A Guide for Spearman Families: When Hazing at Texas Universities Injures Your Child

For Parents in Spearman, Texas: Your Worst Nightmare, Our Fight

You’re at home in Spearman, the quiet of the High Plains evening settling around you. Your phone rings—it’s your child, away at a big Texas university. Their voice is thin, scared, not like the excited student who left Hansford County for college. They mumble something about a “pledge event,” about not feeling right, about being pressured. You hear a tremor of fear, a hint of shame. They won’t give you details. “I can’t talk about it,” they say. “I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.”

A cold dread seeps in. Is your child safe? What have they been forced to do to “fit in”? Is this the hazing you’ve read about in the news, happening not just in far-away places but to your son or daughter at a Texas campus?

For families across the Texas Panhandle, in communities like Spearman, Gruver, and Morse, sending a child to a major university is a point of pride. Yet, woven into the fabric of campus life at schools like Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and West Texas A&M, there exists a dangerous undercurrent: hazing. What’s dismissed as “tradition” or “team bonding” can quickly cross into abuse, leaving students with physical injuries, psychological trauma, and, in the worst cases, facing death.

Right now, we are actively fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history, proving that this is not a theoretical risk—it is a present danger. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a former University of Houston (UH) student who suffered catastrophic injuries during his fall 2025 pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter.

According to a $10 million lawsuit filed in Harris County, Bermudez was subjected to months of systematic hazing. This included carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7, enduring sleep deprivation, and being forced to chauffeur members. The physical abuse escalated to extreme workouts at locations including Yellowstone Boulevard Park, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.

The culmination was a November 3rd workout where he was forced through over 100 push-ups and 500 squats. He was hospitalized days later, passing brown urine. He was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring a four-day hospitalization with a risk of permanent kidney damage. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was swiftly suspended and then shut down, with UH calling the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

This is happening in Texas, right now. And if it can happen at UH, it can happen at any campus where students from Spearman enroll. This guide is for you—the parents, grandparents, and families in Spearman and Hansford County. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the laws that protect your child, the patterns we see in national and Texas cases, and, most importantly, the practical steps you can take to protect your family and seek accountability.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
  • Call 911 for medical emergencies.
  • Then call us: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.
• In the first 48 hours:
  • Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine.”
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
    • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately.
    • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
    • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects).
  • Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where).
  • Do NOT:
    • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team.
    • Sign anything from the university or any insurance company.
    • Post details on public social media.
    • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney: Evidence disappears fast. We can help preserve it and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

For Spearman families, hazing might conjure images of movie stereotypes. The reality in 2025 is more insidious, often disguised as tradition and enabled by digital tools. Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act tied to joining or maintaining status in a group that endangers physical or mental health. “I agreed to it” is not a defense under Texas law when power imbalances and coercion are at play.

The Modern Categories of Hazing

• Alcohol & Substance Hazing: Forced or coerced drinking games (“lineups,” “century club”), consuming dangerous amounts or unknown mixtures. This remains the leading cause of hazing deaths nationwide.
• Physical Hazing: Paddling, beatings, “smokings” (extreme calisthenics), sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme weather, food/water restriction. This is what led to Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis.
• Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or roles, acts with racist or sexist overtones.
• Psychological Hazing: Verbal abuse, isolation, threats, manipulation, forced confessions, public shaming.
• Digital Hazing: 24/7 demands via GroupMe or WhatsApp, forced participation in humiliating social media “challenges,” location tracking, cyberbullying for non-compliance.

Where Hazing Happens

It’s not just fraternities. Students from Spearman may face risks in:

• Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural councils).
• Corps of Cadets, ROTC, or military-style groups.
• Athletic Teams (varsity and club sports).
• Spirit Squads & Performance Groups (cheer, band, dance).
• Academic Clubs, Honor Societies, and “Tradition” Organizations.

The common thread is a dynamic where older members hold power over new members, using “tradition” to justify abuse.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What Spearman Families Need to Know

Texas has strong laws against hazing, found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Understanding this framework is crucial for holding responsible parties accountable.

Texas Hazing Law (Chapter 37) In Plain English

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group.
• Criminal Penalties:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury.
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Key Protections:
  • Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): Even if your child “went along with it,” it’s still a crime.
  • Immunity for Reporters (§37.154): Individuals who in good faith report hazing or call for medical help are protected from civil or criminal liability for their own minor involvement (like underage drinking).
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or team itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized the hazing or if an officer knew and failed to report it.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim for punishment (jail, fines, probation). Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by the victim and their family. Aim for financial compensation for damages and institutional accountability. This is where we help families recover for:
  • Medical bills (past and future)
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Lost educational opportunities
  • Wrongful death (funeral costs, loss of companionship)

These cases can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction is powerful evidence in a civil case, but it is not required to file a civil lawsuit.

Federal Laws That Apply on Every Campus

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires universities receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and maintain public hazing data.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, the university has specific legal obligations to investigate and address it.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain campus crimes, which can include hazing-related assaults.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A thorough investigation seeks to identify every responsible entity, which may include:

1. Individual Students who planned, executed, or supplied materials for the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as an organization.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, or prior knowledge of dangerous traditions.
4. The University for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to a known threat, or failure to enforce its own policies.
5. Property Owners & Landlords of off-campus houses where hazing occurs.
6. Third-Party Vendors (e.g., bars, alcohol suppliers under dram shop laws).

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Predict Tragedy

The UH Pi Kappa Phi case is not an anomaly. It fits a decades-long pattern of preventable tragedies. These national cases create the legal precedents and “foreseeability” that strengthen lawsuits for Texas families.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Pledge died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. $10 million settlement with the national fraternity and university.
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Pledge died after a “Bible study” drinking game. Led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing).
• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Pledge died after a bid night with heavy drinking; brothers delayed calling 911. Resulted in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Pledge died from traumatic brain injury after a violent, blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted.

The Athletic Hazing Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread alleged sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, coach firations, and confidential settlements, proving hazing is entrenched in major athletic programs.

What This Means for Spearman Families: These cases show universities and national organizations are on notice. When a chapter repeats these known, deadly patterns, it strengthens claims of negligence and gross negligence.

Texas Universities: A Reality Check for Spearman Families

Students from Spearman and the Panhandle attend universities across Texas. Here is what you need to know about hazing at schools your child may attend.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX)

Most Relevant to Spearman Families: Located in nearby Canyon, WTAMU is a common choice for regional students. It has active Greek life and athletic programs.

• Culture Snapshot: A growing regional university with traditional Greek life and strong athletic teams.
• Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine Data: The Amarillo metro area, which includes Canyon, hosts multiple registered Greek entities. For example, public records show the Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association (EIN: 752290669) in Amarillo and the Alpha Tau Omega – Zeta Kappa Chapter (linked to WTAMU) in Canyon.
• Parents Should Know: Proximity doesn’t guarantee safety. Hazing risks exist in Greek life, sports teams, and other clubs. Evidence must be reported to WTAMU’s Dean of Students and/or the University Police Department. Civil cases may be filed in Randall County courts.

Texas A&M University (College Station, TX)

A flagship destination for Texas students, with a massive Greek system and the famed Corps of Cadets.

• Documented Incidents: Lawsuits have alleged severe hazing within the Corps of Cadets, including degrading and sexualized rituals. Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) at A&M faced a lawsuit where pledges alleged being doused with industrial cleaner, causing chemical burns requiring skin grafts.
• The Data Landscape: The College Station-Bryan metro has 42 Greek-related organizations. IRS records list entities like the Beta Theta Pi – Eta Chapter House Corp (EIN: 814123811) in College Station. This is the level of organizational detail we track.

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)

Another major university drawing Panhandle students, with a significant Greek presence.

• The Data Landscape: The Lubbock metro has 59 Greek organizations. Public filings include entities like the Epsilon Nu Housing Corporation (EIN: 237359384) and the Farm House Fraternity Inc. Texas Tech chapter (EIN: 751565336), both in Lubbock.

University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) & Others

Students may also attend UT Austin, Texas State, University of Houston, or others.

• UT Austin’s Transparency: UT publishes a public hazing violations log online, listing chapters sanctioned for forced drinking, extreme calisthenics, and other abuses.
• Statewide Reach: Our data engine tracks 1,423 fraternity and sorority organizations across 25 Texas metros. Wherever your child is, we can identify the network of organizations behind the chapters.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Relevant to Texas Families

We maintain an unprecedented Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from IRS filings, university data, and public records. This allows us to immediately identify the legal entities behind Greek life. Below is a sampling of the data we use to build cases for families in Spearman and across Texas.

This is a public records directory of Texas-registered Greek organizations (IRS B83 filings). These listings illustrate the complex organizational landscape behind campus chapters.

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC (EIN: 133048786) | 3007 EARL RUDDER FWY S, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845
• GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC (EIN: 161675890) | 115 WILD WICK WAY, THE WOODLANDS, TX 77382
• FRANK HEFLIN FOUNDATION (EIN: 203507402) | 9000 W COUNTRY CLUB RD, CANYON, TX 79015 (Phi Delta Theta alumni fund linked to WTAMU)
• PI KAPPA PHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER BUILDING CORPORATION (EIN: 371768785) | 4102 EASTSHORE ST, MISSOURI CITY, TX 77459
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC (EIN: 462267515) | 10601 BIG HORN TRL, FRISCO, TX 75035 (The housing corporation for the UH chapter in our lawsuit)
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC (EIN: 475370943) | 5019 CALHOUN RD, HOUSTON, TX 77204
• TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC (EIN: 741380362) | PO BOX 470061, FORT WORTH, TX 76147
• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY (EIN: 740555581) | 2711 RIO GRANDE ST, AUSTIN, TX 78705
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI (EIN: 900293166) | 114 HENDERSON HALL 4233 TAMU, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77843

This directory demonstrates that fraternities and sororities are not just student clubs; they are often legal entities with Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), insurance policies, and assets. When hazing occurs, we know how to find every organization in the chain of responsibility.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Our Approach for Texas Families

When you contact us about a potential hazing case, we deploy a proven, data-driven strategy honed from years of complex litigation against powerful institutions.

Critical Evidence We Pursue

1. Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, iMessage, and social media DMs. We use digital forensics to recover deleted messages.
2. Photos & Videos: Content shot by participants, security footage from houses, Ring doorbell cameras.
3. Internal Organization Records: Pledge manuals, “tradition” documents, emails between officers and national headquarters.
4. University Records: Prior disciplinary files on the group, campus police reports, Clery Act reports obtained via discovery.
5. Medical & Psychological Records: To document the full extent of physical injuries and trauma (PTSD, depression, anxiety).
6. Witness Testimony: From other pledges, former members, roommates, and advisors.

The Damages We Fight to Recover

• Economic Damages: All medical expenses (ER, hospital, surgery, therapy), future medical care, lost wages, and diminished future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: For families who have suffered the ultimate loss, we seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship.

How We Defeat Common Defense Tactics

We know the playbook because Mr. Lupe Peña used to help write it as an insurance defense attorney.

• “The Pledge Consented”: Texas law (§37.155) nullifies this. We demonstrate the coercive power dynamics.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We subpoena national headquarters records to show prior incidents and prove foreseeable patterns.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability isn’t limited by geography. We establish control and sponsorship by the university or national org.
• “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts”: We argue negligent supervision by the nationals or university—a covered claim. We identify all possible insurance policies.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Spearman Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation.
• Sudden secrecy or withdrawal from family.
• Anxiety around phone alerts (group chats).
• Personality changes: depression, irritability, fear.
• Financial requests for unexplained “fines” or “dues.”

What to Do:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m worried about you. Is there anything happening in your group that feels unsafe or wrong?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there’s any immediate danger or injury, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot everything before it’s deleted. Take photos of injuries.
4. Seek Medical Care: Get a professional evaluation, both physical and psychological.
5. Contact 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 preserves evidence. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

For Students: Is This Hazing?

• Are you being pressured or coerced?
• Would you do this if there were no social consequences for refusing?
• Is the activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Are you told to keep it a secret?
  If you answered yes, it is hazing. Your safety comes first. You have the right to leave any group at any time.

Critical Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Case

• Deleting Evidence: Don’t clear group chats or texts.
• Confronting the Group Directly: This prompts them to destroy evidence and lawyer up.
• Signing University Documents: Do not sign any “resolution” or waiver from the school without an attorney.
• Posting on Social Media: Defense lawyers monitor everything; inconsistencies can be used against you.
• Waiting Too Long: Evidence vanishes, witnesses graduate, memories fade. The Texas statute of limitations is generally two years from the injury.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue the university?”
Yes, under theories of negligent supervision or deliberate indifference. Public universities have some immunity, but exceptions exist, especially for gross negligence.

“How much does a hazing lawyer cost?”
We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery we obtain for you. We don’t get paid unless we win.

“Will this be public? Will my child’s name be in the news?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We fiercely protect our clients’ privacy throughout the process.

“What if the hazing happened at an off-campus house?”
Location does not shield organizations from liability. We establish their connection and control over the activity.

Why Attorney911 is the Right Firm for Spearman Families Facing Hazing

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the intricate power dynamics of universities and national fraternities, and who have the proven skill to face them down.

Our Unmatched Texas Hazing Litigation Team

Ralph Manginello – Managing Partner
With over 25 years of litigation experience, Ralph’ background is built for institutional fights. His involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation proves our firm’s capability against billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal resources—the exact profile of major universities and national fraternities. As a member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), he understands the criminal side of hazing cases, allowing us to navigate dual civil and criminal exposures seamlessly.

Mr. Lupe Peña – Associate Attorney
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 fight to deny coverage. He learned their playbook from the inside, and now he uses that knowledge to secure maximum recoveries for our clients. He also provides fluent Spanish-language services for Hispanic families.

Our Data-Driven, Investigative Advantage

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine is not just for show. It means when a Spearman family comes to us, we don’t start from zero. We already understand the ecosystem of Greek life in Texas. We can quickly identify the housing corporations, alumni associations, and national headquarters behind a chapter, which is critical for locating insurance coverage and assets.

Our Commitment to Spearman and the Texas Panhandle

We are a Texas firm serving Texas families. We understand the values of communities like Spearman—family, hard work, and accountability. We leverage our Houston base to handle cases in courts across the state, and we are committed to helping families in the Panhandle find justice, no matter where their child was injured.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you do not have to navigate this alone. The university will have its lawyers. The fraternity will have its lawyers. You deserve experienced, dedicated advocates on your side.

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to listen to your story, review any evidence you have, and explain your legal options clearly and honestly. We will help you understand the process, the potential outcomes, and how we can fight to hold every responsible party accountable.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 Today

• Call our 24/7 line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Website: https://attorney911.com

Hablamos Español. Se habla Español. Contacte a Lupe Peña.

Let us help you turn this crisis into a pursuit of accountability and prevention, so no other family in Spearman has to endure what yours has.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com