Hazing at Texas Campuses: A Complete Legal Guide for Huntsville, Walker County & SHSU Families
If you are a parent in Huntsville, Walker County, or anywhere in East Texas, and your child is part of a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or campus organization at Sam Houston State University or another Texas school, this is written for you. The nightmare begins subtly: your student seems exhausted, evasive, or suddenly fixated on their phone. It escalates to unexplained injuries, frantic late-night calls, or a hospital visit you never imagined. Hazing isn’t a relic of the past; it is a present, brutal reality on campuses nationwide, and Texas is no exception. Right now, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the state, representing Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This case is a stark warning that no family is immune.
This guide is a comprehensive resource for Huntsville and Walker County families to understand the modern face of hazing, the legal landscape in Texas, and the very real recourse available when traditions turn to tragedy. If you believe your child is being hazed or has been injured, you are not alone. We are Attorney911, and we help Texas families navigate these crises every day.
IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES
- If Your Child Is In Danger RIGHT NOW:
- Call 911 for any medical emergency.
- Then call us: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.
- In the First 48 Hours:
- Get Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) can be fatal and require immediate diagnosis.
- Preserve Evidence: Screenshot ALL group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, texts), photograph injuries from multiple angles, and save any physical objects involved.
- Document Everything: Write down names, dates, locations, and what your child tells you while memories are fresh.
- DO NOT:
- Confront the fraternity, sorority, or university directly.
- Let your child delete messages or “clean up” their phone.
- Sign anything from the school or any insurance company.
- Post details on public social media.
- Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence vanishes quickly. Universities and national organizations move faster than families. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, immediate, and confidential consultation.
A Modern Definition of Hazing
Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of joining, affiliating with, or maintaining membership in any organization. It’s critical for Huntsville families to understand that under Texas law, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense. The power imbalance, peer pressure, and fear of exclusion inherent in these situations mean true, voluntary consent does not exist. Modern hazing has evolved beyond stereotypes into several dangerous categories:
- Alcohol & Substance Hazing: Forced consumption of alcohol via “family trees,” “Big/Little” nights, or drinking games. Coerced use of drugs or unknown substances.
- Physical Hazing: Paddling, beatings, “smokings” (extreme calisthenics), sleep and food deprivation, and exposure to extreme elements.
- Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and acts involving racial or sexist overtones.
- Psychological & Digital Hazing: Verbal abuse, isolation, threats, and public shaming via 24/7 group chat monitoring, coerced social media posts, and geo-tracking.
Hazing permeates many groups: Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic sororities, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations, multicultural Greek groups, Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, spirit groups like the Texas A&M Corps or SHSU’s Orange Keys, and marching bands. The common threads are secrecy, tradition, and an abuse of power.
Texas Hazing Law & Liability Framework
For Huntsville families, the legal playing field is defined by Texas law and relevant federal statutes. Understanding this framework is the first step toward accountability.
Texas Education Code, Chapter 37 (Hazing):
Texas has a robust anti-hazing statute. Key provisions every Walker County parent should know include:
- Definition (§37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for purposes of initiation or affiliation.
- Criminal Penalties (§37.152):
- Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
- Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes bodily injury.
- State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
- Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or knowingly allowed the hazing.
- Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This is crucial. Even if your child “went along with it,” the perpetrators can still be held criminally and civilly liable.
- Immunity for Good Faith Reporting (§37.154): Individuals who report hazing or call for medical help in good faith are generally protected from prosecution.
Civil vs. Criminal Cases:
- Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (e.g., Walker County District Attorney, Harris County DA) to punish offenders with jail, fines, or probation.
- Civil Cases: Brought by victims and families to obtain compensation for damages and hold all responsible parties accountable. These cases can proceed independently of, or alongside, criminal charges. Our focus at Attorney911 is on civil litigation to secure justice and compensation for families.
Federal Law Overlay:
- Title IX: Applies if hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based discrimination. Universities receiving federal funds must respond promptly and equitably.
- The Clery Act: Requires universities to disclose campus crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults.
- Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires increased transparency and public reporting of hazing incidents at federally funded institutions, with provisions phasing in by 2026.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Lawsuit?
A comprehensive legal strategy looks at the entire chain of responsibility, which may include:
- The Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
- The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, for fostering a culture that allowed hazing.
- The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: For negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and ignoring known patterns of abuse across chapters.
- The University (e.g., SHSU, UH, Texas A&M): For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX violations.
- Housing Corporations & Landlords: For allowing dangerous activities on premises they control.
- Third Parties: Bars or alcohol providers under dram shop laws.
National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Predict Tragedy
The hazing incident at Sam Houston State University or any other Texas campus does not happen in a vacuum. It follows national patterns that have led to death, catastrophic injury, and landmark lawsuits. These cases provide the precedent and the painful proof of foreseeability.
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The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern:
- Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injury after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking. His death, captured on chapter house cameras, led to the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania.
- Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died of alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game. Louisiana responded with the Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute.
- Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. His family secured a $10 million settlement ($7M from the national fraternity, ~$3M from the university).
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The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern:
- Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from brain injuries during a violent, blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for a decade.
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The Catastrophic Injury Pattern:
- Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, severe brain damage after a “pledge dad” drinking event. His family has reached multiple confidential settlements with over 20 defendants for what will be a lifetime of 24/7 care.
These national tragedies show the deadly scripts that are replicated on Texas campuses. When a Texas fraternity engages in forced drinking, it is following the same pattern that killed Stone Foltz and Max Gruver. This pattern evidence is powerful in court, proving that the risks were known and preventable.
Texas Universities: A Focus for Huntsville & Walker County Families
Parents in Huntsville often have children at Sam Houston State University right here in Walker County, as well as at major hubs across Texas like Texas A&M, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Houston. Each campus has its own Greek ecosystem and history with hazing.
Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, Walker County)
- Campus Snapshot: SHSU is a cornerstone of the Huntsville community. Its Greek life includes Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities, Panhellenic sororities, and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) chapters. Like many campuses, it balances a rich tradition of student organizations with the ongoing challenge of preventing abuse within them.
- Hazing Policy & Reporting: SHSU strictly prohibits hazing and provides reporting channels through the Dean of Students’ Office, University Police Department (SHSU PD), and an online reporting form. The university is obligated to investigate under Texas law and its own student code of conduct.
- Local Legal Jurisdiction: Incidents occurring in Huntsville or on SHSU property fall under the jurisdiction of the Huntsville Police Department, Walker County Sheriff’s Office, or SHSU PD. Civil lawsuits could be filed in Walker County courts. As Huntsville-based counsel with statewide reach, we understand these local legal venues.
- Action for SHSU Families: If hazing involves an SHSU student or organization, report immediately to the SHSU Dean of Students. Preserve all evidence digitally and physically. Contact a lawyer who understands both Texas hazing law and the local Walker County legal landscape.
University of Houston – The Flagship Case in Our Backyard
- Campus Snapshot: A major urban university with a large, active Greek system. UH is the setting for our firm’s active, high-stakes litigation that exemplifies the severity of modern hazing.
- The Leonel Bermudez Case: In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. As reported by Click2Houston and ABC13, Bermudez’s Fall 2025 pledge period involved:
- A “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms, a sex toy, and nicotine devices, required 24/7.
- Enforced dress codes, mandatory interviews, and overnight chauffeuring duties.
- Extreme physical hazing: sprints, bear crawls, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” lying in vomit-soaked grass, forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.
- The Nov. 3 workout: over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.
- Medical Catastrophe: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passed brown urine, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels, risking permanent kidney damage.
- Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the chapter on Nov. 6, 2025. Members voted to surrender their charter on Nov. 14, shutting the chapter down. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” This case is not history; it is live litigation we are managing right now, demonstrating our firm’s active role in holding Texas institutions accountable.
Texas A&M University (College Station)
- Campus Snapshot: Home to a massive Greek system and the renowned Corps of Cadets, where tradition runs deep. This environment can, at times, foster dangerous hazing rituals under the guise of “building discipline.”
- Documented Incidents:
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged substances, including industrial-strength cleaner, were poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. A lawsuit sought $1 million.
- Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. The case sought over $1 million in damages.
- Considerations for Families: Hazing at A&M can involve both Greek life and the Corps. Investigations may involve Texas A&M University Police, the Bryan/College Station PD, and Brazos County courts. The university’s immense institutional pride can sometimes complicate internal reporting.
University of Texas at Austin
- Campus Snapshot: UT Austin hosts one of the largest and most transparent Greek life systems in Texas, publicly posting hazing violations—a resource for families and attorneys.
- Public Hazing Violations: UT’s online log reveals recurring issues:
- Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, resulting in probation.
- Various fraternities and spirit groups have been sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, and psychological abuse.
- Legal Advantage: This public record is a powerful tool. It establishes a pattern and prior knowledge, which can significantly strengthen a civil case against both the chapter and the university for negligent supervision.
Southern Methodist University & Baylor University
- SMU & Baylor: As prominent private universities with strong Greek life, hazing incidents often result in internal discipline. However, private status does not shield them from civil liability. Lawsuits can compel discovery of internal reports and club records that are not publicly available, uncovering systemic failures.
Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories & Local Chapters
The fraternity chapter at SHSU or Texas A&M is not an island. It is part of a national organization with a history, a brand, and—often—a documented pattern of hazing incidents across the country. This is where our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine becomes a critical investigative asset for Huntsville families.
Our firm maintains a proprietary database built from public records, including IRS filings (B83 organizations), university rosters, and commercial data, tracking over 1,400 Greek-related entities across 25 Texas metros. This means we don’t start from scratch when investigating your case. We already know how to identify the legal entities behind the letters.
Why National Histories Matter in Court:
If a Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) chapter at a Texas school engages in forced drinking, that conduct is not an isolated “mistake.” It is part of a national pattern that SAE headquarters has known about for years, a pattern that has led to deaths like that of Carson Starkey at Cal Poly in 2008. This “foreseeability” is a core element of negligence. We use this pattern evidence to show that the national organization failed to take adequate steps to prevent a known and deadly risk.
A Sample of Our Texas Public Records Insight:
To illustrate the depth of our research, here are examples of Greek organizations recorded in public filings that are connected to campuses relevant to Texas families:
- Texas A&M University-Related:
- Gentlemen of Aggie Tradition, EIN 880537463, College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 filing)
- Texas Nu-Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, EIN 814123811, College Station, TX 77840 (IRS B83 filing)
- Sigma Chi Fraternity – Eta Upsilon Chapter, College Station, TX (Cause IQ: College Station-Bryan Metro)
- University of Houston-Related:
- Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing)
- Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing)
- Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Houston, TX (Cause IQ: Houston Metro)
- Statewide & Honor Societies:
- Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas A&M University Chapter, EIN 900293166, College Station, TX 77843 (IRS B83 filing)
- Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – University of Texas at Tyler Chapter, EIN 352335400, Tyler, TX 75799 (IRS B83 filing)
This is just a fraction of the data we use to map the ecosystem of responsibility. When we take a case, we identify every potential defendant—from the local chapter and its officers to the national housing corporation, alumni foundation, and insurance carriers. This comprehensive approach is how we maximize accountability and recovery for families.
Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages & Our Strategy
Winning a hazing case requires converting a traumatic experience into a legally compelling narrative. Our strategy is built on exhaustive investigation, a deep understanding of institutional defendants, and a commitment to securing full accountability.
Critical Evidence We Pursue:
- Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram DMs, and Discord logs. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages.
- Photos & Videos: Content shot by members during events, social media posts, and surveillance footage from houses or nearby businesses.
- Internal Organization Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” scripts, emails between chapter officers, and communication with national headquarters.
- University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same organization, obtained through discovery or public records requests. SHSU, UH, Texas A&M, and UT all maintain these records.
- Medical & Psychological Records: Documentation of physical injuries (ER reports, lab tests for rhabdomyolysis) and psychological harm (PTSD, anxiety, depression diagnoses).
- Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and advisors. We know how to work with witnesses who may be fearful or conflicted.
Types of Damages We Seek to Recover:
- Economic Damages: All medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, costs of psychological counseling, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
- Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, humiliation, trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful Death Damages (in fatalities): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and guidance for the family.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious, reckless conduct, we seek damages intended to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing.
Our Firm’s Unique Advantages:
- Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, fight coverage, and employ delay tactics. We use this insider knowledge to counter their strategies from day one. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.
- Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, facing down billion-dollar defendants. We are not intimidated by the deep pockets of national fraternities or major universities.
- Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: 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 effectively advise families and witnesses navigating both systems.
- Comprehensive Investigation: We activate a network of experts—medical specialists, economists, life care planners, and digital forensics professionals—to build an irrefutable case.
Practical Guides for Parents, Students & Witnesses
FOR HUNTSVILLE PARENTS – Warning Signs & Immediate Actions:
- Recognize the Red Flags: Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns), extreme fatigue, drastic weight change, withdrawal from family/friends, obsessive phone use for group chats, anxiety about missing “mandatory” events, and sudden secrecy about organization activities.
- Start the Conversation: Ask open, non-judgmental questions. “How are things really going with your fraternity/sorority/team? Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?” Emphasize that their safety is more important than any membership.
- If Injury Occurs – ACT:
- Seek Medical Care Immediately. Mention “hazing” to the doctors so it enters the medical record.
- Preserve Evidence. Use your phone to photograph injuries. Have your child screenshot ALL relevant group chats. Our video on using your phone to document evidence explains best practices.
- Document. Write down everything your child says, including names, dates, and locations.
- Contact Us. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before reporting to the university or police, so we can help you navigate the process strategically.
- Avoid Critical Mistakes: Do not let your child delete messages. Do not confront the organization directly. Do not sign any agreements from the university without an attorney’s review. Do not post details on social media.
FOR STUDENTS – Your Safety & Rights:
- Trust Your Instincts: If it feels dangerous, humiliating, or coerced, it is hazing.
- You Have the Right to Leave: Your safety is paramount. You can resign your pledge or membership at any time via email.
- Report Safely: You can report anonymously through university channels or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Texas law offers protections for good-faith reporters.
- Preserve Evidence: Screenshot everything. Take photos. Save texts. This protects you and helps hold abusers accountable.
FOR WITNESSES OR FORMER MEMBERS:
We understand the complexity of your position—guilt, fear, loyalty. Coming forward can prevent future harm. We can help you understand your legal options and protections, whether you need to secure your own counsel or provide truthful testimony.
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case in Huntsville & Across Texas
When your family is in crisis, you need advocates who combine relentless legal skill with genuine compassion. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), we are not just personal injury lawyers; we are specialized litigators who understand the unique challenges of hazing cases against powerful institutions. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas, including right here in Huntsville and throughout Walker County.
We are currently fighting the Leonel Bermudez vs. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case, a $10 million lawsuit that exemplifies the severe physical and psychological damage hazing causes. We are fluent in the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine data that maps Greek life liability. We have the insurance insider expertise to fight back when carriers deny claims. We have the complex litigation background to stand up to national fraternities and university legal teams.
Our mission is to secure not only compensation for your family’s profound losses but also accountability and change to prevent the next tragedy. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fee unless we win your case. You can watch our video explaining how contingency fees work for more information.
Time is of the essence. Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and statutes of limitations run. The window to take decisive action is short.
Contact Attorney911 for a Free, Confidential Consultation
If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends SHSU in Huntsville, Texas A&M, UT Austin, UH, or any other Texas campus—we are here to help you understand your rights and options.
Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for an immediate, confidential, and no-obligation consultation. You can also reach us directly at (713) 528-9070 or via email at ralph@atty911.com.
Hablamos Español. For Spanish-speaking families, contact Mr. Lupe Peña directly at lupe@atty911.com.
During your free consultation, we will:
- Listen carefully to your story.
- Review any evidence you have gathered.
- Explain the legal framework and your potential claims.
- Outline a strategic path forward.
- Answer all your questions about the process, timeline, and costs.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Let us use our experience, resources, and determination to fight for your family’s justice and recovery.
Visit our website at https://attorney911.com to learn more about our firm, our attorneys, and our commitment to holding powerful institutions accountable.
Legal Disclaimer
This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case depends on specific facts and circumstances. Hazing laws and university policies are subject to change. If you believe you or your child has been a victim of hazing, we strongly urge you to consult promptly with a qualified attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.
The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston | Austin | Beaumont
1-888-ATTY-911 | (713) 528-9070
https://attorney911.com
