The Panhandle’s Guide to Hazing, Accountability & Law: What Every Stratford, Texas Family Must Know

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

Imagine this: Your child, eager for the full college experience, joins a fraternity, sorority, or campus organization at a Texas university. The excitement of making new friends and finding community turns into something darker. You notice cryptic text messages, unexplained exhaustion, and a growing sense of fear every time they mention a “chapter event.” Then, the call comes. Your child is in the hospital. The story emerges piecemeal—forced drinking, brutal workouts, humiliation, a culture of silence. You feel powerless, angry, and unsure where to turn in Stratford or across the Texas Panhandle.

This is not a hypothetical nightmare. It is a reality facing Texas families right now. In November 2025, our firm, Attorney911, filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and pledge of the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The lawsuit alleges a campaign of degrading humiliation and extreme physical abuse that left Bermudez with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, hospitalized for four days, and at risk of permanent harm.

This case is unfolding in Houston, but its lessons are urgent for every family in Stratford, Sherman County, and the Texas Panhandle. Whether your child attends West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas Tech in Lubbock, or any major university across the state, the systems that failed Bermudez exist everywhere. This guide is for you. We will explain what modern hazing looks like, the Texas laws designed to protect your child, the national patterns of institutional failure, and the legal pathways to accountability. Our goal is to equip you with knowledge and show you that experienced, compassionate legal help is available.

If you are in a crisis right now:

• For immediate medical danger: Call 911.
• For immediate legal guidance: Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, and we provide immediate help.
• In the first 48 hours: Secure medical care. Preserve every piece of evidence—screenshot group chats, photograph injuries, save physical items. Write down everything your child tells you. Do not confront the organization, sign anything from the university, or post details on social media. Contact an experienced hazing attorney to protect your child’s rights and begin a proper investigation before evidence disappears.

Hazing in 2025: It’s More Than “Just Partying”

For parents in Stratford whose college experiences may differ from today’s campus reality, understanding modern hazing is critical. It is no longer just about silly pranks. Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, affiliating with, or maintaining membership in a group, that endangers the student’s mental or physical health or safety. Crucially, under Texas law, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

Today’s hazing often falls into three escalating categories:

1. Subtle Hazing: Behaviors that emphasize power imbalance and create conditions for worse abuse. This includes servitude (24/7 errands, mandatory driving), social isolation, sleep interference, deceptive “scavenger hunts,” and constant digital monitoring via group chats like GroupMe or WhatsApp.

2. Harassment Hazing: Acts that cause emotional or physical discomfort. This involves verbal abuse and threats, sleep deprivation, forced consumption of unpleasant substances (like milk or hot dogs until vomiting), extreme calisthenics framed as “workouts,” and public humiliation, often recorded and shared on social media.

3. Violent Hazing: Activities with a high potential for catastrophic injury or death. This is what we see in the worst cases:

• Forced Alcohol/Drug Consumption: “Big/Little” nights, “Bible study” drinking games, lineups, and coerced ingestion of unknown substances.
• Physical Assault: Paddling, beatings, “glass ceiling” tackling rituals, dangerous physical tests.
• Sexualized Abuse: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault.
• Extreme Environmental Exposure: Being left outdoors in extreme cold or heat, locked in confined spaces.

The Leonel Bermudez case at UH exemplifies this brutal spectrum. The lawsuit details pledges being required to carry a “pledge fanny pack” 24/7 containing condoms, sex toys, and nicotine devices. It describes physical torture: forced sprints, bear crawls, lying in vomit-soaked grass, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and consuming massive quantities of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, only to be forced into more exercise. The culmination was a November 3rd “workout” of over 100 push-ups and 500 squats that led directly to Bermudez’s medical crisis.

The Texas Law & Liability Framework Protecting Your Family

When hazing injures a student from Stratford, several layers of law come into play. Understanding this framework is the first step toward accountability.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F)

Texas has clear statutes that define and criminalize hazing.

• Definition (Sec. 37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership in a group. It can occur on or off campus.
• Criminal Penalties (Sec. 37.152): Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Organizational Liability (Sec. 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.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (Sec. 37.155): The law explicitly states that a victim’s agreement to participate is not a legal defense against hazing charges. This recognizes the coercive power of peer pressure.
• Immunity for Good Faith Reporting (Sec. 37.154): Students who report hazing or call for medical help in good faith are protected from university discipline and some liability, even if they were drinking underage.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (county or district attorney). The goal is punishment—fines, probation, or jail time for individuals. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or even manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by the victim and their family. The goal is compensation for harms and accountability. We sue for damages like medical bills, lost future earnings, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. These cases often target a wider range of defendants and can proceed even without criminal charges.

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

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, universities have a legal duty to investigate and address it under Title IX.
• Clery Act: Requires colleges to report crime statistics, including certain hazing-related assaults.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): A new federal law requiring increased transparency. By 2026, universities must publish more detailed hazing incident reports, which will help families see patterns of misconduct.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Lawsuit?

A thorough investigation aims to identify every entity with responsibility. In a case like Bermudez’s, defendants include:

1. The Individual Perpetrators: The fraternity members who planned, carried out, or covered up the abuse.
2. The Local Chapter: The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter as an entity.
3. The National Organization: Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, which sets policies, collects dues, and supervises chapters.
4. The University: The University of Houston and its Board of Regents, which recognize, host, and are supposed to supervise student organizations.
5. Supporting Entities: The chapter’s housing corporation, alumni advisors, and even the owners of off-campus properties where hazing occurs.

For families in Stratford, this means a hazing case at Texas Tech, for example, could involve defendants in Lubbock, the national fraternity headquarters (which could be in another state), and the Texas Tech University System.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The Bermudez case is tragically part of a national pattern. Understanding these landmark cases shows how systemic the problem is and how the law has responded.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern:

• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A 20-year-old pledge died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. The case resulted in multiple criminal convictions and a $10 million settlement ($7M from the national fraternity, ~$3M from the university).
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died after a “Bible study” drinking game. His death led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, strengthening felony hazing penalties. His family secured a $6.1 million verdict.
• Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother” event, leading to a system-wide Greek life suspension at FSU.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern:

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

The Athletic Hazing Pattern:

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Allegations of widespread sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements, proving hazing is not confined to Greek life.

What This Means for Stratford Families: These cases create legal precedents and show juries the horrific consequences of hazing. They prove that national fraternities are often on notice about dangerous traditions but fail to stamp them out. When the same fraternity (like Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, or Sigma Alpha Epsilon) has a chapter at a Texas school your child attends, that national history becomes directly relevant to your case.

A Texas University Focus: Where Stratford Families Send Their Kids

Parents in Stratford and the Panhandle send their children to universities across Texas. Each campus has its own Greek life ecosystem and history of hazing incidents. We focus on the major hubs and those most relevant to our region.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX)

For many families in Stratford and Sherman County, West Texas A&M is a primary and accessible choice.

• Campus Snapshot: A key university in the Texas A&M System located in the Panhandle. It has an active Greek community with fraternities and sororities contributing to campus life.
• Hazing Policy & Reporting: WTAMU prohibits hazing as defined by Texas law. Reports can be made to the Dean of Students’ Office, University Police, or anonymously through campus hotlines.
• Recent Context: While major publicized incidents may be less frequent than at larger schools, the national patterns of Greek life risk exist everywhere. The university’s location in Randall County means any civil litigation would likely be filed in Randall County courts.
• For WTAMU Families: If an incident occurs, evidence must be preserved immediately. Contacting an attorney who understands both Texas hazing law and the dynamics of Panhandle universities can ensure a proper investigation that looks at chapter conduct, national oversight, and university response.

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)

A major research university and a common destination for Panhandle students seeking a large-school experience.

• Campus Snapshot: Texas Tech has a significant Greek life presence with dozens of fraternity and sorority chapters governed by Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils.
• Documented Incidents: Like all large Greek systems, Texas Tech has faced hazing allegations. Investigations often lead to chapter suspensions or probations. The university maintains conduct records that can be critical in litigation.
• Legal Jurisdiction: A hazing case involving Texas Tech could involve the Lubbock County court system. A lawyer experienced in statewide litigation can navigate this venue effectively.

The Major Statewide Hubs: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, & Baylor

Stratford students also attend universities across Texas. The recent UH case provides a stark example of what can happen.

University of Houston (UH): The site of our active Leonel Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. This case alleges extreme physical hazing that caused kidney failure. The chapter was swiftly suspended and then voted to surrender its charter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” This case is a current, high-stakes example of the institutional fight families face.

Texas A&M University: Has faced serious allegations, including a Sigma Alpha Epsilon lawsuit where pledges alleged being doused in industrial cleaner causing chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The Corps of Cadets has also faced litigation over alleged degrading hazing rituals.

University of Texas at Austin: Maintains a public hazing violations log, providing transparency. It has sanctioned chapters like Pi Kappa Alpha for forced consumption and calisthenics. This public record can be powerful evidence in a civil case.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University: As private institutions, they have faced their own hazing scandals within Greek life and athletic teams, leading to chapter suspensions and lawsuits.

For Stratford Parents: The geographic distance from these schools does not diminish your rights or the liability of those responsible. We serve families across Texas, and the legal principles—and the fight for accountability—are the same.

The Greek Ecosystem: National Organizations with Local Chapters

The fraternities and sororities on Texas campuses are almost always chapters of national organizations. These nationals have vast databases, risk management policies, and—critically—histories of hazing incidents across the country. This history matters in your case.

When a chapter at UT, Texas Tech, or WTAMU repeats a dangerous “tradition” that has killed or injured students at other schools, it demonstrates that the national organization was on notice but failed to prevent it. This is a key part of proving negligence.

For example:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): National history includes the Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green ($10M settlement).
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): One of the most frequently sued fraternities, with incidents involving traumatic brain injury, chemical burns, and assaults nationwide.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): National history includes the Max Gruver death at LSU.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): National history includes the Andrew Coffey death at FSU and is now the subject of our active, high-stakes lawsuit at UH.

Our firm maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records, to understand this ecosystem. For families in Stratford, this means we don’t start from zero. We know how to trace responsibility from the local chapter to the alumni housing corporation to the national headquarters. Here is a snapshot of the kind of data we utilize to build cases:

A Sample of Texas Greek Organization Public Records (Relevant to Panhandle & Statewide Families):

• Frank Heflin Foundation, EIN 20-3507402, Canyon, TX 79015. IRS B83 filing connected to Phi Delta Theta alumni.
• Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter, Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M University chapter). Cause IQ Metro listing.
• Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association, EIN 752290669, Amarillo, TX 79118. IRS B83 housing corporation.
• Phi Delta Theta Fraternity – Texas Theta, Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M chapter). Cause IQ Metro listing.
• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, EIN 742911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244. IRS B83 filing.
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – TTU Health Sciences Center, EIN 820644459, Lubbock, TX 79430. IRS B83 filing.

These entities, and over 1,400 others we track across Texas, often hold insurance policies, own property, and share responsibility. Identifying them all is a crucial step in securing full accountability for families.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

If your family is facing this crisis, understanding the legal process can reduce fear and empower action. Our approach is built on investigation, evidence, and experienced strategy.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

Modern hazing leaves a digital trail. Preserving it is the most important step.

1. Digital Communications: Screenshot every GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram DM, and Snapchat conversation related to the incident. Include timestamps and sender names. Do not delete anything.
2. Photos & Videos: Secure any media from the event—photos of injuries, videos of acts, social media stories. These are often posted by participants themselves.
3. Medical Records: Obtain all ER, hospital, and follow-up records. Ensure the doctor notes the cause (e.g., “patient reports injury from forced fraternity calisthenics”).
4. Physical Evidence: Save clothing, paddles, “pledge packs,” or any objects used.
5. Witness Information: Document names and contact info for other pledges, members, or bystanders.
6. University & National Records: Through the legal process, we can subpoena the chapter’s internal files, the national’s prior incident reports, and the university’s disciplinary history for the organization.

Recoverable Damages for Victims and Families

The law allows families to seek compensation for the profound harms caused by hazing.

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, costs of psychological care, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, and PTSD.
• Wrongful Death Damages (in fatalities): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of love, companionship, and guidance for the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or malicious conduct, courts can award damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter future behavior.

The Attorney911 Difference in Hazing Litigation

We are not a general personal injury firm that occasionally handles hazing. We are complex litigation specialists who apply deep institutional knowledge to these exact cases.

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as an insurance defense lawyer for national firms. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, and minimize your claim. We know their playbook.
• Experience Against Giants: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas lawyers involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by billion-dollar corporations, national fraternities, or university legal teams. We’ve faced them before.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Insight: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can advise on all aspects of the legal battlefield.
• Investigative Resources: We have a network of experts—medical specialists, digital forensics analysts, economists, and life-care planners—to build an undeniable case.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.

A Practical Guide for Stratford Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: Warning Signs and Immediate Steps

Warning Signs: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, personality changes (anxiety, withdrawal), secretive phone use, constant fear of missing “mandatory” events, sudden requests for money, and dropping grades.

What to Do:

1. Talk to Your Child: Approach with care, not accusation. Say, “I’m worried about you. Is there anything happening that feels unsafe or forced?”
2. Prioritize Medical Care: Get a full medical evaluation. Health comes first.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot and back up all digital evidence. Photograph injuries.
4. Document Everything: Write down what you’re told with dates and names.
5. Contact a Lawyer Early: Before reporting to the university or police, speak with an experienced hazing attorney. We can guide you on protecting evidence and navigating the system to avoid common pitfalls.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition is worth your life or health.
• “Consent” is Not a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card for Them: Texas law protects you even if you felt pressured to agree.
• How to Exit Safely: You can resign at any time. Send a clear text or email: “I resign my membership/pledgeship effective immediately.” Tell a trusted adult first. Do not go to a “final meeting.”
• Report Safely: You can report to the Dean of Students, campus police, or anonymously through the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Good faith reporters have protections.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Do not let your child “clean up” their phone. Those messages are proof.
2. Confronting the Fraternity First: This triggers their defense lawyers and leads to evidence destruction.
3. Signing University Papers: Do not sign any settlement, release, or “resolution” agreement from the university without an attorney.
4. Posting on Social Media: Public posts can be used against you. Keep details private.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and statutes of limitation run out. Act decisively.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can we sue a university in Texas? Yes. While public universities have some legal protections, lawsuits for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and against individual employees are possible. Every case is different.
• How long do we have to file a lawsuit? Generally, two years from the date of injury in Texas, but exceptions exist. Do not wait.
• Will our name be public? Most cases settle confidentially. We will always fight to protect your family’s privacy.
• How much does it cost? We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs or hourly fees. We only get paid if we win your case.

Why Attorney911 is the Right Choice for Texas Hazing Victims

For families in Stratford, Dalhart, Texline, and across the Panhandle facing the nightmare of hazing, you need advocates who understand the full scope of the fight. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) brings a unique combination of compassion, tenacity, and proven skill to these devastating cases.

We are currently leading the charge in one of Texas’s most serious hazing lawsuits—the $10 million case for Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We are in the courtroom now, facing the same types of institutional defendants you may be up against. We are not theorizing about hazing law; we are actively practicing it at the highest level.

Our “Legal Emergency Lawyers™” promise means we provide immediate, aggressive, and professional help when you need it most. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Stratford and the Panhandle. We understand the specific concerns of sending a child from our tight-knit communities to a large university, and we are committed to fighting for the justice and accountability your family deserves.

If hazing has hurt your child, you do not have to navigate this alone. Contact us for a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation.

Call Attorney911 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com
Se habla Español.

We will listen to your story, review your evidence, explain your legal options in clear terms, and help you make the best decision for your family’s future. The call is free. The advice is expert. The time to act is now.

Legal Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. The outcome of any legal matter depends on the specific facts and circumstances. We encourage you to seek counsel from a qualified attorney for advice on your specific situation. The information is current as of late 2025.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911)
Houston | Austin | Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 | Website: https://attorney911.com