A Complete Guide to Hazing in Texas for Families in Texline: Understanding Your Rights and Finding Justice

For Families in Texline, When a Pledging Dream Becomes a Tragedy

Your student leaves Texline for college, full of promise and excitement about joining campus life. Then the calls home become strained. They sound exhausted, secretive, or anxious. Maybe they mention late-night “meetings,” mandatory “workouts,” or pressure to fit in with their new fraternity, sorority, or campus group. For families in Texline and across the Texas Panhandle, the fear that something has gone terribly wrong with your child’s college experience is a nightmare scenario. Hazing—the practice of forcing students through dangerous, degrading, or abusive rituals to join or maintain membership in campus organizations—remains a pervasive threat, even as universities promise reform.

Right now, in Texas, one case exemplifies the severe risks and the fight for accountability. In November 2025, our firm, Attorney911, filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered catastrophic injuries while pledging Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter. As detailed in reports from Click2Houston and ABC13, Bermudez endured a “pledge fanny pack” humiliation rule, forced overconsumption of food, extreme physical workouts, and being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” The result was rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring four days of hospitalization and ongoing medical care. The chapter was swiftly suspended and then shut down, but the physical and psychological harm to Bermudez remains.

This is not an isolated incident on a faraway campus. The same national fraternities and sororities with chapters in Houston, College Station, and Austin also have members from towns like Texline. The same dangerous traditions, the same institutional pressures, and the same attempts to cover up abuse happen everywhere Greek letters exist. If your child attends a Texas university—whether it’s West Texas A&M in nearby Canyon, Texas Tech in Lubbock, or a major hub like UT Austin or Texas A&M—they are potentially exposed to these risks.

This guide is written specifically for parents, students, and families in Texline and Dallam County. It provides a comprehensive, clear-eyed look at what hazing really is in 2025, how Texas law protects victims, what has happened at major Texas universities, and the legal pathways to justice and accountability. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge and to show how our firm, with deep Texas roots and a track record of taking on powerful institutions, can help if your family faces this crisis.

Immediate Help for a Hazing Emergency in Texline

If you are reading this because you suspect your child is in immediate danger, please act now.

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 are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.

In the first 48 hours, critical steps include:

1. Secure Medical Attention: Even if your student insists they are “fine,” seek a medical evaluation. Injuries like rhabdomyolysis or internal trauma may not be immediately apparent.
2. Preserve Evidence: This is the most important non-medical step you can take.
   • Screenshot everything: Group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), text messages, social media DMs, and emails. Capture full threads with timestamps and sender names visible.
   • Photograph injuries: Take clear photos from multiple angles. Take more photos over several days as bruises may develop.
   • Save physical items: Do not wash clothing that may have stains or residues. Save any objects used (like paddles) or receipts for forced purchases.
3. Document Everything: Write down a detailed account of what your child tells you—dates, times, locations, and names—while their memory is fresh.
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
   • Sign any documents from the university or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” their phone.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney immediately. Evidence disappears fast. Universities and organizations move quickly to control narratives. We can help you navigate this from the start. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

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

Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” It is a calculated abuse of power designed to create loyalty through fear, exhaustion, and humiliation. For families in Texline, understanding the modern forms of hazing is crucial, as the tactics have evolved to avoid detection while causing profound harm.

Texas law (Education Code Chapter 37) defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership in an organization. Crucially, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense. The law recognizes that true consent is impossible when there is a severe power imbalance, peer pressure, and fear of social exclusion.

Modern hazing typically falls into escalating categories:

Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadliest form. It includes forced “lineup” drinking games, chugging challenges, “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, and trivia games where wrong answers mandate drinking. The goal is often rapid, dangerous intoxication.

Physical Hazing: This goes beyond tough workouts. It includes paddling or beatings, being forced to perform hundreds of push-ups or squats until collapse (“smokings”), sleep deprivation for days, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements (like being left outside in cold weather in minimal clothing).

Psychological and Humiliating Hazing: This includes verbal abuse, threats, isolation from friends and family, forced nudity or wearing degrading costumes, simulated sexual acts, and public shaming rituals. It is designed to break down a person’s sense of self.

Digital Hazing: This is the 21st-century evolution. Pledges are subjected to 24/7 monitoring via group chats (GroupMe, Discord), required to share their live location, forced to post humiliating content on social media, and given tasks via text at all hours of the night. Digital evidence, however, also becomes a powerful tool for holding perpetrators accountable.

Hazing happens in many groups beyond social fraternities: sororities, athletic teams, marching bands, Corps of Cadets programs (like at Texas A&M), spirit organizations, and even academic clubs. The common thread is a dynamic where established members wield power over new members, cloaked in the language of “tradition,” “bonding,” and “earning your place.”

The Texas Legal Framework: Criminal Penalties and Civil Justice

Families in Texline have rights under both Texas state law and federal statutes. Understanding this dual framework is the first step toward accountability.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas has strong anti-hazing statutes that apply to any student at a Texas educational institution.

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for purposes of initiation or affiliation.
• 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.
• Organizational Liability: The organization itself (the fraternity chapter, sorority, team) can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorizes or knowingly permits hazing.
• Immunity for Reporting: Individuals who in good faith report hazing or seek medical assistance are immune from civil liability and disciplinary action under Texas law and most university policies. This is critical—it protects those who call for help.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: The law explicitly states that the victim’s consent to the activity is not a defense against hazing charges.

Civil Liability: The Path to Compensation and Accountability

A criminal case punishes the perpetrator. A civil lawsuit, which our firm handles, seeks compensation for the victim and holds all responsible parties accountable. These are separate paths that can be pursued simultaneously.

In a civil hazing case, we can seek damages from a wide universe of potentially liable parties:

1. The Individual Perpetrators: The students who planned, carried out, or facilitated the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: The fraternity or sorority chapter as an entity.
3. The National Organization: The fraternity or sorority’s national headquarters, which often has deep pockets, sets policies, and may have known about dangerous traditions.
4. The University: The school may be liable for negligent supervision if it knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing and failed to act. Public universities like Texas A&M or UT have certain immunity protections, but exceptions exist, especially for gross negligence.
5. Third Parties: This can include property owners of off-campus houses, alumni advisors, or security companies.

Damages we fight for in a civil case include:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and educational costs.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, psychological suffering (PTSD, anxiety, depression), humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the ultimate tragedy, families can seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound grief and loss of companionship.

The National Hazing Epidemic: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The heartbreaking cases that make national headlines are not anomalies; they are patterns. The same scripts—forced drinking games, brutal physical tests, and lethal delays in seeking help—play out on campuses across the country, including in Texas. These cases establish critical legal precedents about foreseeability and institutional liability.

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case led to sweeping reforms in Pennsylvania and demonstrated how fraternity culture and cover-ups can be deadly.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game. His death led Louisiana to pass the “Max Gruver Act,” strengthening felony hazing penalties.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. His family secured a $10 million settlement, with $7 million from the national fraternity. This case shows the substantial financial liability national organizations face.
• Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother” night. This case, involving the same national fraternity as the UH lawsuit, forced FSU to temporarily suspend all Greek life.

Why do these national cases matter to a family in Texline? They create a playbook of evidence. They show courts and juries that national fraternities have been on notice for years about the deadly risks of specific traditions. When a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter in Texas engages in forced drinking, the national organization cannot claim it was an unforeseeable “rogue” act—the Stone Foltz case proves they knew the danger. This “pattern and practice” evidence is powerful in building a civil case for negligence.

The Greek Ecosystem Surrounding Texline Families: A Data-Driven Look

When a student from Texline is hazed, they are not just hurt by a few individuals. They are hurt by a complex network of organizations with legal identities, insurance policies, and national affiliations. Our firm maintains the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, a proprietary database built from public records that allows us to map this network from day one. For families in the Panhandle region, this includes entities connected to nearby campuses like West Texas A&M University in Canyon and Texas Tech University in Lubbock.

Public Records: A Snapshot of Greek Organizations in the Amarillo Metro & Texas

The following are real entities recorded in IRS and state filings, illustrating the formal organizational structures behind Greek life. This is the kind of data we use to identify every potentially liable party in a case.

Panhandle & West Texas Region Examples:

• Frank Heflin Foundation, EIN 203507402, Canyon, TX 79015 (Phi Delta Theta alumni fund, IRS B83 filing)
• Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association, EIN 752290669, Amarillo, TX 79118 (Chapter housing corporation, IRS B83 filing)
• Phi Delta Theta Fraternity – Texas Theta Chapter, Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M chapter, Cause IQ Metro listing)
• Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter, Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M chapter, Cause IQ Metro listing)
• Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Zeta Zeta Chapter, Canyon, TX (Educators’ society, Cause IQ Metro listing)

Statewide Fraternity/Sorority Entities (Examples from our IRS B83 database):

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, EIN 746064445, Nederland, TX 77627 (Epsilon Kappa Chapter alumni)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 364091267, Waco, TX 76710
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., EIN 453325054, Mansfield, TX 76063
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc., EIN 475370943, Houston, TX 77204 (Theta Delta Chapter)

This data proves that fraternities and sororities are not just informal clubs. They are legal entities with Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), mailing addresses, and often, insurance policies. When we take a case, we don’t start from zero—we start with this mapped network of responsibility.

Where Texline Families Send Their Kids: Campus Hazing Realities

Students from Texline attend universities across Texas. It is vital to understand the specific landscapes, histories, and risks at these institutions.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX)

For many Texline families, West Texas A&M is a primary destination. Its Greek life and traditions carry inherent risks.

• Culture & Context: A regional university with active Greek life and strong athletic programs.
• Documented Issues: Hazing allegations have surfaced within both Greek organizations and athletic teams. The university maintains disciplinary policies, but off-campus hazing remains a challenge.
• For Texline Families: Incidents here may involve the Randall County courts and the Canyon Police Department. Evidence collection must begin immediately, as small-town dynamics can sometimes complicate reporting.

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)

As a major Texas university, Texas Tech has a large and vibrant Greek system with a history of hazing incidents.

• Culture & Context: A big-school Greek life culture with dozens of chapters.
• Documented Issues: Various fraternities have faced suspensions and lawsuits over the years for alcohol hazing, physical abuse, and humiliation rituals. The university publishes conduct outcomes, which can reveal patterns.
• For Texline Families: Lubbock is a common choice. Hazing incidents here can be complex, involving the Lubbock County legal system and potentially, the national headquarters of organizations based elsewhere.

The Major Statewide Hubs

Many Texline students also head to the state’s flagship universities. The patterns at these schools are well-documented.

University of Houston (UH): The ongoing Leonel Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case is the most serious current example. It alleges a system of degradation and violence that led to kidney failure. UH has suspended numerous chapters over the years for hazing violations. For families, this case proves that even in a large commuter school environment, severe, institutionalized hazing persists.

Texas A&M University: Hazing is not limited to Greek life here; the Corps of Cadets has faced serious allegations. In one lawsuit, a cadet alleged being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. The university’s “Aggie Honor Code” sometimes clashes with a culture of tradition that can enable abuse.

University of Texas at Austin: UT maintains one of the most transparent hazing violation logs in the state. Public records show repeated sanctions against fraternities like Pi Kappa Alpha for forced consumption of milk and extreme calisthenics, and against spirit groups for dangerous physical hazing. This public record becomes powerful evidence in a civil case.

Baylor University & Southern Methodist University (SMU): These private institutions have faced their own scandals. Baylor’s athletic programs have been under scrutiny, and SMU has suspended fraternities for paddling and alcohol hazing. Private university status affects the legal strategies involved.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Our Approach

If your family is facing this crisis, knowing how a case is built can provide clarity in a chaotic time. Our approach is methodical, aggressive, and informed by our unique experience.

Critical Evidence We Pursue

1. Digital Forensics: Deleted GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages, Instagram DMs, and text threads. We work with experts to recover what organizations try to erase. We have a video on using your phone to document evidence that outlines these first steps.
2. Internal Organization Records: Through legal discovery, we obtain the chapter’s “pledge education” manuals, meeting minutes, risk management reports, and communications with their national headquarters.
3. University Records: We subpoena the school’s prior disciplinary files on the same organization, Clery Act reports, and internal emails showing what administrators knew and when.
4. Medical & Psychological Records: These document the full extent of the harm—from ER reports showing alcohol toxicity or injury to therapist notes diagnosing PTSD.
5. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders are often crucial to painting the full picture.

Why Attorney911’s Specific Expertise Matters for Texline Families

We are not just personal injury lawyers. We are complex institutional litigators with skills directly transferable to hazing cases.

• Insurance Insider Knowledge (Mr. Lupe Peña): Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. He speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families. You can learn about his background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.
• Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants (Ralph Manginello): Ralph was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. Taking on a global corporation with limitless legal resources taught us how to investigate root-cause institutional failures and prevail. Facing a national fraternity or a major university system requires the same tenacity and strategic depth. Learn more about Ralph at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Capability: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal process that may run parallel to a civil case. We can effectively advise clients and navigate interactions with law enforcement.
• The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: As shown earlier, we begin with data. We know how to find the housing corporations, alumni associations, and national entities that share liability.

Practical Steps and Critical Guidance for Texline Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

• Signs Your Child May Be Hazed: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, sudden secrecy, personality changes (anxiety, withdrawal), grades dropping, constant stressful phone communication, and requests for money without clear reasons.
• How to Talk to Your Child: Be calm, non-judgmental, and supportive. Ask open-ended questions: “Are you safe?” “Is anything making you uncomfortable?” “Do you feel pressured to do things you don’t want to do?”
• If You Confirm Hazing: Prioritize health and safety first. Then, preserve all evidence. Contact an attorney before you formally report to the university. We can help you navigate that process to protect your child’s rights and maximize the integrity of the investigation.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition is worth your life, health, or dignity.
• You Can Leave: You have the legal right to quit any organization at any time. If you fear retaliation, document it and report it.
• Report Safely: You can report anonymously through university hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reporting.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots. Save everything. Tell a trusted person what is happening.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

We’ve seen families inadvertently damage their chances for justice. Watch our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case and avoid these errors:

1. Deleting Evidence: Never let your child “clean up” their phone.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers their defense lawyers and leads to evidence destruction.
3. Signing University Paperwork Unreviewed: Schools may offer quick “resolutions” that waive your right to sue.
4. Posting on Social Media: Anything you post can be used by the defense.
5. Waiting Too Long: Texas has a statute of limitations. Learn more in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

Why Attorney911 Is the Right Choice for Texline Families Facing Hazing

When your family is in crisis, you need advocates who are not intimidated by powerful opponents and who understand the full landscape of the fight. From our Houston office, we serve families across Texas, including those in Texline, Dallam County, and the entire Panhandle region.

We are currently leading the litigation in the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case, one of the most serious active hazing lawsuits in the country. We are not theorists; we are practitioners in the courtroom right now, fighting for a victim who suffered kidney failure from hazing. This case embodies our approach: relentless investigation, holding every entity accountable (from individual members to the national headquarters), and fighting for justice that can also drive systemic change.

Our fee structure is contingency-based, meaning we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. You can understand how this works in our video on how contingency fees work.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If you suspect your child has been hazed at any Texas university, the time to act is now. The window for preserving evidence is small, and the institutions involved will quickly mobilize to protect themselves.

We offer a free, completely confidential consultation to listen to your story, review any evidence you have, and explain your legal options clearly and honestly. There is no pressure and no obligation. We serve as co-counsel with local attorneys across the state and can help families anywhere in the U.S. navigate these complex cases.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD (Attorney911) Today:

• Call our Legal Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Lupe Peña (Se habla Español): lupe@atty911.com

You don’t have to face this alone. Let us use our experience, our data-driven strategy, and our commitment to justice to help your family find answers, accountability, and a path forward.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information is current as of late 2025/early 2026. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Website: https://attorney911.com