The Complete Guide to Hazing in Texas: A Resource for Brady Families and Parents Across the Lone Star State

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

For families in Brady, the Heart of Texas, sending a child off to college is a milestone filled with pride and hope. Your student might be heading to nearby Howard Payne University in Brownwood, making the longer trek to Texas Tech in Lubbock, or joining the thousands at flagship campuses like the University of Texas at Austin or Texas A&M. You trust the university to keep them safe. But what happens when the threat comes not from strangers, but from the very organizations promising brotherhood, sisterhood, and tradition?

Right now, in Houston, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly lost his life to fraternity hazing. His story, detailed in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, and 13 individual members, is a sobering wake-up call for every Texas parent. During his fall 2025 pledge period with Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter, Bermudez was subjected to extreme physical abuse, psychological torment, and forced consumption rituals that led to rhabdomyolysis—severe muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He was hospitalized for four days after passing brown urine, his body poisoned by a “tradition” of violence.

This guide exists because what happened to Leonel Bermudez can and does happen across Texas. It is written specifically for parents in Brady, McCulloch County, and throughout Central Texas who need to understand the reality of modern hazing, the legal rights of victims, and how to protect their children when institutions fail. If you’re reading this because you suspect your child has been hazed, trust that instinct. We are here to help you navigate this crisis.

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, 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 paddles, 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

Hazing is not a relic of the past or simple “horseplay.” It is a calculated, often hidden system of abuse that adapts to avoid detection. For Brady families, understanding its modern forms is the first step in recognizing danger.

A Clear, Modern Definition

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal. Texas law and courts recognize that true consent is impossible under the peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion inherent in these situations.

Main Categories of Hazing Today

Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadliest form. It includes forced chugging, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, and trivia games where wrong answers mandate drinking. The result is predictable and often fatal: acute alcohol poisoning.

Physical Hazing: This goes beyond tough workouts. We see:

• Paddling, beatings, and “smokings” (extreme, punitive calisthenics).
• Sleep and food/water deprivation over days.
• Exposure to extreme elements (e.g., being left outside in cold weather in underwear).
• Dangerous physical tests like blindfolded tackles or “glass ceiling” rituals.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or positions, and acts with racist, sexist, or homophobic overtones. The psychological scars can be profound and lasting.

Psychological Hazing: Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from friends and family, forced confessions, and public shaming are tools of control designed to break down a new member’s will.

Digital/Online Hazing: The smartphone has become a hazing tool. Pledges face 24/7 demands via GroupMe or WhatsApp, are forced to post humiliating content on social media, share live location data, and participate in degrading “challenges” filmed for group entertainment.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

While fraternities and sororities are often the focus, hazing is a systemic issue in:

• Corps of Cadets and ROTC units
• Athletic teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Spirit and tradition organizations (like the Texas Cowboys)
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Some academic clubs, service organizations, and cultural groups

At its core, hazing persists because of social status, a twisted view of “tradition,” and a powerful code of silence that protects abusers and isolates victims. For a student from a close-knit community like Brady, the pressure to belong and the fear of letting down their new “family” can be overwhelming.

The Texas Legal Framework: Your Child’s Rights and Recourse

Texas has specific laws to combat hazing. Understanding them is essential for Brady families seeking accountability.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

The law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed at a student for purposes of initiation or affiliation that endangers mental or physical health or safety.

Key Provisions for Texas Parents:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a State Jail Felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing they knew about.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that a victim’s “consent” to the activity is not a defense against hazing charges. The law recognizes the inherent coercion in these situations.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Those who report hazing in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability that might stem from their own involvement. This “amnesty” is crucial to encourage calling 911 in emergencies.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (District Attorney). The goal is punishment: jail time, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, and in fatal cases, manslaughter.

Civil Cases: Brought by the victim or their family. The goal is compensation for damages and institutional accountability. These cases focus on negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, and emotional distress.

A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit. The two processes often run parallel, and a skilled legal team like ours can navigate both tracks to maximize accountability.

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

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires universities receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs. This will bring much-needed transparency by 2026.
• Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, it triggers the university’s Title IX obligations to investigate and remedy a hostile environment.
• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain campus crimes, which can include hazing-related assaults or alcohol crimes.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A thorough investigation seeks to hold every responsible party accountable, which may include:

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued for creating a dangerous environment.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority: Headquarters that collect dues, set policies, and supervise chapters. They are often liable for failing to stop known, dangerous patterns.
4. The University: Schools can be sued for negligence if they knew or should have known about the hazing and failed to act, or for violating duties under Title IX.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol, or security companies that failed in their duties.

Why National Hazing Histories Matter: Patterns That Predict Tragedy

The hazing that injured Leonel Bermudez at UH is not an isolated incident. It is part of a national pattern within specific organizations. When we take a case, we investigate this pattern to prove that the harm was foreseeable—and therefore preventable.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death: A Repeating Script

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A pledge died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. The family reached a $10 million settlement with the fraternity and university.
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Died from alcohol toxicity after a “Bible study” drinking game. His case led to Louisiana’s felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.”
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Died from alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother” event, leading to a temporary shutdown of all FSU Greek life.

Physical & Ritualized Violence

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

Athletic Program Hazing

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

What This Means for Brady Families: These national cases create legal precedents and reveal predictable scripts. If a fraternity at a Texas school repeats the same dangerous “tradition” that killed a student in Ohio or Louisiana, that pattern is powerful evidence of negligence. It shows the national organization and the university had every reason to know the risk and intervene.

Texas University Focus: Where Brady Students Go to School

Brady families invest in higher education across our great state. Understanding the landscape at key universities is critical. Our firm maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a proprietary database of Greek organizations, campus histories, and public records—to inform this work.

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

As part of our investigative work, we track the entities behind Greek life. Below is a sample from our directory of Texas-registered organizations (from IRS B83 filings and other public records). This illustrates the complex web of house corporations, alumni chapters, and national affiliates that may share liability in a hazing case.

Sample Texas Greek Organization Listings:

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC | EIN: 133048786 | 3007 EARL RUDDER FWY S, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845 | IRS B83 Filing
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC | EIN: 462267515 | 10601 BIG HORN TRL, FRISCO, TX 75035 | IRS B83 Filing
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 475370943 | 5019 CALHOUN RD, HOUSTON, TX 77204 | IRS B83 Filing – Theta Delta Chapter
• PI KAPPA PHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER BUILDING CORPORATION | EIN: 371768785 | 4102 EASTSHORE ST, MISSOURI CITY, TX 77459 | IRS B83 Filing
• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER | EIN: 746084905 | 4300 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD, HOUSTON, TX 77204 | IRS B83 Filing
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 900293166 | 114 HENDERSON HALL 4233 TAMU, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77843 | IRS B83 Filing – Texas A&M Chapter

This is just a snapshot. Statewide, our data tracks over 1,400 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metro areas. When we take your case, we don’t start from zero. We already know how to find the legal entities behind the letters.

University of Houston (UH)

For Brady Families: Many Central Texas students attend UH for its strong programs and urban opportunities. The recent Pi Kappa Phi case proves severe hazing happens here.

Snapshot & Recent Case: The alleged hazing of Leonel Bermudez involved a “pledge fanny pack” with humiliating items, forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and extreme workouts leading to rhabdomyolysis. The chapter was swiftly suspended and then voted to surrender its charter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” This active, high-stakes case is being litigated by our firm. You can read the initial coverage in the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case and ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit.

What to Do: UH students should report hazing to the Dean of Students Office or UHPD. Evidence preservation is critical—GroupMe chats from UH chapters are often central to investigations.

Texas A&M University

For Brady Families: A&M is a premier destination for Texas students. Its size and strong traditions, including the Corps of Cadets, come with specific hazing risks.

Recent Incidents & Culture: Beyond Greek life, the Corps has faced serious allegations. In one lawsuit, a cadet alleged being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. Sigma Alpha Epsilon at A&M faced a lawsuit where pledges alleged having industrial cleaner poured on them, causing chemical burns requiring skin grafts.

What to Do: Reporting can go to Student Conduct or the Corps command. The university’s size can make students feel anonymous; diligent documentation by the victim is even more vital.

Texas Tech University & West Texas A&M University

For Brady Families: These are major universities within a closer drive for many in the Heart of Texas region. Their robust Greek life mirrors patterns seen statewide.

Tracking the Organizations: Our data includes Texas-based entities connected to these campuses, such as the Frank Heflin Foundation (EIN: 203507402) in Canyon, TX, an alumni fund tied to Phi Delta Theta, and the Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Assn. (EIN: 752290669) in Amarillo, a chapter housing corporation.

Other Universities for Brady Area Students

Students from McCulloch County attend a wide range of schools. Our investigative reach covers them all:

• Howard Payne University (Brownwood): A common choice for local students.
• Angelo State University (San Angelo): Part of the Texas Tech University System.
• University of Texas at Austin, Baylor (Waco), & SMU (Dallas): Major hubs where Texas hazing law applies equally.

No matter which Texas campus is involved, the legal principles and our investigative approach remain constant. The same national fraternities operate with the same dangerous playbooks across the state.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Attorney911’s Strategy

When a family comes to us, we immediately launch a multi-front investigation designed to secure accountability and maximum compensation. Here is what that process entails.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

Hazing cases are won on evidence. We know exactly what to look for and how to preserve it before it disappears.

• Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Discord are goldmines. We secure screenshots and work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages. Learn more about evidence preservation in our video: Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?
• Photos & Videos: Content filmed by members during the hazing is devastating proof. We also seek security footage from houses and nearby businesses.
• Internal Organization Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” lists, and emails between members show planning and intent.
• University Records: We subpoena prior conduct files on the chapter. A history of warnings or probation proves the university knew of the risk.
• Medical & Psychological Records: These document the full extent of harm, from ER reports for physical injuries to psychiatric diagnoses of PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Damages We Fight to Recover

Hazing causes profound, lifelong harm. We work with experts to quantify every loss.

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost wages, and diminished earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the immeasurable loss of companionship, love, and guidance.

Our Strategic Advantages in Hazing Litigation

1. Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers try to deny claims, lowball settlements, and exploit delays. We know their playbook because we used to run it.
2. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas lawyers involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by powerful institutions with deep pockets. We’ve faced them before.
3. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: We don’t start investigations from scratch. Our proprietary database of Texas Greek organizations, campus histories, and national patterns allows us to immediately identify all potentially liable parties and uncover prior incidents.
4. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand criminal hazing charges and can adeptly navigate cases that involve both criminal and civil courts.

Practical Guide for Brady Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme exhaustion or sleep deprivation.
• Drastic personality changes: withdrawal, anxiety, depression.
• Becoming secretive about group activities.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Sudden academic decline or missing classes.

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “How are things really going with the fraternity/sorority? Is anything making you uncomfortable?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If they are injured or intoxicated, seek medical care immediately.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help them screenshot all relevant messages and photograph injuries. Do not let them delete anything.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Contact us before reporting to the university. We can help you navigate the process strategically to protect your child’s rights and preserve evidence. Avoid common pitfalls outlined in our video: Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case.

For Students: Your Rights and How to Stay Safe

• “It’s Just Tradition” is Not a Defense. If you feel unsafe, humiliated, or coerced, it is hazing.
• You Have the Right to Leave. You can resign your membership at any time, for any reason. Send an email to the chapter president for documentation.
• Call 911 Without Fear. Texas law and most university policies protect those who call for help in an emergency from minor alcohol violations.
• Report Anonymously. You can report to the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE or through many university online systems.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy a Hazing Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Texts and group chats are your most powerful evidence. Save everything.
2. Confronting the Fraternity Directly: This triggers their defense strategy and leads to evidence destruction.
3. Signing University Paperwork Unreviewed: Schools may offer quick “resolutions” that waive your right to sue. Do not sign anything without an attorney.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense lawyers scour social media for inconsistencies. Keep details private.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, memories fade. Texas has a statute of limitations. Learn more in our video: Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Texas Hazing Case

When your family is in crisis, you need advocates with the experience, resources, and determination to take on powerful institutions. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas, including those in Brady and throughout McCulloch County.

We are not just personal injury lawyers. We are institutional accountability litigators. The same skills we used against BP after the Texas City explosion—uncovering systemic failures, fighting insurance giants, and piecing together complex evidence—are the skills we deploy in hazing cases.

We fight for two things: full compensation for the life-altering injuries your child has suffered, and real accountability to force change and prevent this from happening to another family.

Our fee structure is contingency-based: You pay nothing unless we win your case. Learn how this works in our video: How Do Contingency Fees Work?

A Message Specifically for Brady Families

The values of community, family, and looking out for one another run deep in the Heart of Texas. When a student from our community is hurt, we believe in holding the responsible parties accountable, no matter how powerful they are. Whether your child attends a university down the road or across the state, Texas law protects them. And our firm is here to enforce those laws.

Confidential Consultation: Your First Step Toward Accountability

If you believe your child has been hazed, time is the most critical factor. Evidence disappears quickly. Universities and fraternities begin their internal processes immediately.

We offer a free, completely confidential consultation to review your situation. In this meeting, we will:

• Listen to your story with compassion and without judgment.
• Review any evidence you have already gathered.
• Explain your family’s legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline the investigation process and what you can expect.
• Answer all your questions about timelines, costs, and potential outcomes.

You are under no obligation to hire us after this meeting. Our goal is to ensure you have the information needed to make the best decision for your family.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 Today:

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com

Se habla Español. Mr. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish-language consultations.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Let us use our experience, data-driven strategy, and relentless advocacy to fight for your child and your family.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

• Attorney911 Main Website & Contact: https://attorney911.com
• Click2Houston Coverage of UH Pi Kappa Phi Case: 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 of Leonel Bermudez Case: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Video: Using Your Cellphone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Video: Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Video: Client Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Video: How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Legal Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. An attorney-client relationship is not created by reading this article. The outcome of any legal matter depends on the specific facts and circumstances. We encourage you to contact an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such a relationship has been formally established.