A Guide for San Saba Families: Understanding Hazing, Your Legal Rights, and Texas University Accountability
For parents in San Saba, sending your child to college is a proud milestone. It’s a time for growth, learning, and making lifelong friends. Yet, in the background of campus life, a dangerous tradition persists, one that has shattered families across Texas and the nation. Imagine your student, eager to belong, caught in a situation where saying “no” feels impossible. What begins as bonding can escalate into forced drinking, sleep deprivation, and physical abuse, all hidden behind closed doors under the guise of tradition.
Right now, in Houston, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who was hazed by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. His ordeal included forced consumption of food until vomiting, extreme physical workouts, and humiliating rituals that led to rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and a multi-day hospitalization. This $10 million lawsuit names the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.
If this can happen in Houston, it can happen anywhere Texas students gather. This comprehensive guide is written for you—parents, families, and students in San Saba and across San Saba County. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the Texas laws that protect your child, the patterns of abuse at major universities, and the concrete steps you can take to protect your family and seek accountability.
IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:
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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™.
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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, and 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 directly.
- Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
- Post details on public social media.
- Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.
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Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:
- Evidence disappears fast. We can help preserve it and protect your child’s rights.
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.
Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Central Texas
Hazing is not a relic of the past or just “boys being boys.” It is a calculated, often hidden, system of abuse that exploits a young person’s desire to belong. For students from San Saba attending Hill College, Texas A&M University-Central Texas, or universities across the state, understanding the modern face of hazing is critical.
A Clear, Modern Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or holding office in any group. The act must endanger the student’s mental or physical health or safety. Crucially, under Texas law, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense.
Main Categories of Hazing:
- Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the deadliest form. It includes forced chugging, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, and coerced consumption of unknown substances. The goal is often rapid, dangerous intoxication.
- Physical Hazing: This ranges from paddling and beatings to extreme, punitive calisthenics (often called “smokings” or “workouts”) designed to cause exhaustion or injury. It also includes sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements.
- Psychological and Humiliating Hazing: This includes verbal abuse, threats, social isolation, forced confessions, and public shaming. A modern twist is digital humiliation—being forced to post embarrassing content on social media or participate in degrading TikTok challenges.
- Sexualized Hazing: This involves forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, or sexually degrading rituals. These acts are not only traumatic but can also trigger a university’s Title IX obligations.
- Digital/Online Hazing: Beyond public shaming, this includes 24/7 monitoring via group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), mandatory immediate responses at all hours, and location tracking via apps like Snapchat Maps or Find My Friends.
Where Hazing Happens: While fraternities and sororities are often in the news, hazing is a systemic issue in:
- Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs.
- Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer, etc.).
- Spirit groups and tradition clubs (like the Texas Cowboys).
- Marching bands and performance groups.
- Some academic, cultural, and service organizations.
For San Saba families, the takeaway is this: any group that uses power imbalance, secrecy, and “tradition” to mandate harmful behavior may be hazing your child.
The Texas and Federal Legal Framework: Laws Protecting Your Child
Texas has specific statutes designed to combat hazing, and understanding them empowers families in San Saba County to take action.
Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F (Hazing):
- Definition (§37.151): Hazing is defined broadly to include reckless acts that endanger mental or physical health for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. This applies on or off campus.
- Criminal Penalties (§37.152): Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing they knew about.
- Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
- Immunity for Reporting (§37.154): A person who in good faith reports hazing is immune from civil or criminal liability that might stem from the report. This is meant to encourage calling for help.
- Consent is Not a Defense (§37.155): This is a critical protection. Even if your child felt pressured to say “yes,” their consent is legally irrelevant if the acts meet the definition of hazing.
- University Reporting Duties (§37.156): Texas colleges must publish hazing policies and maintain annual reports of violations. This can be a valuable source of information about an organization’s past.
Criminal vs. Civil Cases:
- Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim to punish through jail time, fines, or probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or even manslaughter.
- Civil Lawsuits: Brought by victims and their families. Aim to secure compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, lost education) and hold all responsible parties accountable. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil case. These are separate paths that can—and often do—run simultaneously.
Federal Laws:
- Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to enhance hazing transparency, reporting, and prevention programs by 2026.
- Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, federal Title IX procedures and obligations are triggered, creating another avenue for institutional accountability.
- Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults or alcohol crimes.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?
A thorough investigation seeks to identify every entity with responsibility:
- Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
- The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, if it exists.
- The National Fraternity/Sorority: Headquarters can be liable for negligent supervision, failing to act on known patterns, or having inadequate policies.
- The University: For negligent oversight, deliberate indifference to known dangers, or Title IX violations.
- Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, property owners where events were held, or alcohol providers (under dram shop laws).
National Hazing Case Patterns: The Script Texas Chapters Follow
Tragically, hazing incidents are not unique. They follow predictable scripts. The national cases below have shaped laws and show the severe consequences families in San Saba can seek.
- The Alcohol Poisoning Script – Stone Foltz (BGSU, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A pledge was forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. He died from alcohol poisoning. This led to a $10 million settlement with his family and criminal convictions. Relevance for Texas: The “Big/Little” drinking night is a common fraternity tradition.
- The Deadly Drinking Game – Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): A pledge died during a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. This led to the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, strengthening felony hazing laws.
- The Institutional Cover-Up – Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A pledge died after a night of forced drinking, with his falls captured on chapter house cameras. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case led to massive criminal charges and the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania.
- The “Retreat” Hazing – Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): A pledge died from traumatic brain injury during a violent, blindfolded ritual at a fraternity retreat in the Poconos. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Relevance: Hazing often moves off-campus to avoid detection.
- The Catastrophic Injury – Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): A pledge suffered permanent, severe brain damage from forced drinking. His family reached multi-million-dollar settlements with 22 defendants. This case shows the lifelong cost of non-fatal hazing.
These cases prove that courts and juries will hold organizations and individuals financially and criminally responsible. They establish legal precedents that benefit Texas families seeking justice.
Texas University Focus: Where San Saba Families Send Their Kids
San Saba County parents often see their children attend a mix of local institutions, regional universities, and major state flagship schools. Understanding the landscape at each is crucial.
Hill College & Central Texas Institutions
For many San Saba students, higher education begins close to home. While community colleges like Hill College may not have traditional Greek systems, hazing can occur in athletic teams, clubs, or other student groups. The principles of accountability and the Texas hazing statutes apply equally here. Any student organization is capable of perpetuating abuse, and early intervention is key.
Texas A&M University-Central Texas (Killeen)
As a growing university in the region, TAMU-Central Texas serves many Central Texas families. Students may be involved in campus clubs, athletic teams, or affiliate with nearby Greek chapters. Parents should be aware that hazing risks exist in these settings. The university’s conduct policies prohibit hazing, and reports should be made to the Dean of Students office. Civil cases involving the university or its recognized organizations would be subject to Texas’s legal framework and potentially involve Bell County courts.
The Major Texas Hubs: Patterns of Risk and Response
Most San Saba families have connections to the larger Texas university systems. These schools have documented hazing histories that reveal systemic patterns.
University of Houston (UH): Our firm’s active litigation in the Leonel Bermudez case is a stark example of severe hazing at a major Texas institution. According to the Click2Houston report on the UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case, Bermudez was subjected to a “pledge fanny pack” humiliation, forced overeating, waterboarding-like hose spraying, and extreme workouts that led to kidney failure. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter was swiftly suspended and then voted to surrender its charter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” This case demonstrates that even in a large, urban university setting, dangerous hazing persists, and decisive legal action can force immediate institutional response. For families, it underscores the importance of acting quickly to preserve evidence like group chats and medical records.
Texas A&M University (College Station): The Aggie network is powerful, but its traditions have sometimes crossed into abuse.
- Corps of Cadets: A 2023 lawsuit alleged a cadet was subjected to degrading hazing, including being bound in a “roasted pig” position. The case sought over $1 million.
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): A 2021 lawsuit alleged pledges were doused with substances, including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The chapter was suspended.
For San Saba families with children in the Corps or Greek life at A&M, these cases highlight that hazing is not limited to “unofficial” groups but can occur within the most storied institutions on campus.
University of Texas at Austin: UT maintains a public online log of hazing violations, offering a degree of transparency.
- Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): Sanctioned for directing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
- Various spirit groups and fraternities have been placed on probation for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, and humiliating activities.
This public record can be a valuable tool. If your child is hazed by an organization with prior violations on UT’s log, it strengthens the argument that the university and the national organization had notice of a dangerous pattern.
Southern Methodist University (SMU): As a private university with a prominent Greek system, SMU has faced its own scandals.
- Kappa Alpha Order (2017): The chapter was suspended for reports of paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.
SMU’s private status means less public reporting, but it does not diminish legal liability. Investigations and civil discovery can uncover internal reports and prior incidents.
Baylor University: Following broader institutional crises, Baylor has faced hazing issues within its athletic programs.
- Baseball Team (2020): 14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation.
This reminds us that hazing pervades athletic departments, not just Greek life.
The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter
The fraternities and sororities on Texas campuses are chapters of national organizations. These nationals have decades of documented hazing incidents, which creates “foreseeability”—they knew or should have known their chapters were at high risk for repeating these dangerous patterns.
Why National Histories Matter in Court: If a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at UH or Texas A&M forces dangerous drinking, the national organization cannot claim ignorance after the Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green. This pattern evidence is crucial for proving negligent supervision and can support claims for punitive damages.
A Snapshot of National Patterns (Non-Exhaustive):
- Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): Stone Foltz death ($10M settlement); multiple other alcohol-related deaths and injuries.
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Multiple chapter suspensions nationwide; lawsuits at Texas A&M (chemical burns) and UT Austin; traumatic brain injury lawsuit in Alabama.
- Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): Andrew Coffey death at Florida State; now the subject of our active Leonel Bermudez lawsuit at UH.
- Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): Max Gruver death at LSU, leading to felony hazing law.
- Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ): SMU chapter suspension; other nationwide hazing violations.
This is not about branding all members as bad. It is about holding national corporations accountable for failing to effectively control the dangerous rituals they know have persisted for generations within their brand.
Public Records: The Texas Greek Organizational Landscape
For families in San Saba, it’s important to know that fraternities and sororities are not just social clubs; they are often legal entities with tax IDs, officers, and insurance policies. Our firm maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records, to track these organizations. Below is a snapshot of the kind of data we use to investigate and build cases. These are public IRS (B83) and commercial filings for Greek-letter organizations across Texas.
Sample Texas Greek Organization Listings (Public Records):
- Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc, EIN 133048786, 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 filing).
- Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Inc, EIN 161675890, 115 Wild Wick Way, The Woodlands, TX 77382 (IRS B83 filing).
- Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing). This is the housing corporation for the UH chapter involved in the Bermudez case.
- Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 746084905, 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing).
- Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 741380362, PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 filing).
- Chi Omega Fraternity, EIN 740555581, 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705 (IRS B83 filing, house corporation).
Statewide, public data indicates over 1,400 Greek-related organizations operate across 25 Texas metro areas, with hundreds in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston metros alone. This complex web of local chapters, alumni associations, and housing corporations is why experienced legal investigation is critical. We know how to trace liability and find insurance coverage.
Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy for San Saba Families
If hazing has impacted your family, building a strong case requires immediate and strategic action.
Critical Evidence to Preserve:
- Digital Communications: Screenshot everything—GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram DMs, Snapchat stories. Even “disappearing” messages can often be recovered. Our video on using your cellphone to document a legal case explains best practices.
- Photos & Videos: Of injuries, locations, events, and any props used. Time-stamped media is powerful.
- Medical Records: All ER visits, doctor’s notes, lab results (like elevated CK levels indicating rhabdomyolysis), and psychiatric evaluations for PTSD or trauma.
- Witness Information: Names and contact info for other pledges, roommates, or bystanders.
- Physical Evidence: Save soiled or damaged clothing, paddles, receipts for forced purchases.
Types of Damages You Can Seek:
- Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost wages, costs of delayed or disrupted education, and future earning capacity if permanently impaired.
- Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship for the family.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious conduct or cover-ups, courts may award damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.
Our Strategic Advantage: Our firm is uniquely equipped for these complex fights. Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers try to deny claims, lowball settlements, and exploit delays. Ralph Manginello has taken on billion-dollar corporations in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by deep-pocketed national fraternities or university legal teams. We have a network of medical experts, economists, life-care planners, and digital forensics specialists. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, because that readiness is what forces fair settlements.
Practical Guides & FAQs for San Saba Parents and Students
For Parents – Warning Signs:
- Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
- Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation.
- Drastic mood changes: new anxiety, depression, or withdrawal.
- Secrecy about group activities; being “on call” 24/7 for the group.
- Sudden academic decline.
- Unexplained financial charges (for alcohol, costumes, “fines”).
For Students – If You’re Being Hazed:
- Your safety comes first. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
- You have the right to leave. “Consent” is not a defense for them.
- Preserve evidence secretly if safe: screenshot messages, record voice memos (Texas is a one-party consent state), photograph injuries.
- Report it: To the Dean of Students, campus police, or anonymously through the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).
- Seek medical and mental health care. Tell the doctor you were hazed so it’s documented.
Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case:
- Deleting Evidence: The impulse to “make it go away” destroys your case. Preserve, don’t delete.
- Confronting the Organization: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching. Let your attorney handle communication.
- Signing University Papers: Do not sign any “resolution” agreements or waivers without an attorney’s review.
- Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys scour social media for inconsistencies. Keep details private.
- Waiting Too Long: Texas generally has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury, but evidence and memories fade fast. Learn more about statutes of limitations in our video.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can we sue a public Texas university like UH or Texas A&M? Yes, but sovereign immunity provides some protections. Exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, or suing individual employees. These are complex arguments we navigate regularly.
- What if it happened off-campus? Location does not matter under Texas hazing law. Liability extends to organizations and universities based on their sponsorship and control.
- Will our name be public? Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy throughout the process.
- How much does it cost? We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees; we only get paid if we win your case. See our video explaining how contingency fees work.
- What is the first step? Call us for a free, confidential consultation. We will listen, evaluate your situation, and explain all your legal options.
Why San Saba Families Choose The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911
When your family faces the trauma of hazing, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the depth of the fight. We are Texas-based hazing litigation specialists serving families in San Saba, San Saba County, and across the state.
Our Proven Credentials for Hazing Cases:
- Active, High-Stakes Litigation: We are lead counsel in the $10 million Leonel Bermudez vs. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case. We are in the fight right now.
- Insurance Insider Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a defense attorney for insurance companies gives us an unbeatable edge in negotiating with fraternity and university insurers.
- Institutional Litigation Experience: Ralph Manginello’s work on the BP Texas City explosion case proves we can face the largest, most resistant institutional defendants.
- Comprehensive Investigation: We deploy our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from thousands of public records—to map organizational liability and identify all responsible parties from day one.
- Spanish-Language Services: Se habla Español. Mr. Peña provides full legal consultations in Spanish.
- A Commitment to Accountability: We take these cases not just for compensation, but to force change, protect future students, and honor the courage of victims and their families.
Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation
If you suspect your child has been hazed at Hill College, Texas A&M-Central Texas, the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other campus, you are not alone. The path forward begins with a conversation.
We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation case evaluation. In this consultation, we will:
- Listen carefully to your story.
- Review any evidence you have gathered.
- Explain your family’s legal rights under Texas and federal law.
- Outline the potential legal strategies and what you can realistically expect.
- Answer all your questions about the process, timeline, and costs.
There is no pressure. Our goal is to provide you with the clarity and information you need to make the best decision for your family.
Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 Today:
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
24/7 Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com
We serve families in San Saba, across Texas, and nationwide.
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)
