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We provide immediate help because we know evidence and memories fade fast.

Call to Action for Kurten and Brazos County Families

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends Texas A&M, UH, UT, or any other campus—you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved will have teams of lawyers. You deserve advocates who are just as dedicated and far more experienced in this specific fight.

We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options in plain English, and help you decide on the best path forward for your family. There is no pressure, only information and support.

Time is of the essence. Texas generally has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, but evidence disappears much faster. Protect your child’s rights and future today.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Se Habla Español: Contact Mr. Lupe Peña directly.

Let us help you turn this crisis into accountability and prevent it from happening to another family in Kurten or anywhere else.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. The outcome of any legal matter depends on the specific facts and circumstances. We encourage you to seek counsel from a qualified attorney for advice on your specific situation.