The Complete Guide to Hazing Laws, Cases, and Accountability for Conroe, Texas Families

If Your Child Was Hazed in Texas, You Are Not Alone: A Guide for Conroe Parents from Attorney911

For parents in Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring, and across Montgomery County, the college journey for your child should be about growth, learning, and safe independence. Yet a hidden danger persists on campuses across Texas—one that transforms brotherhood into brutality and tradition into trauma. We are talking about hazing.

Imagine a Conroe student, excited to join a respected organization at their Texas university. What begins as bonding slowly twists into something darker: forced drinking, humiliating tasks, sleep deprivation, and physical punishment masked as “team building.” When injuries occur—a trip to the ER for alcohol poisoning, a diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis from extreme exercise, psychological trauma—families are often met with institutional stonewalling, fraternity cover-ups, and overwhelming confusion.

Right now, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, and 13 individual members of the Beta Nu chapter. The allegations are harrowing: forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; and extreme workouts that caused Bermudez to develop rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine and requiring four days of hospitalization. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter has been shut down, but the physical and psychological harm to this young man continues.

This is not an isolated incident. It is a pattern that repeats across Texas campuses, from the University of Houston to Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor. For families in Conroe and Montgomery County—whether your child attends nearby Sam Houston State University in Huntsville or travels to schools across the state—understanding hazing, the law, and your rights is critical.

If This Just Happened: Immediate Steps for Conroe Families

Medical Emergency Right Now?

• Call 911 immediately for any medical emergency
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• We provide immediate legal guidance for hazing emergencies

First 48 Hours – Evidence Preservation:

1. Get medical attention – even if your child insists they’re “fine”
2. Preserve digital evidence BEFORE deletion:
   • Screenshot ALL group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage)
   • Photograph injuries from multiple angles with good lighting
   • Save any physical items (clothing, receipts, objects used in hazing)
3. Write everything down – names, dates, locations, what happened
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity/sorority directly
   • Sign anything from the university or insurance company
   • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence
   • Post details on social media

Contact experienced hazing attorneys within 24-48 hours: Evidence disappears rapidly in hazing cases. Universities and fraternities move quickly to control narratives. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For Conroe families unfamiliar with modern Greek life dynamics, hazing has evolved far beyond “pranks” or “initiation rituals.” Today’s hazing is systematic, digitally coordinated, and psychologically sophisticated.

The Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing encompasses any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, maintaining membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior:

• Endangers physical or mental health
• Causes humiliation, degradation, or exploitation
• Creates an environment of fear and compliance

Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not make it legal or safe. Texas law recognizes that power imbalances, peer pressure, and fear of social exclusion create coercive environments where true consent is impossible.

Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing

• Forced drinking games (“lineups,” “century club,” “Big/Little” nights)
• Coerced consumption of unknown substances or dangerous mixtures
• Pressure to consume until vomiting or unconsciousness
• The result: Alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injury, death

2. Physical Hazing

• Paddling, beatings, physical assaults
• Extreme calisthenics (“smokings”) beyond safe limits
• Sleep deprivation (all-night “study sessions,” 3 AM wake-up calls)
• Food/water restriction or forced consumption
• Exposure to extreme temperatures
• The result: Rhabdomyolysis (as in the UH case), broken bones, heat stroke, permanent injuries

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

• Forced nudity or partial nudity
• Simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” inappropriate positions)
• Degrading costumes or public humiliation
• Acts with racial, homophobic, or sexist overtones
• The result: Psychological trauma, sexual assault, lifelong shame

4. Psychological Hazing

• Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from friends/family
• Manipulation through fear and guilt
• Public shaming in meetings or group settings
• “Gaslighting” – making victims doubt their experience
• The result: PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation

5. Digital Hazing

• Group chat dares and challenges (Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok)
• Pressure to create/share compromising images or videos
• 24/7 availability demands via messaging apps
• Cyberbullying and social media humiliation
• The result: Digital footprint damage, cyberbullying trauma, privacy violations

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While fraternities receive significant attention, hazing occurs across campus organizations:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC (military-style groups with tradition-based hazing)
• Athletic Teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer, swimming)
• Spirit and Tradition Groups (Texas Cowboys, cheer teams, dance teams)
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups
• Academic and Service Organizations

The common thread: social status, tradition, and secrecy maintain these practices even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: What Conroe Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing statutes that provide both criminal penalties and civil recourse. Understanding these laws is crucial for Montgomery County families considering legal action.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F

§ 37.151 – Definition of Hazing

Texas law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
• Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students

Plain English Translation: If someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group—and they meant to do it or were reckless about the risk—that’s hazing under Texas law, whether it happens on campus, at an off-campus house, or during a “retreat.”

Key Legal Points:

• Location doesn’t matter (on-campus, off-campus, at “retreats”)
• Harm can be physical OR mental
• “Reckless” conduct qualifies (they didn’t intend harm but ignored obvious risks)
• “Consent is not a defense” (even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing)

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

§ 37.152 – Criminal Penalties:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

Additional Criminal Provisions:

• Failing to report hazing (if you’re a member/officer and knew): misdemeanor
• Retaliating against someone who reports: misdemeanor

§ 37.153 – Organizational Liability:
Organizations themselves can be prosecuted if they:

• Authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
• An officer/member acting officially knew about hazing and failed to report

Organizational penalties: Up to $10,000 fine per violation, plus university can revoke recognition.

Protections for Those Who Report

§ 37.154 – Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting:
A person who in good faith reports hazing to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result.

Practical Application: Many Texas universities have “medical amnesty” policies protecting students who call 911 in alcohol emergencies, even if they were drinking underage. This is designed to remove barriers to life-saving intervention.

How Texas Law Compares Nationally

Texas has strong hazing laws but falls in the middle nationally:

• Stronger states: Pennsylvania (Piazza Law), Louisiana (Max Gruver Act), Ohio (Collin’s Law)
• Texas strengths: Clear definition, “consent not a defense” provision, felony for serious injury/death
• Texas limitations: Less public awareness than branded laws in other states

The ongoing UH Pi Kappa Phi case could potentially drive Texas hazing law reforms similar to those in other states following high-profile tragedies.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by: The State of Texas (prosecutor)
• Purpose: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter (in fatal cases)
• Burden of proof: “Beyond a reasonable doubt”

Civil Cases:

• Brought by: Victims or surviving families
• Purpose: Compensation and accountability
• Typical claims: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
• Burden of proof: “Preponderance of evidence” (more likely than not)

Critical Insight: These cases can run simultaneously. A criminal conviction is NOT required to pursue a civil case. Many successful civil hazing lawsuits proceed independently of criminal proceedings.

Federal Law Overlay

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

• Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents transparently
• Strengthens hazing education and prevention
• Mandates public hazing data (phased in by 2026)
• Impact for Conroe families: More transparency from universities about which organizations have violations

Title IX & Clery Act:

1. Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger institutional response requirements
2. Clery Act: Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing often overlaps with reportable offenses (assault, alcohol crimes)

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students:

• Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
• Chapter officers (president, pledge educator, risk manager)

2. Local Chapter/Organization:

• The fraternity/sorority itself (if incorporated)
• Housing corporations that own chapter facilities

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters:

• Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
• Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents

4. University or Governing Board:

• Schools may be liable under negligence or civil rights theories
• Key questions: prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference
• Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections but exceptions exist

5. Third Parties:

• Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces
• Bars/alcohol providers (under dram shop theories)
• Security companies or event organizers

Every case is fact-specific. Not every party is liable in every situation, but experienced hazing attorneys investigate all potential sources of accountability.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

The national landscape of hazing litigation provides critical context for Conroe families. These cases establish patterns, legal precedents, and settlement benchmarks that shape what’s possible in Texas courts.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)

• What happened: Bid-acceptance event with forced heavy drinking; Piazza suffered multiple falls captured on chapter cameras; brothers delayed calling 911 for hours
• Legal outcome: Dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members; civil litigation; Pennsylvania passed Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law
• Texas relevance: Demonstrates how delayed medical response dramatically increases liability; security camera footage became crucial evidence

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

• What happened: “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking; Gruver died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
• Legal outcome: Multiple members charged; one convicted of negligent homicide; Louisiana passed Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
• Texas relevance: Shows how legislative change follows tragedy; “drinking games” are particularly dangerous and legally indefensible

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

• What happened: Pledge forced to drink nearly entire bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” event; died from alcohol poisoning
• Legal outcome: Multiple criminal convictions; $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
• Texas relevance: Demonstrates significant university liability even at public institutions; established precedent for holding national organizations accountable

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

• What happened: “Big Brother Night” event where pledge was given handle of liquor; died from acute alcohol poisoning
• Legal outcome: Multiple members prosecuted; FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life
• Texas relevance: Formulaic drinking “traditions” are predictable and preventable; universities may take drastic action after tragedies

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)

• What happened: Pledge at fraternity retreat subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual; suffered fatal head injuries; help delayed
• Legal outcome: Multiple members convicted; national fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter; banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
• Texas relevance: Off-campus “retreats” don’t eliminate liability; national organizations face criminal prosecution

Collin Wiant – Ohio University, Sigma Pi (2018)

• What happened: Freshman died after collapsing at off-campus Sigma Pi house; alleged hazing-related drug use (nitrous oxide)
• Legal outcome: Parents sued; case highlighted drug use in unofficial houses; led to Ohio’s “Collin’s Law: The Anti-Hazing Act”
• Texas relevance: “Unofficial” or underground chapters still create liability; drug-related hazing presents unique dangers

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)

• What happened: Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within football program over multiple years
• Legal outcome: Multiple lawsuits against university and staff; head coach fired; confidential settlements
• Texas relevance: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to major athletic programs; institutional cover-ups can lead to massive liability

Western Kentucky University Swim Team (2012-2015)

• What happened: Investigation revealed years of hazing including verbal/physical abuse
• Legal outcome: University placed entire swim program on five-year suspension; $75,000 settlement with former team member
• Texas relevance: Even non-revenue sports face serious consequences for hazing culture

Severe Injury Cases (Non-Fatal)

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021)

• What happened: 18-year-old forced to consume excessive alcohol during “pledge dad reveal”; suffered severe, permanent brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see; requires 24/7 care)
• Legal outcome: Multiple criminal charges; settlements with 22 defendants reportedly totaling millions
• Texas relevance: Catastrophic non-fatal injuries can result in lifelong care costs exceeding death cases

Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas A&M University (2021)

• What happened: Two pledges alleged forced strenuous activity with substances including industrial-strength cleaner poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
• Legal outcome: Pledges sued for $1 million; fraternity suspended for two years
• Texas relevance: Texas-specific case showing chemical hazing dangers; university disciplinary action doesn’t preclude civil suits

What These Cases Mean for Conroe Families

1. Pattern Recognition: The same dangerous behaviors repeat across campuses and organizations
2. Legal Precedents: Successful lawsuits in other states establish arguments that work in Texas courts
3. Settlement Benchmarks: Multi-million dollar settlements show what serious cases are worth
4. Institutional Accountability: Universities and national organizations increasingly face consequences
5. Time Sensitivity: Evidence disappears quickly; early legal intervention is critical

Texas University Focus: Where Conroe Students Attend

Conroe families send students to universities across Texas. Understanding the specific hazing landscape at each institution is crucial for prevention and response.

University of Houston: The Flagship Texas Hazing Case

For Conroe Families: Located just 40 miles south of Conroe, UH is a common choice for Montgomery County students. The ongoing Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates that serious hazing happens at our local universities.

Campus & Greek Life Snapshot

• Large urban research university with 47,000+ students
• Active Greek community with 50+ fraternities and sororities
• Mix of commuter and residential students
• Diverse organizations including IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and multicultural councils

UH Hazing Policy & Reporting

• Policy: Prohibits hazing on and off campus
• Definition: Aligns with Texas Education Code
• Reporting channels: Dean of Students Office, UHPD, online reporting forms
• Transparency: Limited public hazing violation lists compared to UT Austin

The Leonel Bermudez Pi Kappa Phi Case

This ongoing case represents the most serious hazing litigation currently active in Texas. Key details every Conroe parent should know:

Timeline of Events:

• Sept 16, 2025: Bermudez accepts bid to Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter
• Sept-Oct 2025: Forced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews, overnight chauffeuring duties, “pledge fanny pack” humiliation
• Oct 13, 2025: Another pledge hog-tied face-down on table with object in mouth for over an hour
• Nov 3, 2025: Bermudez forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
• Nov 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends chapter after receiving hazing reports
• Nov 6-9, 2025: Bermudez’s condition deteriorates; he passes brown urine; hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
• Nov 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender charter; chapter closed

Specific Hazing Acts Alleged:

• “Pledge fanny pack” containing condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices
• Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races in vomit-soaked grass
• Cold-weather exposure in underwear
• Hose spraying in face “similar to waterboarding”
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting
• Threats of actual waterboarding

Medical Consequences:

• Rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown)
• Acute kidney failure
• Critically high creatine kinase levels
• Four-day hospitalization
• Ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage

Defendants:

• University of Houston
• UH System Board of Regents
• Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters
• Beta Nu housing corporation
• 13 individual fraternity leaders/members

Legal Significance for Texas:
This case establishes that Texas courts will hear serious hazing claims against public universities and national fraternities. The $10 million damage demand sets a benchmark for severe injury cases.

Prior UH Hazing Incidents

2016 Pi Kappa Alpha Case:

• Pledges allegedly deprived of food, water, and sleep during multi-day event
• One student suffered lacerated spleen after being slammed onto table
• Chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges and university suspension

Other Disciplinary Actions:
U