A Comprehensive Guide to Hazing Laws, Cases, and Accountability for Families in Aspermont, Texas

For parents in Aspermont and across Stonewall County, the dream of sending your child off to a Texas university can turn to nightmare in an instant. Imagine this: your son, excited to join a fraternity at Texas Tech University, attends an off-campus “Big Brother” event. What starts as camaraderie spirals into coercion—forced to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol, subjected to humiliating acts, and pushed through extreme physical exertion until his body begins to fail. Days later, he’s hospitalized with life-threatening kidney failure, his college career shattered, his health permanently compromised. This isn’t a hypothetical; it’s exactly what happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston in late 2025, and it’s a reality that can touch any Texas family, including those right here in Aspermont.

This guide is for you—Aspermont families navigating the complex, frightening world of campus hazing. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like today, how Texas law protects your child, and what major cases at universities like Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and UT Austin mean for your family’s rights. We’ll provide actionable steps for protecting your student and holding powerful institutions accountable.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

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
• 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
• 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

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypes of harmless pranks. For Aspermont families, understanding these modern forms is crucial to recognizing danger.

Modern Hazing Definition

Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—whether on or off campus—that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for purposes of joining, maintaining membership, or gaining status in any organization. Crucially, “I agreed to it” is not a defense under Texas law when power imbalance and peer pressure exist.

Main Categories of Hazing

Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the deadliest form. At Texas Tech and other West Texas schools, this includes “lineup” drinking games, forced chugging competitions, and “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed immediately by sprints.

Physical Hazing: Beyond paddling, this now includes extreme “workouts” disguised as conditioning. At Texas A&M, we’ve seen cases where pledges endured chemical burns from industrial-strength cleaners. The Bermudez case involved 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, bear crawls, and being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”

Psychological and Digital Hazing: This is particularly insidious for students from close-knit communities like Aspermont. It includes 24/7 group chat monitoring, sleep deprivation via constant phone alerts, social media humiliation through forced TikTok challenges, and geographic tracking via apps like Find My Friends.

Sexualized Hazing: This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, and degrading positions. The recent Northwestern University athletic scandal showed this extends beyond Greek life into sports programs.

Where Hazing Happens

While fraternities and sororities dominate headlines, hazing occurs in:

• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs
• Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball)
• Spirit groups and tradition organizations
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Some academic and cultural organizations

For Aspermont students attending Texas Tech, this means vigilance must extend beyond Greek life registration.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal Protections

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas has strong anti-hazing statutes that Aspermont families should understand:

Definition (Section 37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers mental or physical health for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or membership maintenance.

Criminal Penalties (Section 37.152):

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing without serious injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

Critical Protections for Aspermont Families:

• Consent is NOT a defense (Section 37.155): Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing
• Good-Faith Reporting Immunity (Section 37.154): Those who report hazing in good faith are protected from liability
• Organizational Liability (Section 37.153): Fraternities, sororities, and universities can face fines up to $10,000 per violation

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (district attorney). Focus is punishment—jail time, fines, probation. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, 13 individual members face potential criminal charges alongside the organizational defendants.

Civil Cases: Brought by victims and families. Focus is compensation and accountability. The Bermudez family is seeking over $10 million for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and to hold UH and Pi Kappa Phi accountable.

These cases can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required for a successful civil case.

Federal Law Overlay

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires universities receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs by 2026.

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, Title IX requires universities to investigate and address the climate.

Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes, including assaults that often accompany hazing incidents.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Aspermont Families

The tragedies at other universities directly inform what Texas families can expect in litigation and prevention.

Alcohol Poisoning Death Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night; died from alcohol poisoning. Result: $10 million settlement ($7M from national fraternity, $3M from university).

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Died during “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. Result: Louisiana passed the Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony.

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Bid acceptance night with extreme drinking; fatal falls captured on chapter cameras; delayed medical care. Result: Dozens of criminal convictions and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Blinded, weighted with backpack, and repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual at remote retreat; died from traumatic brain injury. Result: National fraternity criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Systemic sexualized and racist hazing within the football program. Result: Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired, confidential settlements.

What These Cases Mean for Aspermont Families

These national precedents show that:

• Juries award substantial verdicts ($6.1M for Gruver, $12.6M in the Chad Meredith case against Kappa Sigma)
• Universities often settle to avoid publicity (BGSU paid $3M)
• National fraternities face massive liability when patterns emerge
• State legislatures respond to tragedies with stronger laws

Texas University Focus: Where Aspermont Students Attend

Texas Tech University – Lubbock, TX

For Aspermont Families: Many Stonewall County students choose Texas Tech for its proximity and strong programs. The drive up Highway 83 connects our communities directly to Lubbock’s campus life.

Campus Culture: Texas Tech hosts a significant Greek community alongside its proud non-Greek traditions. The university’s size means hazing can occur in multiple organization types.

Documented Incidents: Texas Tech has faced hazing allegations in fraternities and athletic programs. The university maintains disciplinary records that can be crucial in civil cases.

Hazing Policy & Reporting: Texas Tech prohibits hazing both on and off campus. Reporting channels include the Office of Student Conduct, the Dean of Students, and Texas Tech Police.

How Cases Proceed: Hazing incidents may involve Lubbock Police Department alongside campus authorities. Civil suits would typically be filed in Lubbock County courts.

What Aspermont Families Should Do:

1. Document all communications with Texas Tech administrators
2. Request prior disciplinary records for the involved organization
3. Understand that geographic proximity means we can efficiently investigate Tech cases
4. Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for Texas Tech-specific guidance

Other Major Texas Universities

While Texas Tech may be the closest major university, Aspermont families send students statewide:

University of Houston: Home to the active Leonel Bermudez case against Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This $10 million lawsuit alleges severe physical abuse leading to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. UH has suspended chapters for hazing violations.

Texas A&M University: Has faced significant cases including Sigma Alpha Epsilon chemical burns allegations and Corps of Cadets “roasted pig” binding incidents. A&M’s size and tradition-heavy culture require particular vigilance.

University of Texas at Austin: Maintains a public hazing violations log showing repeated sanctions against organizations like Pi Kappa Alpha for forced calisthenics and alcohol hazing.

Baylor University: Has confronted hazing in its baseball program and continues to address cultural challenges following prior institutional scandals.

Fraternities and Sororities: National Histories That Matter in Texas

For Aspermont families, understanding that local chapters are part of national organizations is crucial. These nationals have documented hazing patterns that create legal liability.

Why National Histories Matter

When a Texas Tech fraternity repeats the same dangerous “tradition” that caused a death at Bowling Green, that pattern shows foreseeability—the national organization knew or should have known this could happen. This is critical for establishing negligence.

National Organizations Present at Texas Universities

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): The national organization paid $7 million in the Stone Foltz settlement. Their “Big/Little” drinking tradition has caused multiple deaths nationwide.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Has faced lawsuits nationwide, including a traumatic brain injury case at University of Alabama and chemical burn allegations at Texas A&M.

Pi Kappa Phi: The national organization is a defendant in the Leonel Bermudez UH lawsuit and faced litigation after Andrew Coffey’s death at Florida State.

Phi Delta Theta: The Louisiana chapter where Max Gruver died resulted in felony hazing legislation and multi-million dollar verdicts.

Kappa Sigma: Subject of a $12.6 million verdict in the Chad Meredith drowning case and ongoing litigation at Texas A&M.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Our Investigative Advantage

At Attorney911, we maintain what we call our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive database of Greek organizations across Texas. This isn’t theoretical; it’s built from public records that help us identify every potentially liable entity.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Aspermont Families

For Aspermont families, understanding the organizational landscape is crucial. Here are examples of Texas-registered Greek entities we track:

Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity
EIN: 74-2911848 | Fort Worth, TX 76244
Cause IQ Metro Listing: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro

Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc
EIN: 74-1380362 | Fort Worth, TX 76147
Cause IQ Metro Listing: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro

Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity
EIN: 74-6064445 | Nederland, TX 77627
Cause IQ Metro Listing: Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority
EIN: 36-4091267 | Waco, TX 76710
IRS B83 & Cause IQ Metro Match: Multiple Texas metros

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
EIN: 26-3170920 | Denton, TX 76204
Multiple campus chapters across Texas universities

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
EIN: 23-7279532 | Prairie View, TX 77446
Multiple Texas alumni and undergraduate chapters

This directory represents just a fraction of the 1,423 Greek-related organizations we track across 25 Texas metros. For Aspermont families, this means we already know the legal names, EINs, and mailing addresses of organizations that may hold insurance coverage and liability when hazing occurs.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

Digital Communications: GroupMe chats are the #1 evidence source in today’s hazing cases. We recover deleted messages showing planning, intimidation, and cover-ups. In the UH case, digital evidence documented the “pledge fanny pack” rules and exercise demands.

Medical Documentation: This isn’t just about treatment records. It’s about connecting the injury directly to hazing. In Bermudez’s case, hospital records showing critically elevated creatine kinase levels (over 27,000) proved the rhabdomyolysis resulted from forced exercise, not ordinary activity.

University Records: Through discovery, we obtain prior incident reports, disciplinary actions, and internal emails showing what the university knew about dangerous patterns.

Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, and sometimes sympathetic current members provide crucial accounts. We protect witnesses from retaliation while gathering their statements.

Categories of Recoverable Damages

Economic Damages:

• Medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing care)
• Future medical needs (for permanent injuries like kidney damage or PTSD treatment)
• Lost educational costs (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
• Diminished earning capacity (for career-impacting injuries)

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship and support
• Emotional suffering of family members

Overcoming Common Defense Strategies

When we take hazing cases, we expect certain defenses and prepare accordingly:

Defense: “The Pledge Consented”
Our Response: Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense. We show coercion through group chat evidence and expert testimony about power dynamics.

Defense: “This Was a Rogue Chapter”
Our Response: We subpoena national fraternity records showing prior similar incidents at other chapters, proving pattern and foreseeability.

Defense: “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts”
Our Response: We argue negligent supervision—even if hazing was intentional, the national or university’s failure to prevent it was negligent and covered.

Defense: “The University Has Sovereign Immunity”
Our Response: We pursue exceptions for gross negligence and sue individual employees in their personal capacity. Public universities like Texas Tech often settle despite potential immunity arguments.

Practical Guides and FAQs for Aspermont Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries or frequent “accidents”
• Extreme exhaustion disproportionate to academic load
• Sudden personality changes: anxiety, withdrawal, defensiveness
• Constant phone monitoring for group chat messages
• Financial strain from unexpected “fines” or purchases
• Missing classes or declining grades due to “mandatory” events

How to Talk to Your Child:

1. Choose a private, calm setting
2. Use open-ended questions: “How are things really going with [organization]?”
3. Express concern without judgment: “I’m worried about how tired you seem”
4. Emphasize safety over status: “Your health matters more than any group”
5. Assure support: “We’ll figure this out together, no matter what”

If You Discover Hazing:

1. Medical First: Get immediate care even if injuries seem minor
2. Document Everything: Photograph injuries, screenshot messages, write detailed notes
3. Secure Evidence: Preserve clothing, objects, receipts related to the hazing
4. Contact an Attorney: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before reporting to understand your options
5. Avoid Common Mistakes: Don’t confront the organization, don’t sign university agreements without review, don’t post on social media

For Students: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

• Would I do this if I truly had a free choice?
• Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Am I being told to keep secrets from the university or my family?
• Are older members making me do things they don’t have to do?

How to Exit Safely:

1. Tell someone you trust outside the organization first
2. Send a clear resignation message: “I am resigning my membership effective immediately”
3. Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
4. Document any threats or harassment that follows
5. Report retaliation to campus authorities and your attorney

Critical Evidence Collection Steps:

1. Screenshot everything—group chats, DMs, social media posts
2. Photograph injuries immediately and over several days to show progression
3. Voice record conversations (Texas is a one-party consent state)
4. Save physical items—don’t wash clothing with stains, preserve objects used
5. Get medical documentation and tell providers you were hazed

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?
Yes. While public universities have some sovereign immunity protections, exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals personally. Private universities like Baylor and SMU have fewer immunity barriers.

Is hazing a felony in Texas?
Yes, when it causes serious bodily injury or death. Texas Education Code Section 37.152 makes hazing a state jail felony in these circumstances.

What if the hazing happened off-campus?
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national organizations can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. The Pi Delta Psi case that resulted in a death occurred at a remote retreat and still led to criminal convictions.

How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
Generally two years from the date of injury in Texas, but the discovery rule may extend this if the harm wasn’t immediately apparent. Evidence disappears quickly, so immediate action is crucial.

Will my child’s name be public?
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

Why Attorney911 for Aspermont Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how universities and national fraternities fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, use delay tactics, and fight coverage. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation proves we can take on billion-dollar defendants. We’re not intimidated by national fraternities with unlimited legal budgets. We’ve faced massive corporations and won.

Texas-Specific Expertise: With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we understand Texas courts, Texas laws, and Texas university systems intimately. We know how Texas Tech, A&M, UT, and other schools operate.

Multi-Million Dollar Results: We have recovered millions for clients in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with economists, life care planners, and medical experts to build cases that force serious settlements.

Criminal + Civil Capability: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association means we understand both sides of hazing cases. We can advise on criminal exposure while pursuing civil accountability.

Investigative Depth: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across Texas. We know how to find the entities behind the letters—the house corporations, alumni associations, and national headquarters that hold insurance and liability.

Call to Action for Aspermont Families

If your child has experienced hazing at Texas Tech, any Texas university, or any campus nationwide, we want to hear from you. Families here in Aspermont and throughout Stonewall County have the right to answers, accountability, and justice.

Your Confidential Consultation

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward for your family.

What to expect:

• We’ll listen to your story without judgment
• Review any evidence you’ve preserved
• Explain the legal landscape in plain English
• Discuss realistic timelines and outcomes
• Answer questions about costs (we work on contingency—no fee unless we win)
• No pressure to hire us immediately

Contact Information

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Lupe Peña)

Spanish-Language Services Available:
Hablamos Español. Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish.

Aspermont-Specific Considerations

For our neighbors here in Stonewall County:

• We understand the values that matter in our community—family, integrity, accountability
• You’re not just another case number; you’re our neighbors
• We know the practical realities of pursuing justice while protecting your child’s future
• Our experience with Texas Tech and other regional universities means we understand your specific situation

Whether the hazing occurred at Texas Tech just up the road or at a campus across the state, you don’t have to face this alone. The same national organizations, the same insurance tactics, the same institutional cover-ups exist everywhere. We’ve built our practice on uncovering truth and forcing accountability.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s discuss how we can help your family find the answers and justice you deserve.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit:

• Click2Houston report: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website: https://attorney911.com

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)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com