A Family Guide to Hazing at Texas Universities: What Every Parent in Seven Pines Needs to Know

When your child leaves for college—whether it’s the short drive to Longview, a few hours to College Station, or across the state to Austin—you trust they’re entering a world of opportunity, not danger. Yet every year, families in quiet communities like ours in Seven Pines and across East Texas have their trust shattered by a phone call no parent ever wants to receive.

It’s “bid night” at a fraternity house. Your child, eager to belong, is handed a bottle and told to finish it. On a Corps of Cadets field exercise, they’re forced through punishing, non-stop drills in the sweltering heat. In a sorority house basement, pledges are screamed at, deprived of sleep, and humiliated for entertainment. Then someone gets hurt—badly. Someone collapses. And in the fear of “getting the chapter in trouble,” the call for help is delayed. This isn’t a dramatic movie plot. It is the reality of modern hazing happening right now on Texas campuses, and it can impact any family in Seven Pines.

Right now, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly lost his life after brutal hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The details are horrific: forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” made to consume milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7. He developed rhabdomyolysis—severe muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days and faces the risk of permanent kidney damage. The chapter is now shut down, and we have filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the fraternity, its national headquarters, and the University of Houston itself.

If this can happen at a major state university, it can happen anywhere. This guide exists for you—the parents, grandparents, and families of Seven Pines and all of Gregg County. We will explain what hazing truly looks like in 2025, the Texas laws designed to protect your child, the sobering national and local patterns of abuse, and, most importantly, the practical steps you can take if your worst fears become reality. You are not powerless.

Immediate Help for a Hazing Emergency

If you are reading this because you suspect your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

1. Call 911 for any medical emergency.
2. Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911. We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.
3. In the First 48 Hours:
   • Get Medical Attention: Go to the ER or urgent care immediately.
   • Preserve Evidence: Take photos of all injuries. Screenshot every relevant group chat, text, and social media post BEFORE they are deleted. Do not let your child “clean up” their phone.
   • Document: Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, and what happened.
   • Do NOT: Confront the fraternity/sorority, sign anything from the university, or post details on social media.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025 (It’s Not Just “Pranks”)

Hazing is not about harmless tradition or “boys will be boys.” Legally, in Texas, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in a group. The key for Seven Pines families to understand is that your child’s “consent” is not a defense. The law recognizes the immense power imbalance and coercion in these situations.

Today’s hazing has evolved. While dangerous physical abuse and forced drinking remain tragically common, the methods have become more insidious and digitally enabled.

• The Alcohol Poisoning Script: This is the most common and deadliest pattern. It often follows a “Big/Little” night, bid acceptance party, or “family tree” drinking game. Pledges are coerced into consuming lethal amounts of alcohol, often from a handle of liquor. The stories of Stone Foltz (Bowling Green), Max Gruver (LSU), and Andrew Coffey (Florida State) all follow this script.
• Digital Hazing & 24/7 Control: Pledges are required to be on-call via GroupMe or WhatsApp, responding instantly at all hours. They may be forced to share their live location, post humiliating content on TikTok or Instagram, or have their social media policed by members. Evidence lives in these digital threads, but they can be deleted in an instant.
• Disguised as “Wellness” or “Training”: Extreme, punitive workouts are framed as “conditioning.” Sleep deprivation is part of “team building.” This is a deliberate tactic to create legal cover.
• Off-Campus & “Unofficial” Hazing: To avoid university cameras and oversight, the most severe abuse often happens at remote Airbnbs, hunting lodges, or private homes owned by alumni. Organizations claim it’s “off-campus, not our responsibility,” but the law sees through this.
• Violent Physical Rituals: From the “glass ceiling” blindfolded tackling that killed Michael Deng at a Pi Delta Psi retreat to the brutal paddling still reported in some NPHC organizations, physical violence persists.
• Sexualized Degradation: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walks”), and sexually humiliating tasks remain a dark undercurrent, particularly in all-male organizations.

For a student from a close-knit community like Seven Pines, the pressure to conform and the fear of being ostracized can feel overwhelming. They may rationalize the abuse as a price for friendship and belonging. Our job as parents and advocates is to recognize the signs early and understand that what they are enduring is not a rite of passage—it is a crime.

Texas Hazing Law: Your Family’s Legal Shield

Texas has some of the nation’s clearest anti-hazing statutes, found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Understanding this framework is crucial for Seven Pines families seeking accountability.

The Core Law (Tex. Educ. Code § 37.151): Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintaining membership in any organization.

Key Provisions for Parents:

• Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. If it causes injury requiring medical treatment, it becomes a Class A misdemeanor. If it causes serious bodily injury or death, it is a State Jail Felony. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing.
• Organizations Can Be Prosecuted (§ 37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or team itself can be fined up to $10,000 and lose its university recognition.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.155): This is the most important line for families to know. It doesn’t matter if your child “went along with it.” The law protects them from their own coerced consent.
• Immunity for Good Faith Reporters (§ 37.154): Students who call for help in an emergency are generally protected from university discipline for related policy violations (like underage drinking). This is meant to remove the barrier to calling 911.

Civil Liability: The Path to Accountability and Recovery
A criminal case is brought by the state to punish. A civil lawsuit, which our firm specializes in, is brought by the victim and family to recover damages and force institutional change. In a civil hazing case, we can pursue multiple liable parties:

1. The Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, carried out, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As an entity, if it is incorporated.
3. The National Headquarters: This is often where the deepest pockets and greatest accountability lie. We use national hazing histories to prove they knew the risks and failed to supervise.
4. The University: Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have some sovereign immunity, but they can be sued for gross negligence, Title IX violations (if sexual harassment is involved), or negligent supervision. Private schools like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity barriers.
5. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords, or alcohol providers.

Federal Laws That Apply:

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs.
• Title IX: If the hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, this federal law imposes strict duties on schools to respond.
• The Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes, including aggravated assault, which hazing often involves.

Where Seven Pines Students Go to School: A Campus-by-Campus Reality Check

Families in Seven Pines and across Gregg County send their children to a diverse mix of Texas institutions. You might have a student at the local LeTourneau University in Longview, a son in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, a daughter at UT Austin, or a child at the University of Houston. Hazing does not discriminate by school size or prestige.

The University of Houston & The Case That Changed Everything

For Houston-area families and students across Texas, the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit is a watershed moment. As reported in detailed investigations by Click2Houston and ABC13, the hazing included:

• The “pledge fanny pack” with condoms and sex toys.
• Being hog-tied face-down on a table.
• Forced consumption leading to vomiting, followed by immediate sprints.
• The November 3rd “workout” of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats that caused the life-threatening rhabdomyolysis.

This case proves that even at a major commuter school, systemic, violent hazing can fester. UH has taken action by cooperating with the chapter closure, but the lawsuit alleges the university should have known and intervened sooner. For any family with a student at UH, this case underscores the critical need for vigilance.

Texas A&M University: Tradition, Corps, and Recurring Scandals

The Aggie culture is deep-rooted in tradition, but some of those traditions have crossed the line into abuse. The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets has faced repeated hazing allegations, including a 2023 lawsuit where a cadet alleged being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. Furthermore, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) chapter at A&M was sued after pledges suffered severe chemical burns from having industrial cleaner poured on them, requiring skin grafts.

For parents in Seven Pines with children drawn to A&M’s powerful community, it’s vital to have open conversations about the difference between challenging tradition and illegal abuse. The university’s response to these incidents sets a precedent for how seriously they take student safety.

The University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Persistent Problems

UT Austin operates one of the most transparent hazing violation logs in the country. A quick review shows a pattern:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members forced to drink milk and perform excessive calisthenics. Sanction: Probation.
• Texas Wranglers (2022): Spirit organization sanctioned for forced physical activity and verbal abuse.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon: Faced allegations at UT as part of its national pattern.

This public log is a powerful tool. It shows that hazing is ongoing and that even probation doesn’t always stop it. For a Seven Pines student heading to UT, understanding that these organizations have official histories of misconduct is key.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University: Private School Pressures

At private, affluent campuses like SMU and Baylor, the social pressure to join Greek life can be intense. SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended for paddling and forced drinking. Baylor has faced hazing scandals within its baseball team, resulting in multiple player suspensions.

The insular nature of these communities can make reporting feel even more daunting. These schools often handle matters “internally,” but families have the right to pursue external legal action to ensure true accountability.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Patterns Hit Home

The fraternity that hazes at UT Austin is part of the same national organization that hazes at Ohio State or the University of Florida. This national pattern is the cornerstone of holding headquarters accountable. When we take on a case, we don’t just look at the local chapter; we investigate decades of the national organization’s history.

A Sample of National Histories Relevant to Texas Campuses:

This data matters in court. We use it to prove foreseeability—that the national headquarters knew or should have known that their chapters were at high risk for these exact behaviors but failed to implement effective oversight. It shatters their defense of “this was a rogue chapter.”

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Why Data-Driven Litigation Wins

Ordinary injury law relies on the facts of a single event. Hazing litigation requires mapping an entire ecosystem. At our firm, we have built a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine from public records to leave no stone unturned. For families in Seven Pines, this means we start your case with knowledge, not guesswork.

Our engine includes:

• IRS Records of 125+ Texas-registered Greek housing corporations and alumni chapters (with EINs and addresses).
• Texas University Database tracking 96 campuses.
• Metro-Level Analysis showing, for example, 188 Greek organizations in the Houston metro and 510 in DFW.
• Cross-Referenced Brand Data to connect local chapters to their national entities.

A Snapshot of Greek Organizations Serving East Texas Families:

• EIN 237359384: Epsilon Nu Housing Corporation, Lubbock, TX. (IRS B83 Filing)
• EIN 742911848: Beta Upsilon Chi, Fort Worth, TX 76244. (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• EIN 462267515: Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, Frisco, TX. (The housing corp for the UH chapter in the Bermudez case).
• EIN 756060974: Sigma Chi Fraternity Zeta Eta, Commerce, TX 75429. (Chapter at Texas A&M University-Commerce).

This is more than a list; it’s a map to liability and insurance coverage. When we represent a family, we already know how to find the entities that share responsibility.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

If hazing has injured your child, taking swift, strategic action is critical. The opposing side—fraternities, nationals, and universities—have experienced lawyers and insurance adjusters who begin working against you immediately.

Critical Evidence We Pursue:

1. Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, and text threads showing planning, boasting, or cover-ups. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages.
2. Medical Records: Documentation linking injuries directly to the hazing event. For rhabdomyolysis (like in the UH case), this includes creatine kinase (CK) blood tests.
3. University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same chapter, obtained through discovery or public records requests.
4. National Fraternity Files: Internal risk management reports, training materials, and correspondence showing knowledge of prior incidents.
5. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, and roommates who can corroborate the events.

The Damages We Fight to Recover:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (ER, hospital, surgery, therapy), future medical care, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the ultimate tragedy, we seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and the family’s profound grief.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or malicious conduct, we seek damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Our approach is thorough and aggressive. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial because that readiness forces fair settlements. As we explain in our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case, the actions you take in the first days can determine the outcome.

A Practical Guide for Seven Pines Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and First Steps

• Watch For: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, sudden secrecy, personality changes, withdrawal from family, constant anxiety about phone notifications, and declining grades.
• Ask Openly: “Has anything made you feel uncomfortable or unsafe with the group?” “Are you able to say no if something doesn’t feel right?”
• If You Suspect Hazing: Document everything. Write down what your child says. Encourage them to screenshot messages. Seek medical evaluation. Then, call us for a confidential strategy session before contacting the university or organization.

For Students: Your Safety is the Priority

• Trust Your Gut: If it feels wrong, degrading, or dangerous, it is hazing.
• Have an Exit Plan: Know that you can walk away at any time. Your membership is not worth your health or life.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots. Take photos of injuries. Save everything. You can watch our guide on using your phone to document a legal case.
• Report Safely: You can report to the Dean of Students, campus police, or anonymously through the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Texas law offers protections for good-faith reporters.

Critical FAQs for Texas Families

• “Can we sue the university?” Yes, under specific legal theories. Sovereign immunity for public schools is a hurdle, not a wall. We have strategies to overcome it.
• “How long do we have to file a lawsuit?” In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, do not wait. Evidence disappears quickly. Learn more in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.
• “Can we afford a lawyer?” Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we only get paid if we win your case, taking a percentage of the recovery. There are no upfront costs. See how it works in our contingency fee explainer video.

Why Families in Seven Pines Choose Attorney911

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the depths of institutional power and how to fight it. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), we are Texas-based Legal Emergency Lawyers™ built for this exact fight.

Our Unmatched Texas Hazing Litigation Team:

• Ralph Manginello: With over 25 years of experience, Ralph’s background includes complex litigation against billion-dollar defendants from the BP Texas City explosion cases. He is a member of the elite Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), giving us insight into both the criminal and civil sides of hazing. Learn more about Ralph’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.
• Lupe Peña: Mr. Peña is our secret weapon. He spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies think, how they value claims, and how they try to deny coverage. This insider knowledge is invaluable. Learn more about Mr. Peña at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

Our Proven Strategy:
We combine Mr. Peña’s insurance insider knowledge with Ralph’s complex litigation experience and our proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine. We don’t just file a lawsuit; we launch a full-scale investigation to identify every liable entity—from the individual member who poured the drink to the national headquarters that turned a blind eye to decades of warnings.

We are currently leading the charge in the landmark Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case. We are not theorists; we are frontline litigators right now.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family in Seven Pines, Longview, or anywhere in Texas, you do not have to navigate this nightmare alone. The institutions involved will have teams of lawyers. You deserve a team of your own.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm today. We offer a free, completely confidential case evaluation.

During this consultation, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline our investigative strategy for your unique case.
• Answer all your questions about the process, timeline, and costs.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Hablamos Español—Mr. Peña provides fluent Spanish-language legal services.

Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). You can also reach us directly at (713) 528-9070 or visit https://attorney911.com to learn more.

Let us help you turn this crisis into a catalyst for accountability, recovery, and change.

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

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
1-888-ATTY-911 | https://attorney911.com