When Hazing Hits Home: A Guide for Boerne Families Facing University Greek Life Abuse

The Silent Crisis at Our Texas Universities: A City of Boerne Parent’s Worst Nightmare

Imagine your child—who grew up here in Boerne, attended Boerne High School or Champion High, spent weekends in the Hill Country—now sits in a dimly lit fraternity house near the University of Texas at San Antonio. It’s “initiation week.” They’re exhausted, having been awakened at 3 AM for the third consecutive night for “mandatory study sessions” that involve humiliation, not homework. Their phone buzzes constantly with demands from a GroupMe chat: respond within 30 seconds or face punishment. They’ve been carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack” for weeks. Tonight, older members are pressuring them to drink far beyond their limits as part of a “Big/Little” tradition. Someone films it on their iPhone. Your child feels trapped: wanting to belong, fearing exclusion, but increasingly aware something is very wrong.

This isn’t a hypothetical scenario. Right now, in Texas, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered catastrophic injuries during his Pi Kappa Phi pledge period. According to detailed media reports from Click2Houston and ABC13, Bermudez was subjected to extreme physical hazing—including being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and brutal workouts—that led to rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was shut down, but the physical and psychological harm lasts.

For families in Boerne, Kendall County, and across the Texas Hill Country, this case hits close to home. Many of your children attend UTSA, Texas State, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or other Texas universities with active Greek life. What happens when “tradition” becomes torture? When the quest for belonging leads to permanent injury or worse?

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for Boerne parents and families who need to understand:

• What modern hazing really looks like in 2025 (far beyond the old stereotypes)
• How Texas law protects—or fails to protect—your child
• What’s happening at Texas universities where Boerne students enroll
• Why national fraternity histories matter for local cases
• What legal options exist when hazing injures your child
• How to protect evidence and navigate the aftermath

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCES

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 your child insists they’re “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 Boerne Parents Need to Recognize

The Modern Definition: Beyond “Pranks” and “Traditions”

For Boerne families who may be unfamiliar with modern Greek life, hazing is no longer just “silly pranks” or “harmless traditions.” Under Texas law and in reality, hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student.

The critical elements for Boerne families to understand:

• Location doesn’t matter: Whether it happens at a UTSA fraternity house, a Texas State off-campus apartment, a Texas A&M Corps dormitory, or a remote Hill Country retreat, it’s still hazing
• “Consent” is not a defense: Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Texas law explicitly states this does not justify hazing
• Mental harm counts: Extreme humiliation, psychological manipulation, and sleep deprivation qualify alongside physical abuse
• Recklessness suffices: They don’t need to intend harm—just to recklessly disregard the obvious risks

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing (The Most Deadly)

This remains the leading cause of hazing deaths nationwide. For Boerne students at Texas universities, this includes:

• “Big/Little” nights: New members paired with older members and pressured to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol
• Drinking games: “Century Club” (100 shots of beer in 100 minutes), “Bible study” (answer questions wrong = drink), “family tree” challenges
• Forced consumption: Chugging contests, funneling, keg stands beyond safe limits
• Coerced drug use: Pressure to consume marijuana, pills, or unknown substances

The Leonel Bermudez case at UH involved forced consumption, but the national pattern shows alcohol hazing claims more lives than any other form.

2. Physical Hazing (From “Workouts” to Violence)

What some organizations call “conditioning” or “team building” often crosses into abuse:

• Extreme calisthenics: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups, squats, or wall sits until collapse
• Paddling and beatings: Still prevalent despite national prohibitions
• Environmental exposure: Locked in cold rooms, left outside in extreme weather, forced into filthy conditions
• Sleep and deprivation: All-night “study sessions,” food/water restriction

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in a single session, leading directly to his medical crisis.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

Some of the most psychologically damaging forms include:

• Forced nudity or partial nudity: “Roasted pig” positions, nude initiations
• Simulated sexual acts: “Elephant walks,” degrading role-playing
• Racist, sexist, or homophobic rituals: Use of slurs, stereotype reinforcement
• Public humiliation: Wearing degrading costumes in public, performing embarrassing acts

4. Psychological Hazing

Often the most subtle but equally damaging:

• Verbal abuse: Yelling, screaming, constant criticism
• Isolation tactics: Cutting off contact with family and non-Greek friends
• Manipulation and gaslighting: Making victims doubt their own experiences
• Threats and intimidation: Explicit or implied threats of violence or social exclusion

5. Digital Hazing (The 2025 Reality)

For Boerne students who grew up with smartphones, this is increasingly common:

• 24/7 group chat monitoring: Required to respond immediately to messages at all hours
• Social media humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat
• Location tracking: Required to share real-time location via Find My Friends or similar apps
• Digital “challenges”: Coerced participation in dangerous online dares

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond Fraternity Houses

Boerne parents should understand that hazing extends far beyond traditional fraternities:

• Fraternities and Sororities: All councils—IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural
• Corps of Cadets Programs: Especially at Texas A&M and other military-style programs
• Athletic Teams: From football to cheerleading to club sports
• Spirit and Tradition Groups: Texas Cowboys, cheer teams, drumlines
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups
• Academic and Honor Societies
• Cultural and Service Organizations

The common thread is power imbalance, tradition justification, and secrecy.

Texas Hazing Law: What Boerne Families Must Know

The Texas Education Code Framework

Texas has specific anti-hazing legislation in Chapter 37, Subchapter F of the Education Code. For Boerne families, understanding these provisions is crucial:

§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or membership that endangers mental or physical health or safety.

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (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

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability: Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and face university expulsion.

§ 37.154 Immunity for Reporting: Good-faith reporters are immune from liability.

§ 37.155 Consent Not a Defense: This is critical—your child’s “agreement” doesn’t legalize hazing.

§ 37.156 Institutional Reporting: Texas universities must publish annual hazing reports.

For Boerne families, this means:

1. Hazing is a crime in Texas, with felony potential for serious injuries
2. Both individuals AND organizations can be held accountable
3. Reporting is protected by law
4. Your child’s consent doesn’t eliminate liability

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Different Paths to Justice

Boerne parents often confuse these two tracks:

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (prosecutor)
• Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Charges may include: Hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Burden of proof: Beyond a reasonable doubt

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims/families
• Goal: Compensation and accountability
• Claims may include: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
• Burden of proof: Preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not)

Key Insight for Boerne Families: These cases can run simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required for a civil suit. In fact, many hazing cases settle civilly while criminal charges are pending.

The Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

• Report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthen prevention education
• Maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026)

This means Boerne families will soon have better access to information about which organizations at which schools have hazing violations.

Title IX Implications:
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, federal Title IX obligations trigger. Universities must investigate and remedy.

Clery Act Requirements:
Campus crime reporting laws may cover hazing incidents involving assault, alcohol crimes, or other reportable offenses.

Who Can Be Liable? The Full Picture for Boerne Families

When hazing injures your child, multiple parties may share responsibility:

Individual Students:

• Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing
• Often face both criminal charges and civil liability

Local Chapter/Organization:

• The fraternity/sorority as a legal entity
• Officers and “pledge educators” with supervisory roles

National Fraternity/Sorority:

• Headquarters that set policies, collect dues, and supervise chapters
• Liability often hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents

University/Board of Regents:

• May be liable under negligence or civil rights theories
• Key questions: Prior warnings? Policy enforcement? Deliberate indifference?

Third Parties:

• Landlords of event spaces
• Bars/alcohol providers (under dram shop laws)
• Security companies or event organizers

For Boerne families, this means a comprehensive investigation must examine all potential responsible parties, not just the immediate perpetrators.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What They Mean for Texas Families

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Repeated Tragedies

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

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):
Pledge forced to participate in a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. Died with a 0.495% BAC. Louisiana enacted the Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017):
Pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother Night.” The case led to temporary suspension of all FSU Greek life and nationwide scrutiny of Pi Kappa Phi.

For Boerne Families: These cases show that forced drinking rituals follow predictable scripts. When your child attends a Texas university, the same national organizations with these histories are operating on their campus.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing: Violence Disguised as Tradition

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):
Pledge was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a Pennsylvania retreat. He died from traumatic brain injuries. Pi Delta Psi was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years—a rare example of organizational criminal conviction.

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021):
18-year-old pledge suffered permanent, severe brain damage after forced drinking during a “pledge dad reveal” night. He cannot walk, talk, or see and requires 24/7 care. The family settled with 22 defendants in confidential multi-million dollar agreements.

For Boerne Families: These cases demonstrate that hazing isn’t just about alcohol. Physical abuse, dangerous rituals, and delayed medical response create catastrophic injuries that last a lifetime.

Athletic Program Hazing: Beyond Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):
Former players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hacing within the program. Multiple lawsuits resulted, head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired, and the university reached confidential settlements. This proves hacing permeates even elite athletic programs.

Western Kentucky University Swim Team (2012-2015):
Hazing investigation revealed years of verbal and physical abuse. The entire swim program received a five-year suspension, coaching staff was terminated, and the university settled a federal lawsuit for $75,000.

For Boerne Families: If your child is an athlete at a Texas university, understand that hazing risks exist in athletic programs too, often with less oversight than Greek organizations.

What These National Cases Mean for Boerne

1. Patterns Repeat: The same hazing methods recur across campuses and organizations
2. Cover-Ups Are Common: Delayed medical response and evidence destruction worsen outcomes
3. Institutions Face Consequences: Universities and national organizations pay substantial settlements
4. Legal Reforms Follow Tragedy: States like Ohio, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania strengthened laws after high-profile deaths
5. Juries Award Significant Damages: Recent verdicts and settlements range from $1M to $14M+

For Boerne families with students at Texas universities: these national precedents shape the legal landscape your case would enter. They establish what courts consider foreseeable, what damages are appropriate, and how organizations can be held accountable.

Texas University Focus: Where Boerne Students Are Most Vulnerable

Understanding Boerne’s College Connections

Boerne families typically send students to:

• Local/Regional Campuses: UTSA (San Antonio), Texas State (San Marcos), St. Mary’s University
• Major Texas Universities: Texas A&M (College Station), UT Austin, Texas Tech (Lubbock), University of Houston
• Private Institutions: Baylor (Waco), SMU (Dallas), TCU (Fort Worth)

The hazing risks vary by campus but follow predictable patterns. Let’s examine the universities most relevant to Boerne families.

University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA): Your Local Campus

For Boerne Families: UTSA is just 30 minutes from downtown Boerne, making it one of the most common destinations for local students. Its growing Greek life presents both opportunities and risks.

Campus Greek Landscape:
UTSA hosts fraternities and sororities across multiple councils, including organizations with national hazing histories. The proximity to Boerne means local families are directly impacted by campus safety issues.

Documented Incident Patterns:
While UTSA maintains its own disciplinary records, the patterns mirror national trends: alcohol hazing, physical “conditioning” disguised as workouts, and psychological pressure during pledge periods.

What Boerne Parents Should Know:

• UTSA students can easily commute from Boerne, but hazing often occurs in off-campus housing where university oversight is limited
• San Antonio police may have jurisdiction over off-campus incidents
• UTSA’s growth means Greek life is expanding, increasing potential exposure

If Hazing Happens at UTSA:

1. Jurisdiction: Cases may involve UTSA Police, San Antonio PD, or Bexar County Sheriff
2. Venue: Civil suits typically filed in Bexar County courts
3. Evidence Location: Often in GroupMe chats, Snapchat, Instagram—digital evidence is critical
4. Medical Care: Baptist Medical Center, Methodist Hospital, or University Hospital may treat injuries

Texas State University: The San Marcos Connection

For Boerne Families: Many Boerne students choose Texas State for its location, size, and Greek life. The 45-mile distance means families may not see warning signs until it’s too late.

High-Risk Environment:
Texas State has faced multiple hazing incidents, including:

• Sigma Chi (2021): Chapter suspended after hazing allegations
• Multiple IFC Organizations: Periodic suspensions for alcohol violations and hazing

Special Concerns:

• The San Marcos river location enables dangerous “river hazing” rituals
• Off-campus housing in San Marcos is often fraternity-controlled
• Large Greek population increases competitive pressure during rush

What Boerne Parents Should Watch For:

• Sudden changes in behavior after weekend visits to San Marcos
• Injuries unexplained by official activities
• Excessive concern about “missing mandatory events”

Texas A&M University: Corps and Greek Life Complexities

For Boerne Families: Texas A&M attracts many Boerne students, particularly those interested in engineering, agriculture, or the Corps of Cadets. Both the Corps and Greek life have documented hazing risks.

Corps of Cadets History:
2023 lawsuit alleged cadets were subjected to:

• Simulated sexual acts
• Being bound between beds in “roasted pig” position with apple in mouth
• Psychological abuse and humiliation

The university stated it handled the matter under Corps regulations, but the case sought over $1 million in damages.

Greek Life Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. Chapter suspended; lawsuit sought $1 million.
• Multiple Organizations: Regular disciplinary actions for hazing violations

What Makes A&M Unique for Boerne Families:

1. Corps-Greek Overlap: Many students participate in both, doubling exposure
2. Tradition Culture: Some traditions cross into hazing territory
3. Geographic Isolation: College Station’s insular environment can enable secrecy

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Ongoing Issues

For Boerne Families: UT Austin represents the pinnacle for many Texas students, but its Greek life has persistent hazing problems despite relative transparency.

UT’s Public Hazing Log:
Unlike many schools, UT publishes hazing violations at hazing.utexas.edu. Recent entries include:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Chapter placed on probation.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Lawsuit alleges assault leaving Australian exchange student with dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. Chapter already under suspension.
• Multiple Spirit Organizations: Texas Cowboys, Texas Wranglers, and other groups with hazing violations

What Boerne Parents Gain from UT’s Transparency:

1. Prior Pattern Evidence: Public records help establish organizational knowledge
2. Deterrent Effect: Public shaming may reduce (but not eliminate) hazing
3. Case Strength: Multiple violations strengthen negligence claims

Special Considerations:

• Austin’s off-campus housing market means hazing often occurs in private residences
• UTPD and Austin PD jurisdiction depends on location
• High-profile campus increases media scrutiny of incidents

Baylor University: Private School Pressures

For Boerne Families: Baylor’s Christian identity doesn’t immunize it from hazing risks. The university’s history with athletic scandals shows institutional pressure to protect reputation.

Documented Incidents:

• Baseball Team Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following investigation
• Greek Life Issues: Periodic disciplinary actions, though less transparent than public schools

Unique Challenges for Boerne Families:

1. Private School Dynamics: Less public transparency, more control over narrative
2. Religious Context: May create additional pressure to “forgive” or “move on”
3. Waco Isolation: Similar to College Station, geographic isolation enables secrecy

Southern Methodist University: Affluent Environment, Same Risks

For Boerne Families: SMU’s Dallas location and affluent reputation attract some Boerne students. Its Greek-dominated social scene carries inherent risks.

Documented History:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep. Chapter suspended until 2021.
• Ongoing Monitoring: SMU maintains Greek life oversight but incidents occur

Dallas-Specific Factors:

• Wealthy families may pressure against “making waves”
• High-profile alumni networks can influence institutional response
• Urban location provides more off-campus venues for hazing

The Greek Life Ecosystem: National Histories That Impact Boerne Students

Why National Histories Matter for Local Cases

For Boerne families, understanding that your child’s local chapter is part of a national organization is crucial. When we sue a fraternity or sorority, we’re not just suing the students in the house—we’re suing an organization with a national history, insurance policies, and legal strategies.

Legal Concept: Foreseeability
If a national organization has seen the same hazing method cause injury or death at another campus, they can’t claim “we didn’t know this was dangerous” when it happens at your child’s school. This establishes negligence.

Insurance Coverage Implications
National organizations carry insurance, but insurers often try to deny coverage for hazing as “intentional acts.” Our experience as former insurance defense attorneys (Mr. Lupe Peña spent years at a national defense firm) helps navigate these disputes.

Major Organizations with Documented Hazing Histories

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – Multiple Fatalities

• Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021): $10M settlement
• David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois, 2012): $14M settlement
• Chapter present at: UTSA, Texas State, Texas A&M, UT Austin, others

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Pattern of Incidents

• Traumatic brain injury lawsuit (Alabama, 2023)
• Chemical burns case (Texas A&M, 2021): $1M lawsuit
• Assault case (UT Austin, 2024): Over $1M lawsuit
• Present at all major Texas universities

Pi Kappa Phi – Recent Catastrophic Case

• Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017): Death from alcohol poisoning
• Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025): $10M lawsuit for rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Present at multiple Texas campuses

Phi Delta Theta – Legislative Impact

• Max Gruver (LSU, 2017): Led to Louisiana felony hazing law
• Present at Texas A&M, UT Austin, others

Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) – Life-Altering Injury

• Danny Santulli (Missouri, 2021): Permanent brain damage, multi-defendant settlements
• Present at Texas A&M, UT Austin

For Boerne Families: These national patterns mean that when your child joins an organization at a Texas university, they’re joining a group with a documented history of exactly the behaviors that cause injury. This isn’t speculation—it’s established through court records, settlements, and media documentation.

The Texas Greek Life Infrastructure: What Exists Behind the Letters

Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from IRS records, university data, and organizational filings—we maintain detailed information about the Greek ecosystem affecting Boerne students.

Public Records Directory: Organizations Serving Texas Students

This directory shows the formal, legally recognized entities behind Greek life. Organizations are listed exactly as they appear in public records.

Central Texas Region (Relevant to Boerne Families):

Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – 5019 Calhou