The Complete Guide to Hazing in Texas: A Resource for Families in Saint Jo, Montague County & Across the State

If you are a parent in Saint Jo, Montague County, and your child has come home from college with unexplained injuries, sudden anxiety, or stories about “mandatory” late-night events that sound alarming, you are not alone. Right now, in Texas, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country—a case that shows exactly how dangerous and deceptive campus hazing has become in 2025.

In November 2025, our firm filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge. The allegations are graphic and severe: forced consumption of food until vomiting, extreme physical workouts, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and wearing a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” 24/7. This systematic abuse led to Bermudez developing rhabdomyolysis—a severe muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He was hospitalized for four days, and his future health remains at risk. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter has been shut down, and the University of Houston has called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

This is not an isolated incident. It is a pattern. For families in Saint Jo, Bowie, Nocona, and across Montague County—whether your child attends Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas A&M in College Station, or any other Texas campus—this case proves that hazing is a present, active danger. This guide exists to give you the facts, the law, and the actionable steps you need if hazing has touched your family.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies.
• Then call Attorney911: 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:

1. Get medical attention immediately, even if your child insists they are “fine.”
2. Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted: Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, texts), photograph injuries from multiple angles, and save any physical items involved.
3. Write down everything while memories are fresh: who, what, when, where.
4. Contact an experienced hazing attorney. Evidence disappears fast. We can help secure it and protect your 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 Texas

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks or “boys will be boys” antics. It is a calculated pattern of coercion, humiliation, and abuse designed to assert power and create loyalty through trauma. For Saint Jo families, understanding its modern forms is the first step toward recognizing danger.

A Clear, Modern Definition

Under Texas law, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintaining membership in any organization. Crucially, the victim’s “consent” is not a defense. When there is a power imbalance and fear of social exclusion, true consent does not exist.

The Main Categories of Hazing Today

Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the deadliest form. It includes forced drinking games (“lineups,” “Bible study”), coerced consumption of handles of liquor on “Big/Little” nights, and pressure to use drugs. The goal is often rapid incapacitation.

Physical Hazing: This involves painful, dangerous physical acts: paddling or beatings, “smokings” involving hundreds of push-ups or squats, sleep and food deprivation, and exposure to extreme elements (like being left outside in cold weather).

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or positions, and acts infused with racist, sexist, or homophobic overtones. The psychological damage can be profound and lasting.

Psychological and Digital Hazing: This is the 24/7 control mechanism. It includes verbal abuse, isolation from non-members, and—critically—digital coercion through group chats. Pledges are often required to respond instantly to messages at all hours, share their live location, and post humiliating content on social media.

Where Hazing Happens

While fraternities and sororities are often the focus, hazing pervades many groups:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural)
• Corps of Cadets, ROTC, and military-style groups
• Athletic teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Spirit and tradition organizations (like marching bands or “secret” societies)
• Some academic, service, and cultural clubs

The common threads are tradition, secrecy, and an imbalance of power between new and existing members.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal Hazing Laws

Understanding the legal landscape is crucial for Saint Jo families seeking accountability. Texas has strong hazing laws, and federal statutes add another layer of potential liability for universities and organizations.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas law provides clear criminal penalties and civil recourse.

• Definition (§37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for purposes of initiation or affiliation. This applies on or off campus.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152): Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing they witness.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): The law explicitly states that a victim’s consent is irrelevant.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club 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.
• Immunity for Reporters (§37.154): Those who report hazing in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability stemming from the report. This encourages calling 911 in emergencies.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim to punish perpetrators with jail time, fines, or probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, and in fatal cases, manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by victims and their families. Aim to secure compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, future care) and force institutional change. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit. We often pursue civil actions concurrently with criminal proceedings to ensure full accountability.

Federal Law Overlay

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and strengthen prevention programs. Public data reporting will phase in by 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, it triggers the university’s Title IX obligations for investigation and response.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to disclose campus crime statistics and security policies. Hazing incidents that involve assault, alcohol crimes, or other reportable offenses must be logged.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Hazing cases almost always involve multiple responsible parties. Our investigations aim to identify every entity with liability:

1. Individual Students: Those 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 Fraternity/Sorority: Headquarters can be liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and having prior knowledge of dangerous patterns at other chapters.
4. The University: Schools can be liable for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known dangers, and premises liability. Public universities (like UT or Texas A&M) have certain immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence.
5. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords of off-campus houses, and alcohol providers (under dram shop laws).

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Keep Repeating

The Leonel Bermudez case at UH is terrifyingly similar to national patterns we’ve seen for years. These are not “rogue” incidents; they are predictable outcomes of dangerous traditions. Understanding these patterns helps Saint Jo families see that their case is part of a larger, actionable narrative.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State Univ. (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A pledge died after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol. Result: A $10 million settlement ($7M from nationals, ~$3M from university) and criminal convictions.
• Max Gruver – LSU (Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died during a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. Result: The Max Gruver Act (Louisiana felony hazing law) and a $6.1 million civil verdict.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State Univ. (Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died after a “Big Brother” night with handles of liquor. Result: FSU suspended all Greek life.

The Physical & Ritualized Violence Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College (Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded “glass ceiling” tackling ritual at a retreat. Result: The national fraternity was criminally convicted of manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

The Athletic Hazing Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread, sexualized hazing allegations led to multiple player lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements. This proves hazing is endemic in high-profile sports programs.

What These Cases Mean for Saint Jo Families

These national precedents are powerful tools. They show foreseeability—these organizations knew or should have known the risks. They establish patterns of negligent supervision. And they demonstrate that juries and courts will hold powerful institutions accountable with multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Your case in Texas is not starting from scratch; it is building on a proven legal framework established by these tragedies.

Texas Focus: Where Saint Jo Families Send Their Kids to College

Parents in Saint Jo and Montague County often have children attending a mix of regional universities and major statewide hubs. Hazing is a risk at all of them.

The Local & Regional Campuses

Families in North Texas frequently have students at these nearby institutions, all of which have active Greek life or tradition-based organizations where hazing can occur:

• Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls, Wichita County)
• University of North Texas (Denton, Denton County)
• Texas Woman’s University (Denton, Denton County)
• Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce, Hunt County)

The Major Statewide Hubs

Saint Jo students also attend Texas’s flagship universities, which have deeply entrenched Greek systems and documented hazing histories:

• University of Houston (UH) – Home to the ongoing Leonel Bermudez/Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit.
• Texas A&M University – Has faced severe hazing lawsuits in both its Greek system and its Corps of Cadets.
• University of Texas at Austin (UT) – Maintains a public hazing violations log showing repeated sanctions against fraternities and spirit groups.
• Southern Methodist University (SMU) – A private school with a strong Greek tradition and past hazing suspensions.
• Baylor University – Has confronted hazing within its athletic programs.

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Greek Ecosystem

Saint Jo is part of the greater Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area, which, according to our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, contains over 510 Greek-related organizations. This includes undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, and housing corporations that form the backbone of Greek life for students from our region. When hazing occurs, these are the entities we investigate.

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

As part of our data-driven approach, we maintain an intelligence engine tracking Greek organizations across Texas. Below is a sample from public records (IRS B83 filings and Cause IQ data) showing the types of entities we investigate in hazing cases. This is why we start an investigation with more knowledge than just a fraternity’s Greek letters.

In the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Area (Partial List):

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, EIN: 74-2911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Cause IQ metro listing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN: 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147-0061 (IRS B83 filing)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, EIN: 52-1278573, Dallas, TX 75241-4331 (IRS B83 filing)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN: 75-2609909, Commerce, TX 75428-2561 (IRS B83 filing)
• Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Theta Upsilon, Wichita Falls, TX (Educators’ society chapter – Cause IQ listing)

Statewide University & Housing Corporations (Examples):

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN: 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035-6629 (IRS B83 filing) [Entity connected to the UH lawsuit]
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN: 90-0293166, College Station, TX 77843-0001 (Texas A&M University – IRS B83)
• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, EIN: 74-6047117, Austin, TX 78705-4017 (IRS B83 filing)
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, EIN: 74-6064445, Nederland, TX 77627-8843 (IRS B83 filing)

This directory illustrates a critical point: behind every social chapter is a network of formal, registered organizations with Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), legal addresses, and often, insurance policies. We use this data to identify every potentially liable entity from day one.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories That Create Texas Liability

When a chapter at UT Austin, Texas A&M, or UH hazes, its national headquarters cannot plausibly claim ignorance. Decades of fatal incidents have created clear patterns of foreseeability. Here’s how national histories directly impact cases for Saint Jo families:

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): The national organization was involved in the Stone Foltz $10M settlement at Bowling Green. This history is directly relevant to any Pike chapter in Texas.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Facing lawsuits nationwide, including a traumatic brain injury case at Alabama and a chemical burns case at Texas A&M. Their national pattern of incidents shows systemic issues.
Pi Kappa Phi: The national org was central to the Andrew Coffey hazing death at Florida State. This pattern is now at the heart of our UH lawsuit against them.
Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver death at LSU led to felony hazing laws. Their national risk management policies are scrutinized in every subsequent case.

In litigation, we subpoena national headquarters for their internal records: prior incident reports for the specific Texas chapter, risk management training materials, and communications about known “traditions.” This pattern evidence is how we prove negligence and secure larger settlements that force real change.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages & Attorney911’s Strategy

Filing a hazing lawsuit is a complex, investigative process. It requires experience in personal injury law, institutional litigation, and a deep understanding of how fraternities and universities operate. Here is how we build cases for Texas families.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

1. Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, and text message screenshots showing planning, coercion, and boasts about the hazing. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages.
2. Photos & Videos: Content filmed by participants themselves, often shared in group chats or on social media.
3. Internal Organization Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” lists, and emails between chapter officers.
4. University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same group, obtained through discovery or public records requests. UT Austin’s public hazing log is a prime example.
5. Medical & Psychological Records: Documentation of physical injuries (ER reports, lab tests for rhabdomyolysis) and diagnoses of PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
6. Witness Testimony: Statements from other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders.

Recoverable Damages for Victims and Families

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, future therapy), lost wages, and costs for interrupted education.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness or intentional conduct, courts may award damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Our Strategic Advantage: The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine & Litigation Experience

Our approach is defined by two unmatched assets:

1. Data-Driven Investigation: We don’t start from zero. Our proprietary directory of Texas Greek organizations (like the sample above) allows us to immediately identify house corporations, alumni chapters, and national entities—each a potential source of liability and insurance coverage. We know who to subpoena on day one.
2. Proven Institutional Litigation Experience: Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on a billion-dollar corporation. Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm; he knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers fight claims. We combine this insider knowledge with a network of medical experts, economists, and digital forensics specialists to build unbeatable cases.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Saint Jo Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Steps

Warning Signs Your Child is Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation.
• Sudden personality changes: anxiety, withdrawal, irritability.
• Secrecy about group activities (“I can’t talk about it”).
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Requests for money for unexplained “fines” or “required” purchases.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m worried about you. Is anything happening that feels unsafe or forced?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages and photograph injuries.
4. Seek Medical Care: Get a professional assessment, even for psychological distress.
5. Consult a Lawyer Before Reporting: We can guide you on how to report to the university or police in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence.

For Students: Is This Hazing?

• Ask Yourself: Am I being pressured? Would I do this if I could truly say no? Is it dangerous or degrading? Would I hide it from my parents or the dean?
• If the answer is YES, it is hazing. Your “consent” under pressure is not valid under Texas law.
• To Exit Safely: Tell a trusted person first (parent, RA). You can resign via email—do not go to a “last meeting.” You have the legal right to quit. Report retaliation to campus police immediately.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Hazing Case

1. Deleting Evidence: “Cleaning up” group chats is often seen as obstruction of justice.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers their legal defense and evidence destruction.
3. Signing University Paperwork Unreviewed: Schools may offer quick “resolutions” that waive your right to sue.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys scour social media for inconsistencies.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence vanishes, witnesses graduate, and the 2-year statute of limitations passes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can we sue the university?
A: Yes, depending on the facts. Universities can be liable for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, and premises liability. Public universities have some immunity, but exceptions exist.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury, including hazing, is generally two years from the date of injury. However, complexities can affect this deadline. Do not wait.

Q: What if it happened off-campus at a rental house?
A: Location does not absolve liability. Nationals and universities can still be responsible based on sponsorship and control. The landlord may also bear responsibility.

Q: Will this be public?
A: Most cases settle confidentially. We aggressively protect our clients’ privacy throughout the process.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Texas Hazing Case

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the playbook of your opponents and have the resources to rewrite it. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas, including those in Saint Jo, Montague County, and all of North Texas.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation:

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) is a former insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers undervalue claims, use delay tactics, and fight coverage. We know their strategy because we used to help build it.
• Complex Institutional Litigator: Partner Ralph Manginello’s experience in the BP Texas City explosion litigation proves we are unafraid of billion-dollar defendants. National fraternities and major universities have deep pockets and aggressive lawyers—we are built to fight them.
• Data-Driven Investigation: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine gives us a foundational directory of Greek organizations. We don’t start investigations from scratch; we start with maps of liability.
• Full-Service Representation: We handle both the civil lawsuit for compensation and, through our affiliated criminal defense practice, can advise on any related criminal hazing charges, ensuring a coordinated strategy.
• Empathetic, Victim-Centered Advocacy: We know this is traumatic. We fight not just for compensation, but for answers, accountability, and changes that will protect other students.

Call to Action for Saint Jo and Montague County Families

If you suspect your child has been hazed at Midwestern State University, Texas A&M, the University of Houston, or any other Texas campus, you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved will have teams of lawyers working to minimize their exposure. You need an experienced team on your side.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today for a free, confidential consultation.

We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, and explain your legal options clearly and honestly. We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases—meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.

Call us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
Website: https://attorney911.com
Se habla Español: Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com

Let us help you secure the evidence, hold the right people accountable, and fight for the justice and security your family deserves.

Legal Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and law. For advice on your specific situation, please contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC for a consultation.