Hazing in West Texas: A Complete Guide for Brownfield Families Seeking Accountability and Justice

If you’re a parent in Brownfield, Terry County, and your child has come home from college with unexplained injuries, sudden anxiety, or stories about “mandatory” late-night events that sound frighteningly close to abuse, you are not alone. What you’re seeing may be the devastating reality of modern hazing—a dangerous tradition that has infiltrated campuses across Texas, including those where our West Texas families send their children.

Right now, in a case that has garnered national attention, our firm represents Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered catastrophic injuries during his fall 2025 pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to a detailed Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case, Bermudez was forced to endure extreme physical workouts, humiliating rituals, and simulated waterboarding. The hazing culminated in a “workout” of over 100 push-ups and 500 squats that led to rhabdomyolysis—severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. This is not an isolated incident from a distant city; it is a stark, current example of what can happen to Texas students, including those from communities like ours.

This guide is written specifically for Brownfield parents, grandparents, and students. We will explain what hazing looks like in 2025, break down Texas law, connect national patterns to our local campuses, and outline the path to accountability. Our children from Brownfield and across the South Plains attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock, West Texas A&M in Canyon, and other universities across the state. The risks they face are real, and the institutions behind them are complex. 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, and 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, or team directly.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
  • Post details on public social media.
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Understanding Hazing in 2025: It’s More Than “Just Hazing”

For families in Brownfield, the term “hazing” might conjure images of outdated, harmless pranks. The reality in 2025 is vastly different, more dangerous, and often deliberately hidden. Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in a group. Crucially, under Texas law, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

Modern hazing tactics have evolved into three troubling tiers:

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing often starts the process: mandatory “fanny packs” with humiliating contents (as in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case), enforced dress codes, being on-call 24/7 for errands, and social isolation from non-members. This establishes a power imbalance.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing escalates the abuse. This includes sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions,” forced consumption of unpalatable food or liquids, verbal abuse, and extreme, punitive calisthenics not related to legitimate conditioning.

Tier 3: Violent Hazing carries the highest risk of injury or death. This encompasses forced alcohol consumption (the leading cause of hazing deaths), physical beatings or paddling, dangerous physical “tests,” sexualized acts, and exposure to extreme elements. The rhabdomyolysis suffered by Leonel Bermudez at UH is a direct, medical consequence of violent physical hazing.

These activities are not confined to fraternity houses. They occur in sororities, athletic teams, spirit groups like Texas Tech’s “Saddle Tramps” or “High Riders,” Corps of Cadets programs, marching bands, and other campus organizations. The common thread is a toxic mix of tradition, secrecy, and power.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What Brownfield Families Need to Know

Texas has a specific legal framework for hazing, found in the Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Understanding this law is the first step in understanding your family’s rights.

Texas Hazing Law (Chapter 37) Key Points:

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership.
• Location: It applies to acts on or off campus. An incident at an off-campus house, an Airbnb, or a remote retreat is still hazing under Texas law.
• Consent: § 37.155 states that the victim’s consent is NOT a defense. This is critical—it doesn’t matter if your child felt pressured to “go along with it.”
• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death, which applies to cases involving rhabdomyolysis, traumatic brain injury, or alcohol poisoning.
• Immunity: The law provides protections for those who report hazing or call for emergency medical help in good faith.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

1. Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (e.g., Terry County District Attorney, Lubbock County DA, or campus police). The goal is punishment: fines, probation, or jail time for individuals. Investigations may be handled by Texas Tech Police, UTPD, or local departments.
2. Civil Lawsuits: Brought by the victim and their family. The goal is compensation for damages and institutional accountability. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil case. In fact, a thorough civil investigation often uncovers evidence that criminal probes miss.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

One of our core strengths is identifying every potentially liable entity, which is especially important when dealing with national organizations. Potential defendants include:

• The individual students who planned, executed, or concealed the hazing.
• The local chapter as an organization.
• The national fraternity or sorority headquarters (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity). We use our data engine to trace their oversight and prior knowledge.
• The university (e.g., Texas Tech University, West Texas A&M University) for negligent supervision or failure to act on prior warnings.
• Alumni housing corporations and property owners of off-campus houses.
• University regents or system boards.

The National Hazing Crisis: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic case at the University of Houston is part of a national pattern. Understanding these patterns is key to proving that injuries are foreseeable, not accidental.

• Alcohol Poisoning & Death: The 2021 death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University (Pi Kappa Alpha) followed a forced drinking ritual. His family secured a $10 million settlement. Max Gruver died at LSU (Phi Delta Theta) in 2017 after a “Bible study” drinking game, leading to Louisiana’s felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.”
• Physical Brutality: In 2013, Chun “Michael” Deng died from traumatic brain injuries during a Pi Delta Psi “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted.
• Severe, Non-Fatal Injury: Danny Santulli suffered permanent brain damage at the University of Missouri (Phi Gamma Delta) in 2021 after being forced to drink. His family reached multi-million-dollar settlements with 22 defendants.

These national scripts—Big/Little nights, forced drinking games, extreme workouts, off-campus retreats—are replicated on Texas campuses. When a national organization has seen deaths in Ohio or Louisiana, but fails to prevent the same conduct in Texas, that history becomes powerful evidence of negligence.

The Texas Campus Landscape: Where Brownfield Students Are at Risk

Our children from Brownfield and Terry County attend universities across the state. The hazing risks at these institutions are not hypothetical; they are documented.

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX – Lubbock County)

For many Brownfield families, Texas Tech is the flagship university. Its vibrant campus life includes a significant Greek community and proud tradition-bound organizations.

• Campus Snapshot: A major research university with over 40,000 students and a large Greek system governed by an Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Council.
• Documented Issues: Hazing allegations within Greek life and spirit groups have surfaced periodically. The university maintains conduct records, and hazing violations can result in chapter probation or suspension.
• Local Legal Venue: A hazing case involving Texas Tech would likely involve the Lubbock County court system. Evidence preservation must begin immediately, as local chapters and national headquarters often react swiftly to control the narrative.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX – Randall County)

As part of the Texas A&M System and a primary choice for Panhandle families, WTAMU has its own Greek life and student organization culture.

• Campus Snapshot: A growing university with fraternities and sororities that are part of the Texas A&M System’s broader network.
• The A&M System Context: The A&M System has faced high-profile hazing litigation, including a 2023 lawsuit against the Corps of Cadets alleging degrading sexualized hazing and a Sigma Alpha Epsilon lawsuit where pledges suffered severe chemical burns. This systemic history is relevant to all campuses within the system.
• Practical Note: Students hazed at WTAMU may receive medical treatment in Amarillo or Canyon. Preserving those medical records is crucial.

Other Major Texas Universities

Brownfield students also attend schools across Texas, each with documented hazing challenges:

• University of Texas at Austin: Publishes an online “Hazing Violations” log listing sanctioned organizations for forced drinking, strenuous calisthenics, and other abuses.
• Texas A&M University-College Station: Has faced lawsuits involving the Corps of Cadets and fraternity chemical burns, as noted above.
• University of Houston: The site of our active Leonel Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi case, which allegations include forced vomiting, hose-spraying, and life-threatening rhabdomyolysis.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: A Data-Driven Look

When hazing occurs, it’s essential to look beyond the local students to the deeper organizational structure. National fraternities and sororities are complex entities with insurance policies, alumni networks, and legal histories. Our firm maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public records to map this landscape.

For Example: The Greek Ecosystem Serving West Texas Families

Public IRS records (Form B83) show a network of tax-exempt Greek organizations across Texas. Here is a snapshot relevant to our region:

• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Kappa Sigma Fraternity, EIN 75-6067776, Fort Worth, TX 76109 (Theta Chapter)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 36-4091267, Waco, TX 76710 (Xi Chi Chapter)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 75-2609909, Commerce, TX 75428 (Mu Zeta Chapter)
• Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association, EIN 75-2290669, Amarillo, TX 79118
• Frank Heflin Foundation (Phi Delta Theta alumni), EIN 20-3507402, Canyon, TX 79015
• Phi Delta Theta Fraternity – Texas Theta, Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M Chapter, per Cause IQ data)

The Lubbock metro area, according to our Cause IQ data analysis, is home to 59 Greek-related organizations. Major nationals like Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Phi Delta Theta have chapters at multiple Texas schools. When they have a hazing history in one state, it establishes “foreseeability” for incidents in Texas. Our investigative approach uses this data to identify every entity with potential liability and insurance coverage.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Our Approach

If your family is facing this crisis, taking deliberate, informed steps is critical. The window for preserving evidence is often measured in hours.

Critical Evidence to Preserve:

• Digital Communications: Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage) immediately. Do not delete anything, even if it’s embarrassing. We have a video explaining this critical step: Our video on using your phone to document evidence.
• Photos/Videos: Document injuries over several days. Save any videos from events posted on social media.
• Medical Records: Go to the ER or a doctor. Explicitly state the injuries are from hazing so it enters the medical record. Follow up for ongoing issues like anxiety or PTSD.
• Witness Information: List names of other pledges, members, or roommates.
• Physical Evidence: Keep clothing, paddles, or receipts for forced purchases.

Our Investigative & Legal Strategy:

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation: We guide families to secure digital and physical evidence before it disappears.
2. Comprehensive Defendant Identification: Using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we identify not just the active members, but the national organization, housing corporation, alumni board, and university entities that may share liability.
3. Uncovering Pattern Evidence: We subpoena national fraternity records to uncover prior incidents and warnings, proving they knew the risks.
4. Navigating Insurance Coverage: With Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney, we understand how fraternity and university insurers fight claims. We know their tactics to deny coverage and lowball settlements.
5. Calculating Full Damages: We work with economists and medical experts to account for past and future medical bills, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and therapy for psychological trauma. For wrongful death cases, we calculate the profound loss to the family.

Practical Guide for Brownfield Parents & Students

For Parents – Warning Signs & Steps:

• Signs: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, personality changes, secrecy about group activities, sudden academic decline, constant phone anxiety.
• Talk to Your Child: Ask open-ended questions: “Does anything you’re doing for [organization] make you uncomfortable?” “Are you ever afraid to say no?”
• If Injured: Seek medical care first. Then, document everything and contact us before reporting to the university. Universities often prioritize damage control over victim advocacy.
• Critical Mistake to Avoid: Do not let your child delete text threads or social media posts. This can look like evidence destruction. Learn more about common pitfalls in Our video on mistakes that can ruin your injury case.

For Students – Your Rights & Safety:

• You have the right to leave any group, at any time, without explanation.
• Texas law protects those who report hazing or call 911 in a medical emergency, even if underage drinking was involved.
• “Consent” is not a legal defense for your hazer. You cannot consent to a crime.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can we sue a university in Texas? Yes. While public universities have certain immunities, exceptions exist for gross negligence or violations of duties under laws like Title IX. We investigate the university’s prior knowledge and response.
• How long do we have to file a lawsuit? Generally, the statute of limitations in Texas is two years from the date of injury. However, this can be complex. We explain this in detail here: Our video on Texas statutes of limitations.
• What if it happened off-campus? Location does not matter. Liability extends to organizations and universities that sponsor, supervise, or know about the activities.
• Can we afford a lawyer? We work on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs, and we only get paid if we recover money for you. See how it works: Our video explaining how contingency fees work.

Why Brownfield Families Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

When your family is facing a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury attorney. You need advocates with specific expertise in defeating powerful institutions. From our Houston office, we serve families across Texas, including those in Brownfield, Lubbock, Canyon, and throughout the South Plains and Panhandle.

Our Unique Qualifications:

• Active, High-Stakes Hazing Litigation: We are currently fighting the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case. We are in the trenches right now against a major university and national fraternity.
• Insider Insurance Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny or minimize your claim. He brings this invaluable inside perspective to every case.
• Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by deep-pocketed universities or national organizations.
• The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: We don’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary database of over 1,400 Greek entities in Texas to quickly identify all liable parties and their insurance coverage.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. We are committed to serving all Texas families with compassion and understanding.

We approach each case with a clear mission: to obtain justice and compensation for your family while forcing the institutional changes needed to prevent this from happening to another student from Brownfield or anywhere else.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If hazing has impacted your child and your family, you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved will have teams of lawyers. You deserve experienced, dedicated advocates on your side.

We invite you to contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) for a free, completely confidential consultation. We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options in clear terms, and help you decide the best path forward. There is no pressure, and you will leave the conversation better informed and supported.

Contact Us Today:

• 24/7 Phone: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Website: https://attorney911.com

Hablamos Español. Contacte a el Sr. Lupe Peña para una consulta confidencial en español.

For the students of Brownfield and families across the South Plains, we are here to help you find answers, secure accountability, and begin the journey toward healing.

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
Website: https://attorney911.com