Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Legal Guide for Hemphill and Sabine County Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

Imagine this: your child, excited to start their college journey at a Texas university, joins a fraternity, sorority, or campus organization they believe will provide friendship and lifelong connections. Instead, they find themselves at an off-campus house, being forced to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol, enduring humiliating and painful physical punishments, or facing psychological torment—all under the banner of “tradition” or “initiation.” They feel trapped, afraid to speak out for fear of retaliation or social exclusion, and you, as a parent in Hemphill or elsewhere in Sabine County, watch helplessly as your child suffers.

This scenario is not hypothetical. Right now in Texas, we are actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in the country—the Leonel Bermudez University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi hazing lawsuit. This case represents exactly what Texas families in Hemphill, Pineland, Bronson, and throughout East Texas need to understand about the realities of modern hazing and the legal accountability available.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Hemphill and Sabine County, Texas who need to understand the complete picture of hazing in our state. We will cover:

What hazing truly looks like in 2025—beyond the stereotypes
Texas hazing law and your legal rights as a Texas family
Lessons from major national hazing cases and deaths
What’s happening at Texas universities where Hemphill families send their children
How fraternity and sorority national histories create predictable patterns of abuse
How to build a strong legal case for accountability and justice
Practical, immediate steps for Hemphill families facing a hazing crisis
Why Attorney911—The Manginello Law Firm—is uniquely qualified to help Texas families through this legal emergency

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES IN HEMPHILL & EAST TEXAS

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:

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
- Sign anything from the university or insurance company
- Post details on public social media
- Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed evidence, coached witnesses)
Universities move quickly to control the narrative
We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

For families in Hemphill, many of whom may not have direct experience with modern campus Greek life, understanding what constitutes hazing is the first critical step. Hazing is no longer just about “harmless pranks” or “boys will be boys” behavior—it’s a systematic pattern of abuse that endangers lives and leaves lasting trauma.

The Modern Definition of Hazing in Texas

Under Texas law (Education Code Chapter 37), hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

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

What this means for Hemphill families is simple: if your child was forced, pressured, or coerced into doing something dangerous, humiliating, or harmful to join or stay in a campus group, that’s hazing under Texas law—even if they said “yes” at the time. The power imbalance between new members and established members, combined with the fear of social exclusion, means true voluntary consent rarely exists in these situations.

The Four Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing

This remains the deadliest form of hazing nationwide and at Texas universities. It includes:

Forced drinking games: “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, “Bible study” where wrong answers mean drinking, “century clubs” where pledges drink 100 shots
Coerced consumption: Pressure to keep drinking beyond safe limits, often with threats of social exclusion or failure to gain membership
Substance coercion: Being forced to consume unknown mixtures, drugs, or dangerous combinations

The medical reality is stark: alcohol poisoning can cause vomiting, aspiration, brain damage, and death within hours. The Leonel Bermudez case at University of Houston involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting—a classic example of substance hazing that led to hospitalization.

2. Physical Hazing and Endurance Torture

Physical abuse disguised as “conditioning” or “team building” includes:

Extreme calisthenics: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups, squats, or wall sits until collapse
Environmental exposure: Being left outside in cold weather in underwear, lying in vomit-soaked grass
Physical beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking—often documented in photos shared as “trophies”
Restraint and bondage: Being tied up, hog-tied, or physically restrained for extended periods

In the Bermudez case, the physical hazing included sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and the Nov 3 workout where he was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion—leading directly to his medical crisis.

3. Psychological and Humiliation Hazing

This invisible but devastating form includes:

Sleep deprivation: Mandatory late-night meetings, 3 AM wake-up calls, multi-day events with minimal sleep
Social isolation: Being cut off from non-members, required to ask permission for basic social interactions
Verbal abuse and degradation: Constant yelling, insults, demeaning nicknames, public shaming
“Pledge fanny pack” humiliation: As in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, being forced to carry condoms, sex toys, and humiliating items 24/7

4. Digital and Sexualized Hazing

The most evolved forms in 2025 include:

Social media humiliation: Forced TikTok challenges, Instagram dares, compromising photos shared in group chats
24/7 digital control: Required instant responses to group messages, location tracking via apps, social media policing
Sexualized rituals: Simulated sexual acts, forced nudity, “elephant walks,” “roasted pig” positions
Recorded abuse: Hazing filmed on phones and shared as entertainment within the organization

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

For Hemphill families, it’s crucial to understand that hazing extends far beyond stereotypical “frat parties”:

Fraternities and Sororities: All councils—IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC (Divine Nine), multicultural Greek orgs
Corps of Cadets and ROTC: Military-style groups with tradition-heavy environments
Athletic Teams: Football, basketball, baseball, cheerleading, and other sports programs
Spirit and Tradition Groups: Texas Cowboys, Aggie Bonfire crews, spirit organizations
Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even elite musical organizations have documented hazing
Academic and Service Clubs: Some honor societies, service organizations, and cultural clubs

The common thread across all these groups is power imbalance, tradition justification, and secrecy enforced through social pressure. What starts as “just tradition” often escalates into systematic abuse because those in power were once victims themselves, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break without external intervention.

Texas Hazing Law: A Practical Guide for Hemphill Families

As Texans, we have specific state laws governing hazing that families in Hemphill, Sabine County, and throughout East Texas must understand. These laws provide both criminal penalties and civil remedies, but they operate within a complex framework that requires experienced navigation.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your Legal Foundation

Texas law defines hazing broadly and provides specific consequences:

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing violations (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes bodily injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death

Critical for Hemphill families to understand: The Leonel Bermudez UH Pi Kappa Phi case involved injuries that would likely qualify as serious bodily injury—rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure requiring four-day hospitalization and ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. This means individual participants could face felony charges under Texas law.

Organizational Liability in Texas

Texas law holds organizations accountable too:

Fraternities, sororities, clubs, and other campus groups can be fined up to $10,000 per violation
Universities can revoke recognition and ban organizations from campus
Both criminal and civil liability can extend to organizations that authorized or encouraged the hazing or whose officers knew about it and failed to report

Consent Is NOT a Defense in Texas

Texas Education Code §37.155 states explicitly: “It is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity.”

For Hemphill parents whose children say “but they agreed to it,” this is crucial. Texas law recognizes that “consent” under peer pressure, fear of exclusion, and power imbalance is not true voluntary consent. This legal principle has been affirmed in multiple Texas cases and is consistent with how courts nationwide view hazing “consent.”

Good-Faith Reporting Protections

Texas provides immunity for those who in good faith report hazing to universities or law enforcement. Many Texas universities also offer medical amnesty policies—if students call 911 for someone in medical distress, even if underage drinking is involved, they won’t face university disciplinary action for the alcohol violation. This is designed to remove barriers to seeking help in emergencies.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

When hazing occurs, two parallel legal tracks may develop:

Criminal Cases (Brought by the State)

Prosecuted by: District Attorney’s Office (for felony cases) or County Attorney (misdemeanors)
Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
Outcome examples: In the Max Gruver LSU Phi Delta Theta case, one member was convicted of negligent homicide; in the Timothy Piazza Penn State case, dozens faced criminal charges

Civil Cases (Brought by Victims/Families)

Filed by: Victims or their families through private attorneys
Goal: Compensation and accountability
Claims: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
Outcome examples: $10 million settlement in Stone Foltz case, $6.1 million verdict in Max Gruver case, $12.6 million verdict in Chad Meredith case

Important for Hemphill families: A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many hazing cases result in confidential civil settlements even when criminal charges are reduced or dismissed. The different standards of proof (beyond reasonable doubt for criminal vs. preponderance of evidence for civil) mean civil cases can succeed where criminal cases face higher hurdles.

Federal Laws Overlaying Texas Cases

The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)

This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

Report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthen hazing education and prevention programs
Maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026)
For Hemphill families with children at Texas public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, etc.), this means more publicly available information about which organizations have hazing violations

Title IX and Clery Act Implications

When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. Universities must:

Investigate promptly and equitably
Provide supportive measures to victims
Take steps to eliminate hostile environments

The Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes on campus—hazing incidents involving assault, alcohol crimes, or sexual offenses often fall under Clery reporting requirements.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Texas Hazing Case?

Understanding the full universe of potential defendants is critical for achieving meaningful accountability:

1. Individual Students

Those who planned, supervised, or participated in the hazing
Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager) who had supervisory responsibility
In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, 13 individual fraternity leaders/members were named as defendants

2. Local Chapter/Organization

The campus chapter as a legal entity (if incorporated)
Chapter housing corporations that own/control properties where hazing occurs
In Texas, many chapters have separate housing corporations with their own insurance

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters

Organizations that set policies, receive dues, provide training, and supervise chapters
Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents
Pattern evidence is critical—showing the same national organization had similar incidents at other campuses

4. Universities and Governing Boards

Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) may have sovereign immunity limitations but can still face claims for gross negligence or Title IX violations
Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections
Key questions: Did the university know about prior incidents? Did they enforce their own policies? Did they respond appropriately to complaints?

5. Third Parties

Landlords/owners of off-campus houses where hazing occurs
Bars or alcohol providers under Texas dram shop laws
Security companies or event organizers

For Hemphill families: The Leonel Bermudez case names the full defendant universe: University of Houston, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. This comprehensive approach ensures all potentially responsible parties are held accountable.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

The tragic stories from campuses nationwide provide painful but essential lessons for Hemphill families. These cases show predictable patterns that repeat across states, campuses, and organizations—patterns that skilled hazing attorneys use to establish liability and prevent future harm.

Alcohol Poisoning Deaths: The Most Predictable Pattern

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

What happened: 20-year-old pledge forced to consume entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night; died from alcohol poisoning
Legal outcome: Multiple criminal convictions; $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
Lesson for Texas families: The “Big/Little” drinking night is a predictable, repeating script that national fraternities have failed to eliminate despite prior deaths

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

What happened: Pledge forced to participate in “Bible study” drinking game; died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
Legal outcome: Multiple criminal charges; one convicted of negligent homicide; Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
Lesson for Texas families: Drinking games framed as “education” or “tradition” are equally deadly; state legislatures respond to public outrage with stronger laws

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

What happened: Bid acceptance night with extreme drinking; falls captured on chapter security cameras; delayed medical care
Legal outcome: 18 fraternity members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts; Pennsylvania enacted Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law
Lesson for Texas families: Delayed medical response dramatically increases liability; security cameras and digital evidence are critical

Physical and Ritualized Hazing: Beyond Alcohol

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

What happened: Pledge blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual; fatal traumatic brain injury; delayed 911 call
Legal outcome: Multiple criminal convictions; national fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter; Pi Delta Psi banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
Lesson for Texas families: Off-campus “retreats” are particularly dangerous; national organizations can face criminal organizational liability

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

What happened: 18-year-old pledge forced to consume excessive alcohol during “pledge dad reveal”; suffered severe, permanent brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see)
Legal outcome: Multiple criminal charges; settlements with 22 defendants (reportedly multi-million dollar total)
Lesson for Texas families: Non-fatal injuries can result in lifetime care needs exceeding what insurance covers; comprehensive lawsuits against all parties are essential

Athletic and Non-Greek Hazing: A Broader Problem

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)

What happened: Former players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within football program over multiple years
Legal outcome: Multiple lawsuits; head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired and settled wrongful-termination suit; university faces ongoing litigation
Lesson for Texas families: Hazing extends far beyond Greek life into big-money athletic programs with similar institutional cover-up patterns

Robert Champion – Florida A&M Marching Band (2011)

What happened: Drum major died after brutal hazing ritual involving severe physical beatings on band bus
Legal outcome: Multiple criminal convictions; FAMU held fully liable; $1 million settlement with family
Lesson for Texas families: University liability extends to all recognized student organizations, not just fraternities

What These Cases Mean for Hemphill Families

Patterns repeat: The same hazing methods (forced drinking games, physical endurance tests, humiliation rituals) appear across campuses and organizations
Institutional knowledge exists: National fraternities and universities know these patterns but often fail to implement effective prevention
Cover-up culture is consistent: Delayed medical care, destroyed evidence, coached witnesses, and institutional stonewalling are predictable responses
Legal accountability works: Multi-million dollar settlements, felony convictions, organization bans, and legislative reforms follow serious litigation
Texas is part of this national picture: What happened at Penn State, LSU, and Bowling Green can and does happen at Texas universities

The Leonel Bermudez UH Pi Kappa Phi case embodies all these patterns: forced consumption leading to medical emergency, physical endurance hazing, digital control via group chats, and institutional responses (chapter suspension Nov 6, 2025; charter surrender Nov 14, 2025) that follow the same playbook seen nationwide.

Texas Universities: Where Hemphill Families Send Their Children

Hemphill families in Sabine County have educational connections throughout Texas. While Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches may be geographically closest, many Hemphill students attend major universities across the state with active Greek life and documented hazing histories. Understanding what’s happening at these campuses is essential for Texas parents.

University of Houston (UH): Current Ground Zero for Texas Hazing Litigation

Campus Context for Hemphill Families

UH represents the urban Texas university experience for many East Texas students. With over 46,000 students and active Greek life across multiple councils, it’s where the flagship Texas hazing case of 2025 is unfolding.

The Leonel Bermudez Pi Kappa Phi Case: A Texas Case Study

This active litigation demonstrates what serious hazing looks like in Texas and how legal accountability works:

The Hazing Timeline:

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
Oct 13, 2025: Another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with object in mouth for over an hour
Nov 3, 2025: Bermudez forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
Nov 6-9, 2025: Medical deterioration, brown urine, four-day hospitalization with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure

Hazing Locations (All in Harris County):

Pi Kappa Phi chapter house at/near UH
Culmore Drive residence (owned by former member)
Yellowstone Boulevard Park for early-morning workouts

Medical Catastrophe:

Rhabdomyolysis: Severe skeletal muscle breakdown
Acute kidney failure: Critically high creatine kinase levels
Four-day hospitalization with ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage

Defendant Universe (Our Comprehensive Approach):

University of Houston
UH System Board of Regents
Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters
Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation
13 individual fraternity leaders/members (president, pledgemaster, sorority relations chair, risk manager, etc.)

Institutional Responses:

Nov 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter
Nov 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender their charter; chapter shut down
UH statement: Conduct “deeply disturbing,” promises disciplinary measures up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement

Media Coverage (Key Evidence Sources):

[Click2Houston report on U