The Complete Guide to Hazing for Azle Families: Understanding Texas Law, University Accountability, and Your Legal Rights

For Families in Azle, TX: When Your College Student Faces Hazing

The phone rings at 2:13 AM. Your student, who you dropped off at their Texas university just weeks ago, is on the other end. Their voice is shaky, their words are slurred. Between sobs, you hear about a “pledge event” that went too far—forced drinking, humiliating acts, and pressure to stay silent. For families in Azle, Mansfield, Weatherford, and across Tarrant County, this nightmare scenario becomes reality more often than you’d think.

Right now, in Houston, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders. His fall 2025 pledge experience allegedly included carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7, enduring hours of physical abuse at Yellowstone Boulevard Park, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting. The result? Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and a four-day hospitalization—all because he wanted to join a fraternity.

This guide exists because what happened to Leonel Bermudez could happen to any Texas student. For parents in Azle, Springtown, and throughout Tarrant County who send their children to universities across our state, understanding hazing—what it looks like in 2025, what the law says, and what you can do—isn’t just academic. It’s essential protection for your family.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES IN AZLE, TX:

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

  • Call 911 for medical emergencies
  • Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
  • We provide immediate help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

• In the first 48 hours:

  • Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
    • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
    • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
    • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
  • Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
  • Do NOT:
    • Confront the fraternity/sorority
    • Sign anything from the university or insurance company
    • Post details on public social media
    • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

• Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

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

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Texas Students

Hazing isn’t just paddling and “hell week” anymore. It has evolved into a sophisticated system of control that blends physical danger with psychological pressure and digital monitoring. For Azle families with students at Texas A&M, UT Austin, UH, or any of our state’s universities, understanding these modern methods is the first step in recognition and protection.

A Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

Under Texas law, hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health or safety for the purpose of joining, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization. Crucially, “I agreed to it” is not a defense in Texas. The law recognizes that power imbalances, peer pressure, and fear of exclusion negate true consent.

The Main Categories of Modern Hazing

Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadliest form. It includes forced chugging, drinking games with punishment for wrong answers (“Bible study,” “family tree”), and “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor. The result is often acute alcohol poisoning, as seen in nearly every national hazing death.

Physical Hazing: This goes beyond tradition to dangerous abuse. It includes “smokings” (extreme calisthenics until collapse), paddling or beatings, sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme elements, and forced consumption of inedible or excessive food (like the milk and hot dogs in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case).

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“roasted pig,” “elephant walk”), degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. These cause deep psychological trauma that can last a lifetime.

Psychological Hazing: Verbal abuse, isolation from non-members, threats of expulsion from the group, forced confessions, and public shaming. This systematic breakdown is designed to create dependency on the organization.

Digital/Online Hazing: The newest frontier. This includes 24/7 group chat monitoring (GroupMe, WhatsApp), demands for instant responses at all hours, forced social media posts or challenges, geo-tracking via apps, and the sharing of humiliating photos or videos in private channels.

Where Hazing Happens

While fraternities and sororities are most associated with hazing, it permeates many campus organizations:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
• Corps of Cadets, ROTC, and military-style groups
• Athletic teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Spirit and tradition organizations (like Texas Cowboys or Aggie Bonfire crews)
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Some academic, service, and cultural clubs

The common thread is power imbalance, tradition used as justification, and secrecy enforced by group loyalty.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas & Federal Hazing Laws

For Azle families navigating a hazing crisis, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. Texas has strong anti-hazing statutes, and federal laws provide additional avenues for accountability.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas law provides a clear framework for prosecuting and suing over hazing:

Definition (§37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for purposes of initiation or affiliation. It can occur on or off campus.

Criminal Penalties (§37.152):

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause 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

Organizational Liability (§37.153): Organizations (fraternities, sororities, clubs) can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it. Universities can revoke recognition.

Immunity for Reporting (§37.154): Good-faith reporters to university or law enforcement are immune from civil or criminal liability. This includes amnesty for those calling 911 in medical emergencies, even if underage drinking was involved.

Consent Not a Defense (§37.155): This critical provision states that the victim’s “consent” is not a defense to hazing charges. Texas recognizes the coercive environment of pledging.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim is punishment (jail, fines, probation). Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, and in fatal cases, manslaughter. A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case.

Civil Cases: Brought by victims or their families. Aim is compensation for damages and accountability. These cases focus on negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, and emotional distress. Civil cases can proceed simultaneously with criminal cases, and often uncover broader institutional failures.

Federal Law Overlay

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents, strengthen prevention programs, and maintain transparent hazing data (phased in by 2026).

Title IX & Clery Act: When hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, Title IX obligations are triggered. The Clery Act requires reporting of certain crimes, including aggravated assault, which some hazing incidents may constitute.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A comprehensive hazing lawsuit often names multiple defendants to ensure full accountability and access to insurance coverage:

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity/sorority chapter as an entity (if incorporated).
3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: For failing to supervise, enforce policies, or for having prior knowledge of dangerous traditions.
4. University or Governing Board: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX violations.
5. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol (under dram shop laws).

In our ongoing UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we named 13 individual members, the Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents. This comprehensive approach is essential for uncovering the full scope of liability and insurance coverage.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Families Can Learn

National tragedies have shaped the legal landscape. Understanding these patterns helps Azle families recognize red flags and understand the stakes.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A 20-year-old pledge died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. The case resulted in multiple criminal convictions and a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU).

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. His death led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony. His family later won a $6.1 million verdict against individual defendants.

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid acceptance night with extreme drinking. His fall was captured on chapter cameras; brothers delayed calling for help. The case led to the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and criminal charges against 18 members.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): A pledge died from head injuries during a violent, blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years, and members received jail sentences.

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): An 18-year-old pledge suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from alcohol poisoning during a “pledge dad reveal.” He cannot walk, talk, or see and requires 24/7 care. His family settled with 22 defendants for confidential, multi-million dollar amounts.

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Former players alleged systemic, sexualized hazing within the program. Multiple lawsuits led to the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald and confidential settlements, demonstrating hazing extends far beyond Greek life.

What These Cases Mean for Azle Families

These national cases prove that hazing deaths and injuries are foreseeable and preventable. They show a pattern: forced drinking, humiliation, delayed medical care, and cover-ups. They also demonstrate that juries and legislatures are demanding accountability, resulting in stronger laws and multi-million dollar verdicts. For families in Azle, these cases provide legal precedents and a roadmap for holding Texas organizations responsible.

Texas Focus: Universities Where Azle Students Attend

Azle families often send students to major universities across Texas. Here’s what you need to know about hazing at key institutions.

University of Houston (UH) – The Current Front Line

For Azle Families: While UH is a 4+ hour drive from Azle, many Tarrant County students attend, and the current landmark case there sets critical precedents for all Texas hazing litigation.

Campus Snapshot: A large, diverse urban campus with active Greek life including Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic, Multicultural Greek Council, and NPHC organizations.

Official Hazing Policy: UH prohibits hazing on and off campus, with reporting through the Dean of Students and Campus Safety. The university states it investigates all reports and imposes sanctions including suspension and expulsion.

Documented Incident – The Flagship Case: Our firm’s Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case alleges severe hazing in fall 2025. According to the Click2Houston report, Bermudez was forced through extreme physical abuse, carried a humiliating “pledge fanny pack,” and suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure requiring hospitalization. The ABC13 coverage details how he was sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding” and forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. Pi Kappa Phi suspended the chapter on Nov. 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter on Nov. 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

How a UH Case Proceeds: Cases may involve UHPD, Houston Police, and Harris County courts. Civil suits can target individuals, the local chapter, Pi Kappa Phi national, UH, and property owners.

What UH Families Should Do: Report to UH Dean of Students and UHPD immediately. Document everything. The UH case proves that even “recognized” chapters with national affiliations engage in severe hazing. Contact a lawyer with specific experience in Houston hazing litigation.

Texas A&M University – Corps Culture and Greek Life

For Azle Families: A popular choice for Tarrant County students, approximately 3 hours from Azle. The Corps of Cadets and strong Greek life present distinct hazing risks.

Campus Snapshot: A tradition-rich campus with a large Corps of Cadets and active Greek community. The “Aggie Spirit” can sometimes normalize abusive traditions under the guise of “building character.”

Documented Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021): Two pledges allegedly suffered severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts after being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner during hazing. They sued for $1 million; the chapter was suspended.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages.

How a Texas A&M Case Proceeds: May involve University Police, College Station PD, and Brazos County courts. The Corps has its own disciplinary system, but civil actions can proceed independently.

What Texas A&M Families Should Do: Be aware of both Greek and Corps hazing risks. The university’s tradition-heavy culture can sometimes enable abuse. Document injuries immediately; medical care in Bryan-College Station should note hazing as the cause.

University of Texas at Austin – Transparency and Patterns

For Azle Families: UT Austin is about 3.5 hours from Azle and attracts many North Texas students. It maintains a public hazing violations log, offering unique transparency.

Campus Snapshot: A large flagship university with extensive Greek life, spirit groups, and academic organizations. UT’s public hazing log demonstrates ongoing issues despite policies.

Documented Incidents (from UT’s Public Log):

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Found to be hazing; chapter placed on probation.
• Texas Wranglers: Multiple sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon: Faced allegations at UT as recently as 2024 regarding assault and hazing.

How a UT Case Proceeds: May involve UTPD, Austin PD, and Travis County courts. The public violation log can be powerful evidence in civil suits to show prior knowledge and pattern.

What UT Families Should Do: Check UT’s public hazing log for prior violations by organizations your child is joining. Report to UT’s Office of the Dean of Students. Use the transparency to your advantage in holding organizations accountable.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Private University Challenges

For Azle Families: SMU is the closest major private university to Azle (about 45 minutes). Its affluent student body and strong Greek presence present specific hazing dynamics.

Campus Snapshot: A private university in Dallas with a significant Greek life presence. Private university status can mean less public transparency about disciplinary matters.

Documented Incident:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, and deprived of sleep. The chapter was suspended until around 2021.

How an SMU Case Proceeds: May involve SMU PD, Dallas PD, and Dallas County courts. Private university status means fewer public records, but discovery in litigation can uncover internal documents.

What SMU Families Should Do: Understand that SMU’s disciplinary processes may be less transparent than public universities. Insist on documentation of any investigations. Private does not mean unaccountable in civil court.

Baylor University – Religious Identity and Scrutiny

For Azle Families: Baylor in Waco is about 2 hours from Azle. Its religious identity and past scandals create a complex environment for hazing accountability.

Campus Snapshot: A private Baptist university with active Greek life and athletic programs. Past sexual assault scandals have led to increased scrutiny of institutional responses to misconduct.

Documented Incident:

• Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following a hazing investigation, with staggered suspensions affecting the season.

How a Baylor Case Proceeds: May involve Baylor PD, Waco PD, and McLennan County courts. Baylor’s religious affiliation doesn’t preclude civil liability for negligence.

What Baylor Families Should Do: Be aware that institutional protection of reputation may be a factor. Document everything independently. Civil litigation can proceed regardless of internal “resolution.”

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Matter for Azle Families

The fraternities and sororities present at Texas universities aren’t isolated entities—they’re chapters of national organizations with documented histories of hazing incidents across the country. This history matters legally because it establishes foreseeability: national headquarters knew or should have known their chapters were engaging in dangerous patterns.

Why National Histories Matter in Court

When a Texas chapter repeats the same dangerous behaviors that caused deaths or injuries at other chapters, it demonstrates that:

1. The national organization failed to implement effective prevention.
2. The risks were known and foreseeable.
3. Policies were likely “paper only” without meaningful enforcement.

This pattern evidence can support claims for negligent supervision and punitive damages.

Organization Mapping: National Patterns at Texas Schools

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor.

• National History: Stone Foltz death (BGSU, $10M settlement); David Bogenberger death (NIU, $14M settlement).
• Texas Pattern: UT chapter sanctioned for hazing 2023; historical incidents at multiple Texas campuses.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor.

• National History: Multiple hazing deaths nationwide; traumatic brain injury lawsuit at Alabama (2023); chemical burns case at Texas A&M.
• Texas Pattern: Texas A&M chemical burns case; ongoing allegations at UT.

Pi Kappa Phi: Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT.

• National History: Andrew Coffey death (FSU, 2017).
• Texas Pattern: Current $10M lawsuit at UH (Bermudez case) alleging extreme physical abuse and kidney failure.

Phi Delta Theta: Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor.

• National History: Max Gruver death (LSU, led to felony hazing law).
• Texas Pattern: Active chapters across Texas with same national rituals.

Kappa Alpha Order: Present at Texas A&M, UT, SMU.

• National History: Multiple hazing suspensions nationwide.
• Texas Pattern: SMU chapter suspended 2017-2021 for paddling and forced drinking.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Tracking Organizational Footprints

Our firm maintains a proprietary database of Texas Greek organizations compiled from public records. For families in Azle, this means we don’t start from scratch when investigating. We already have data on hundreds of entities. For example, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area (which includes Azle), public records show over 500 Greek-related organizations, including:

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – Fort Worth, TX – 12650 N Beach St #30, Suite 114, Fort Worth, TX 76244
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 741380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147-0061 (IRS B83 filing)
• Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) – Arlington, TX – national sorority headquarters in Dallas area
• Kappa Delta Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter – Denton, TX – chapter at Texas Woman’s University

This database includes IRS records of house corporations, alumni chapters, and honor societies—the very entities that often hold insurance policies and assets. When we take a case, we can immediately identify the network of organizations behind a chapter, ensuring no liable party is overlooked.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy for Azle Families

Successfully navigating a hazing case requires systematic evidence collection, understanding of damages, and strategic navigation of insurance and institutional defenses.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Evidence (Most Important):

• Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity apps. Screenshot entire threads with timestamps and sender names.
• Social Media: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook posts showing events or injuries.
• Texts/DMs: Preserve all communications with members about events.
• **Our video on using your phone to document evidence](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) shows best practices.

Photo & Video Evidence:

• Injuries: Photograph immediately from multiple angles with scale (coin/ruler).
• Locations: Pictures of houses, rooms, venues where hazing occurred.
• Events: Videos of hazing in progress (if safe to record).

Medical Documentation:

• ER records, hospitalization notes, lab results (like the crit