The Complete Texas Hazing Guide for Alvarado Families: University Accountability, Legal Rights & What to Do When Pledging Turns Dangerous

For parents in Alvarado, the pride of watching your child head off to a Texas university is profound. Your student settles into a dorm at the University of Houston, joins the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, or rushes a sorority at SMU. Then, the calls home change. The exhaustion seems beyond normal college stress. There are vague mentions of “mandatory” late-night meetings, unexplained injuries, and a new, secretive anxiety. For a growing number of Texas families, this shift signals a terrifying reality: their child is being hazed. Right now, in our own state, we are actively fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country—the $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This case, detailed in exclusive Click2Houston and ABC13 reports, is proof that catastrophic hazing is not a distant headline; it is a present danger on Texas campuses.

This guide is written for you—the parents and families in Alvarado and across Johnson County. Whether your student is at a local college, a major university like Texas A&M or UT Austin, or any campus in between, you deserve to understand the modern reality of hazing, the Texas laws designed to protect your child, and the legal pathways to accountability when those systems fail. We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ at Attorney911. We represent hazing victims and their families, combining deep Texas trial experience with an insider’s knowledge of how institutions fight back. Our goal here is not to alarm, but to arm you with knowledge, because what you don’t know can irrevocably harm your child.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate help—that’s our promise.

In the first 48 hours, your priorities must be:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if they insist they are “fine,” a doctor must evaluate them. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) may not show immediate symptoms.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted:
   • Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), texts, and DMs immediately.
   • Photograph any injuries from multiple angles.
   • Save physical items (soiled clothing, paddles, receipts for forced purchases).
3. Document Everything: Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, and specific acts—while their memory is fresh.
4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence disappears fast. Universities move quickly to control narratives. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

DO NOT:

• Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
• Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
• Post details on public social media.
• Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Alvarado and Beyond

Hazing is no longer the cartoonish “hell week” of old movies. For Alvarado students on campuses today, it is a sophisticated, often digitally-facilitated pattern of coercion that exploits a desire for belonging. It is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of joining or maintaining status in a group. Critically, under Texas law, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense. The power imbalance and group pressure inherent in pledging negate true voluntary agreement.

The Modern Hazing Taxonomy

• Alcohol & Substance Hazing: The most common and deadly. This includes forced chugging, “family tree” or “Bible study” drinking games (wrong answer = drink), and being handed a handle of liquor during “Big/Little” reveals.
• Physical Hazing: Beyond “conditioning.” This is forced, exhaustive calisthenics (hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits to collapse), paddling, beatings, sleep deprivation, and exposure to extreme elements. The Bermudez case involved 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, and cold-weather workouts in underwear.
• Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walks”), degrading costumes, and acts with racist or sexist overtones designed to strip away dignity.
• Psychological & Digital Hazing: 24/7 control via group chats, verbal abuse, isolation, and public shaming on social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok. The “pledge fanny pack” with humiliating contents in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case is a prime example.

These acts occur not just in fraternities and sororities, but in athletic teams, spirit groups like the Texas Cowboys, Corps of Cadets programs, marching bands, and other campus organizations. The common thread is the abuse of power masked as “tradition.”

Law & Liability Framework: Texas Statutes and Your Family’s Rights

For Alvarado families, understanding the legal landscape is the first step toward accountability. Texas has specific, powerful statutes, but they are only as strong as the enforcement behind them.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Law

Texas law defines hazing broadly and imposes serious consequences:

• Criminal Penalties: 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 who fail to report hazing or retaliate against reporters also face misdemeanor charges.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation.
• Key Protections: The law provides immunity for good-faith reporters and, critically, states that § 37.155: “It is not a defense to prosecution that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to the hazing activity.”

Civil Lawsuits: The Path to Accountability & Compensation

A criminal case is brought by the state to punish. A civil lawsuit, which we handle, is brought by the victim and family to recover damages and force institutional change. They can proceed simultaneously. In a civil hazing case, liable parties can include:

1. The Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued for creating a dangerous environment.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters can be liable for negligent supervision, especially if they knew of prior incidents (a pattern we consistently uncover).
4. The University: Schools like UH, Texas A&M, or SMU can be sued for negligent oversight, particularly if they had prior knowledge of risks and failed to act. Sovereign immunity for public universities has exceptions, such as for gross negligence.
5. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords, or alcohol providers may share liability.

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

Federal laws add another layer:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and enhance prevention programs by 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, the university’s Title IX obligations are triggered.
• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain campus crimes, which can include hazing-related assaults.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Script Texas Chapters Repeat

The tragic cases that make national news are not anomalies; they are blueprints. The same patterns of forced drinking, humiliation, and cover-up occur at Texas schools because the national organizations overseeing local chapters have seen these scripts before.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid-acceptance drinking night. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case led to Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law and over 1,000 criminal charges.
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game. His death led to Louisiana’s felony hazing statute, the Max Gruver Act.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. His family reached a $10 million settlement with the national fraternity and university.
• Danny Santulli – Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. His family settled with 22 defendants, highlighting the lifelong care needed for non-fatal hazing injuries.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Died from alcohol poisoning at a “Big Brother” event, leading to a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU.

What This Means for Alvarado Families: These national precedents show courts and juries are holding organizations financially and criminally accountable. They establish “foreseeability”—proving that national fraternities and universities know these rituals are deadly. When the same patterns emerge at a Texas school, we use this history to build a powerful case for accountability.

Texas University Focus: Where Alvarado Students Are At Risk

Families in Alvarado and Johnson County often have students at a mix of local institutions and major statewide universities. Understanding the specific landscape and history of these campuses is crucial.

The University of Houston (UH) & The Flagship Case

For many in the Greater Houston area, UH is a top choice. It is also the site of our firm’s active, landmark hazing litigation.

The Leonel Bermudez Case – Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu Chapter): In fall 2025, pledge Leonel Bermudez was subjected to systematic abuse: a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” forced chauffeuring, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and extreme physical workouts. On November 3, he was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats. He later developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine and requiring a four-day hospitalization. We filed a $10 million lawsuit against UH, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the housing corporation, and 13 individual members. The chapter was suspended and voted to surrender its charter. This case, covered by Click2Houston and Hoodline, is a stark example of how quickly hazing can turn life-threatening.

UH’s Greek Ecosystem: UH hosts a large, active Greek community. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks the dense network of organizations in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro area, which includes 188 Greek-related entities. For a UH family, liability may extend beyond the undergrad chapter to affiliated housing corporations and alumni chapters registered with the IRS.

Texas A&M University & The Corps of Cadets

The culture of tradition at Texas A&M is powerful, and sometimes, that tradition masks abuse.

Notable Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged being doused with a mixture containing industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. A lawsuit sought $1 million.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged being bound between beds in a degrading, simulated sexual position as part of hazing. The lawsuit sought over $1 million in damages.

For Alvarado Parents: The combination of a robust Greek system and the intense Corps of Cadets program means multiple potential risk vectors. Hazing here is often defended as “character building,” but Texas law draws a clear line at endangerment and humiliation.

University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin sets a standard for transparency with its public online hazing violations log—a resource that also serves as evidence of prior knowledge in litigation.

Documented Violations (Examples from UT’s Log):

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation and mandatory hazing prevention education.
• Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Sanctioned for acts including forced alcohol consumption and physically demanding tasks.

The Legal Takeaway: UT’s own public records can be used to prove that the university and organizations were on notice about hazing behaviors, strengthening a victim’s civil case.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

These private, historically Greek-heavy schools have their own documented struggles.

• SMU – Kappa Alpha Order: The chapter was suspended after 2017 reports of paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.
• Baylor – Baseball Team Hazing (2020): 14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation, reminding us that athletics are not immune.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Alvarado Families

If your child is hazed, you are not starting from zero. As part of our investigative strategy, we maintain a comprehensive database built from public IRS filings, university records, and commercial data. This “Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine” tracks over 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros. For Alvarado parents, this means we can quickly identify every entity behind a chapter—house corporations, alumni associations, national headquarters—that may share liability and hold insurance.

A Snapshot of Texas Greek Entities (From Public IRS B83 Filings):

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC, EIN 13-3048786, 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 Filing)
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC, EIN 46-2267515, 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 Filing)
• PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY, EIN 74-6064445, 1855 Highway 69 N, Nederland, TX 77627 (IRS B83 Filing)
• TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC, EIN 74-1380362, PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 Filing)

Major Campus Hubs for Alvarado Students:
Alvarado families commonly have students at universities across the state, including:

• Nearby & Regional: Tarleton State University (Stephenville), Texas Christian University (Fort Worth), University of Texas at Arlington.
• Statewide Flagships: University of Houston, Texas A&M University (College Station), University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University (Waco), Southern Methodist University (Dallas).

Each of these campuses has a complex ecosystem of national fraternities and sororities with documented hazing histories, making our deep-data approach essential for effective litigation.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and the Attorney911 Advantage

When you come to us, we don’t just file a lawsuit. We conduct a military-grade investigation to build an unassailable case. Our advantage stems from our unique composition: Ralph Manginello’s experience taking on billion-dollar defendants in the BP Texas City explosion litigation and Mr. Lupe Peña’s insider knowledge as a former insurance defense attorney for a national firm. We know how the other side fights because Mr. Peña used to be on their team.

Critical Evidence We Pursue

1. Digital Forensics: Deleted GroupMe, WhatsApp, and text messages. Social media posts, Snapchat stories, and Instagram DMs. We work with experts to recover what organizations try to erase.
2. Internal Chapter & National Records: Pledge manuals, “tradition” documents, meeting minutes, and risk management reports from the national headquarters that show prior knowledge.
3. University Discipline Files: Through discovery, we obtain the full history of complaints and sanctions against the chapter—proof the school knew of the risk.
4. Medical & Psychological Records: Documentation of physical injuries (like rhabdomyolysis lab reports) and diagnoses of PTSD, depression, or anxiety from licensed therapists.
5. Witness Testimony: We strategically interview other pledges, former members, and roommates to corroborate the pattern of abuse.

Overcoming Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and dismantle the standard defenses:

• “The Pledge Consented”: Texas law § 37.155 explicitly nullifies this. We demonstrate the coercive power imbalance.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We subpoena national records to show a pattern of similar incidents across the country, proving foreseeability.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability is based on control and sponsorship, not just geography. Nationals that collect dues and universities that recognize chapters retain responsibility.
• “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts”: Mr. Peña’s defense background is invaluable here. We argue negligent supervision—a covered claim—and fight bad faith denials.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Alvarado Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Watch for: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, sudden secrecy, personality changes (anxiety, withdrawal), constant phone monitoring for group chats, and financial hits from “mandatory” purchases.
If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk calmly and supportively. Ask open-ended questions: “Are you ever asked to do things that make you uncomfortable?” “What happens if someone says no?”
2. If there is any injury, seek medical care immediately and tell the doctor about the hazing.
3. Help your child preserve evidence. Use your phone to photograph their phone screen showing group chats. Our video on using your phone to document evidence can guide you.
4. Contact an attorney before reporting to the university. We can help you navigate the process to avoid common mistakes that can undermine a case. Learn about these pitfalls in our client mistakes video.

For Students: Your Safety and Rights

• Is This Hazing? If you feel pressured, endangered, or humiliated to belong, it likely is. Trust your instinct.
• You Have the Right to Leave. Your safety is more important than any organization. “Quitting” is not failure.
• You Can Report Anonymously. Use campus hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).
• Texas Law Protects Good-Faith Reporters. You cannot be punished for calling 911 in a medical emergency, even if underage drinking was involved.

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 when they knew of prior risks and failed to act. The multi-million dollar settlements with Bowling Green State (Stone Foltz case) show it is possible.

“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, complexities like the discovery rule or a victim’s age can affect this. Do not wait. Evidence vanishes quickly. We explain more in our statute of limitations video.

“Will this be public? Will my child’s name be in the news?”
Most civil cases settle confidentially before trial. We take great care to protect our clients’ privacy throughout the legal process, using sealed filings and confidential settlement agreements whenever possible.

“How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?”
We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, including hazing litigation. This means you pay no upfront fees. Our fees are a percentage of the recovery we obtain for you. If we don’t win, you don’t pay attorney’s fees. Learn how this works in our contingency fee explainer video.

Why Attorney911 for Your Alvarado Family’s Hazing Case

When your family faces the trauma of hazing, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need a firm with a proven record against powerful institutions, a deep understanding of the hidden mechanisms of Greek life and university administrations, and the compassion to guide you through a crisis.

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña spent years defending insurance companies. He knows how fraternity and university insurers undervalue claims, use delay tactics, and fight coverage. We know their playbook because Mr. Peña helped write it.
• Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the multi-billion dollar BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by national fraternities or university legal teams with deep pockets. We’ve faced Goliaths before.
• Data-Driven Investigation: We employ our proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine from day one. We identify all potentially liable entities—house corporations, alumni chapters, national headquarters—that other firms might miss.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Capability: With Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits, allowing us to advise clients comprehensively.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish (Se habla Español), ensuring we can serve the diverse families of Texas with comfort and clarity.

Our mission in hazing cases is twofold: to secure the maximum compensation necessary for our client’s recovery and future, and to force the institutional changes that will prevent the next family from suffering this pain.

Call to Action: Contact Attorney911 for a Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If hazing has impacted your child at any Texas campus, you are not alone. The path forward begins with a conversation. We serve families across Texas, including those right here in Alvarado, Burleson, Cleburne, and throughout Johnson County.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today:

• Call our 24/7 Legal Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Mr. Lupe Peña (Se habla Español): lupe@atty911.com
• Website: https://attorney911.com

In your free, confidential consultation, we will:

• Listen to your story with empathy and without judgment.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your family’s legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Discuss our investigative approach and what you can expect.
• Answer all your questions about the process and our contingency fee structure.

Your child’s safety and your family’s future are paramount. Take the first step toward accountability and recovery. Call us now.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly. Contacting Attorney911 does not create an attorney-client relationship until a written agreement is signed.
The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC | Attorney911 | Houston, Austin, & Beaumont, Texas | 1-888-ATTY-911

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston Report: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline Summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Documenting Evidence with Your Phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Main Website:

• Contact Attorney911: https://attorney911.com