A Comprehensive Guide for City of Garrison Families: Understanding Hazing, Texas Law, and Your Legal Rights
If you are a parent in Garrison whose child is involved in Greek life, athletics, or spirit organizations at a Texas university, the fear that something could go terribly wrong is real. The nightmare often begins not with a dramatic event, but with subtle changes: your child is exhausted beyond normal stress, secretive about their activities, or shows unexplained injuries. What starts as a desire for brotherhood or sisterhood can spiral into a dangerous cycle of coercion, humiliation, and physical abuse. This is not mere hazing; it is institutionalized misconduct that preys on young people seeking belonging.
Right now, in Texas, we are confronting this reality head-on. Our firm, Attorney911, represents Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual members. The allegations are severe and specific: forced carrying of a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” extreme physical workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and coerced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. This abuse led Mr. Bermudez to develop rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, resulting in brown urine and a four-day hospitalization. This case, which led to the chapter’s suspension and charter surrender, is not an anomaly—it is a stark warning for every Texas family.
If you are in Garrison, Nacogdoches County, or anywhere in East Texas, and your child has been hurt by hazing, you are not alone. This guide is for you. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the Texas laws designed to protect your child, and how our data-driven, experienced legal team at Attorney911 can help you pursue accountability and justice.
Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies
If you believe your child is in immediate danger:
- Call 911 for any medical emergency.
- Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911. We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.
- In the first 48 hours: Secure medical care, preserve all digital evidence (screenshots of group chats, photos of injuries), write down everything your child recalls, and contact an attorney before speaking with university officials or insurance representatives. Do not let your child delete any messages.
Hazing in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes
Hazing is not just about “boys will be boys” or harmless pranks. Under Texas law, it is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. Today’s hazing is sophisticated, often digital, and designed to evade detection.
Modern Hazing Tactics Include:
- Digital Coercion: 24/7 monitoring via GroupMe or WhatsApp, mandatory location sharing, social media humiliation, and threats delivered through encrypted messages.
- Disguised Abuse: Extreme physical “workouts” framed as fitness, forced alcohol consumption masked as “big/little” bonding, and sleep deprivation justified as “team building.”
- Psychological Manipulation: Systematic isolation from non-members, enforced secrecy with threats of expulsion, and degradation dressed up as tradition.
- Violent Rituals: The acts alleged in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case—forced overeating, simulated waterboarding, and physical punishment leading to organ failure—represent the catastrophic end of this spectrum.
For families in Garrison, this means the warning signs may not be overt. It’s the constant phone anxiety, the withdrawal from family life, the unexplained bruises or extreme fatigue, and the sudden defensiveness about their organization.
Texas Hazing Law: A Framework for Accountability
Texas takes hazing seriously. The Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F, provides the legal backbone for holding individuals and organizations responsible.
Key Provisions for Garrison Families:
- Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing.
- Organizational Liability: Fraternities, sororities, and other groups can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorize or encourage hazing or if an officer fails to report known acts.
- Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (Sec. 37.155) is explicit—a victim’s “consent” to the activity is not a legal defense against hazing charges. The power imbalance and coercion inherent in these situations render true consent impossible.
- Civil Liability: Beyond criminal charges, victims and families can pursue civil lawsuits for damages including medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and, in wrongful death cases, loss of companionship.
The Federal Overlay: The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024) now requires universities receiving federal funds to report hazing incidents publicly and strengthen prevention programs. Additionally, hazing that involves sexual harassment or assault triggers Title IX obligations, and certain criminal hazing acts may be reportable under the Clery Act.
The National Pattern: Lessons for Texas Families
The tragedy at UH is part of a national crisis. Landmark cases create legal precedents and reveal the predictable patterns that organizations too often ignore.
- Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died from alcohol poisoning after a “big/little” event. Result: A $10 million total settlement from the national fraternity and university.
- Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injury after a bid acceptance night with extreme drinking. Result: Dozens of criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
- Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol toxicity after a “Bible study” drinking game. Result: The Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony in Louisiana.
- Danny Santulli (Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. Result: Multi-million dollar settlements with 22 defendants.
These cases prove that forced drinking, delayed medical care, and institutional knowledge of prior problems are recurring themes. For a family in Garrison, this national history is critical: it shows that when a fraternity with a known pattern of alcohol hazing operates at your child’s university, their negligence is foreseeable.
The Texas University Landscape: Where Garrison Students Go
Families in Garrison and across Nacogdoches County send their children to a mix of regional and flagship Texas universities, each with its own Greek ecosystem and history of hazing incidents.
Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches)
As the home of the Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjacks, our local campus has an active Greek community. Parents here need to be vigilant, as hazing can occur in both fraternities/sororities and spirit groups like the SFA Cheer Team or SFA Band. The university has anti-hazing policies, and any incident would fall under the jurisdiction of the Nacogdoches Police Department and SFA Office of Student Conduct.
Major Statewide Universities for East Texas Families
Garrison students also commonly attend larger institutions hours from home, where parental oversight is more difficult and the scale of Greek life—and its risks—multiplies.
- Texas A&M University (College Station): Known for its expansive Greek life and the Corps of Cadets, A&M has faced serious allegations. This includes a Sigma Alpha Epsilon lawsuit where pledges suffered chemical burns from being doused with cleaner, and a Corps of Cadets lawsuit alleging degrading sexualized hazing.
- University of Texas at Austin: UT maintains a public hazing violations log, offering a window into recurring issues. For example, its Pi Kappa Alpha chapter was placed on probation for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
- University of Houston: The home of our flagship Bermudez case, UH has seen chapters suspended for serious hazing, including a prior Pi Kappa Alpha incident that led to a pledge suffering a lacerated spleen.
- Baylor University & Southern Methodist University: These private institutions have also dealt with hazing scandals in athletics and Greek life, where internal processes can sometimes obscure transparency.
The Greek Ecosystem: Unmasking the Organizations
Behind every fraternity or sorority are multiple legal entities that our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks. For parents, understanding this network is key to understanding liability.
Public Records Directory: Entities Operating in Texas
We maintain an extensive database of Greek organizations registered in Texas. Here are examples relevant to families whose students may be at SFA or larger Texas schools:
- Alpha Tau Omega Housing Corporation of Eta Iota Chapter, EIN 300517788, 316 E Lakewood St, Nacogdoches, TX 75965 (IRS B83 Filing)
- Phi Kappa Psi Texas Epsilon Chapter, EIN 452729519, 1936 N St SFA Station Box 6159, Nacogdoches, TX 75965 (IRS B83 Filing)
- Chi Omega Fraternity – Epsilon Zeta, EIN 756041410, 402 N Steen Dr, Nacogdoches, TX 75965 (IRS B83 Filing)
- Epsilon Tau Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, EIN 756053083, 321 Old Tyler Rd, Nacogdoches, TX 75961 (IRS B83 Filing)
- Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc., EIN 273662583, 1416 Sleepy Hollow Dr, Lufkin, TX 75904 (IRS B83 Filing)
- Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation, EIN 371768785, 4102 Eastshore St, Missouri City, TX 77459 (IRS B83 Filing)
- Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 462267515, 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 Filing)
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Sigma Incorporated, EIN 882755427, 2104 Old Ranch Rd, San Marcos, TX 78666 (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
National Histories Create Local Foreseeability
When a chapter at SFA, Texas A&M, or UT is part of a national organization with a documented history of hazing deaths—like Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, or Phi Delta Theta—that history matters. It demonstrates that the national headquarters was on notice of the lethal risks inherent in their rituals. In litigation, this “pattern evidence” is powerful for defeating claims that a tragedy was unforeseeable.
Building a Serious Hazing Case: The Attorney911 Approach
When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need investigators and strategists who understand how institutions fight back. This is where our unique combination of experience makes the difference.
1. Evidence Preservation & Investigation:
We act with urgency to secure evidence before it disappears. This includes:
- Digital Forensics: Recovering deleted GroupMe messages, Snapchats, and Instagram DMs that outline plans, threats, and cover-ups.
- Institutional Discovery: Using subpoenas to obtain the national fraternity’s prior incident reports, risk management files, and communications with the local chapter.
- University Records: Securing the campus conduct history of the involved organization through public records requests and litigation discovery.
- Expert Testimony: Working with medical experts to document injuries like rhabdomyolysis, toxicologists on alcohol poisoning, and economists to calculate lifelong damages.
2. Overcoming Institutional Defenses:
We anticipate and dismantle the standard defenses:
- “The Pledge Consented”: We cite Texas law where consent is invalid, and use evidence of peer pressure and coercion.
- “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We use our data engine to show the national organization’s pattern of similar incidents elsewhere, proving foreseeability.
- “It Happened Off-Campus”: We establish liability by showing the university or national group exercised control and benefited from the chapter regardless of location.
- Insurance Coverage Fights: Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable here. He knows how insurers try to deny claims under “intentional act” exclusions and how to argue for coverage based on negligent supervision.
3. A Track Record Against Giants:
Our firm’s experience in the BP Texas City explosion litigation means we are not intimidated by billion-dollar defendants. We apply the same rigorous approach to uncovering institutional knowledge and safety failures when taking on national fraternities and university systems.
Practical Guides for Garrison Parents and Students
For Parents – Warning Signs and Steps:
- Watch For: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, secretive phone use, sudden personality changes, withdrawal from old friends, and fear of talking about the group.
- If You Suspect Hazing: 1) Talk to your child calmly and supportively. 2) Seek medical care for any injury. 3) Help them screenshot and preserve all digital evidence. 4) Contact us before reporting to the university or confronting the organization. 5) Document everything in writing.
For Students – Your Rights and Safety:
- You have the right to be safe. “Tradition” is not an excuse for abuse.
- Texas has a “Good Faith Reporter” immunity that can protect you if you call for medical help in an emergency, even if underage drinking was involved.
- Preserve evidence: Take screenshots, photos of injuries, and save any physical objects. Do not delete anything.
- Exit safely: You can resign your membership at any time. If you fear retaliation, report that to the Dean of Students and campus police.
Critical Mistakes to Avoid:
- DO NOT delete text messages or group chats.
- DO NOT let your child attend “one last meeting” to “talk it out.”
- DO NOT sign any agreement with the university or accept a settlement without having an attorney review it.
- DO NOT post details about the incident on public social media.
Why Attorney911 for Your Garrison Family’s Hazing Case
When your family is facing the trauma of hazing, you need advocates who combine deep legal knowledge with genuine compassion and a relentless drive for accountability. We are Texas-based hazing litigation specialists who serve families throughout the state, including in Garrison and all of Nacogdoches County.
Our Distinct Advantages:
- Insider Insurance Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers strategize to deny or minimize claims. We use this inside knowledge to build leverage and maximize recovery for our clients.
- Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello’s background includes the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have experience against the deepest-pocketed institutional defendants and are admitted to federal court, which is often where these battles are fought.
- Data-Driven Investigation: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—tracking over 1,400 Greek entities across the state—means we never start from scratch. We know how to find the housing corporations, alumni associations, and national networks that share liability.
- Dual Civil & Criminal Insight: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits, allowing us to advise families and witnesses comprehensively.
- Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.
We take on a limited number of serious hazing cases because each one demands our full attention, resources, and strategic focus. We fight not just for compensation, but for institutional change that prevents the next family from suffering this pain.
Contact Attorney911 for a Confidential Consultation
If your child has been injured, humiliated, or traumatized by hazing at any Texas campus—from Stephen F. Austin State University here in Nacogdoches County to the flagship schools across the state—you have legal options. The path to accountability begins with a conversation.
We offer a free, completely confidential consultation to listen to your story, review any evidence you have, and explain your family’s legal rights under Texas law. There is no obligation, and we work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs—we only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you.
You don’t have to navigate this crisis alone. Contact the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ today.
Call us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com
Se habla Español. Servicios legales disponibles en español con el Sr. Lupe Peña.
Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. We encourage you to seek independent legal counsel for advice on your particular situation.
