The Complete Guide to Hazing in Texas: What Every Family in Hico Needs to Know

1. Hook + Overview: A Parent’s Worst Nightmare

It’s a Friday night in early November. A text message buzzes on your phone from your son, a freshman at the University of Houston. “Mom, I don’t feel right. My muscles are on fire and my urine is brown.” Hours later, you’re rushing him to the emergency room, where doctors diagnose rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Through tears and pain, he describes weeks of forced workouts, humiliation, and sleep deprivation at the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity house. This isn’t a fictional scenario. This is the real-life experience of Leonel Bermudez, a UH student whose family turned to us in their moment of crisis.

For parents in Hico, Texas, sending a child to college is a proud milestone. The journey often leads to campuses like the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or other Texas universities. You trust these institutions to keep your child safe. But beneath the surface of tradition and school spirit, a dangerous culture of hazing persists in fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, and Corps programs. When that culture turns violent, families in Hico and across Hamilton County are left searching for answers, accountability, and justice.

This guide is for you. It is a comprehensive resource for Texas families facing the unthinkable reality of hazing. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, break down Texas and federal law, examine national patterns that repeat on our Texas campuses, and provide a clear path forward for holding powerful institutions accountable. Right now, our firm is actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in the country—the $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We are in the fight, and we are here to help Hico families navigate the same complex legal battle.

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:

1. Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine.”
2. Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
   • Screenshot group chats, texts, and DMs immediately.
   • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
   • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects used in hazing).
3. Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where).
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity/sorority directly.
   • 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. Universities move quickly to control the narrative. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

2. Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks or harmless traditions. It is a systematic pattern of abuse designed to assert power and control, often disguised as “bonding” or “character building.” For Hico families, understanding the modern face of hazing is the first step in recognizing it.

A Modern Definition

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or gaining status within a group, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student. Crucially, under Texas law, consent is not a defense. The power imbalance and coercion inherent in these situations mean a “yes” is not a true voluntary agreement.

The Four Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadliest form.

• Forced Consumption: “Lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, “Bible study” where wrong answers mean drinking.
• Coerced Drug Use: Being pressured to consume marijuana, prescription pills, or unknown substances.
• The Outcome: Alcohol poisoning, overdose, traumatic brain injury from falls, or long-term organ damage like the rhabdomyolysis suffered by Leonel Bermudez at UH.

2. Physical and Psychological Hazing:

• Extreme Physical Abuse: “Smokings” involving hundreds of push-ups or squats (like the Nov 3 workout at UH that led to Bermudez’s hospitalization), paddling, beatings, forced exposure to extreme cold or heat.
• Degrading Rituals: Wearing humiliating “pledge fanny packs” filled with condoms and sex toys (as in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case), being hog-tied, lying in vomit-soaked grass, simulated waterboarding with a hose.
• Psychological Torment: Sleep deprivation, social isolation, verbal abuse, threats of expulsion from the group, forced confessions.

3. Sexualized and Digital Hazing:

• Sexual Humiliation: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk”), sexually degrading costumes or positions.
• Digital Abuse: Coerced sharing of compromising photos, public shaming via social media, 24/7 monitoring via group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), geo-tracking demands.

4. “Tradition” Hazing in Non-Greek Groups: Hazing extends far beyond fraternities. Families in Hico with children in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, athletic teams, spirit groups (like the Texas Cowboys), marching bands, and other campus organizations must be equally vigilant. The methods—forced physical exertion, psychological abuse, and alcohol coercion—are tragically similar.

3. Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal Law

When hazing injures your child, understanding the legal landscape is critical. Texas has specific laws, and federal statutes add another layer of potential accountability.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

The Texas legislature has defined hazing and attached serious penalties. For a Hico family, this is the primary law that governs your case.

• Definition (Sec. 37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintaining membership in any organization.
• Criminal Penalties (Sec. 37.152):
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (Sec. 37.155): Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it does not excuse the criminal act or wipe out civil liability.
• Immunity for Reporters (Sec. 37.154): Individuals who in good faith report hazing or call for emergency medical help are generally protected from prosecution related to that reporting.

Civil Liability: The Path to Accountability and Compensation

A criminal case, brought by the state, seeks punishment. A civil lawsuit, which we file on behalf of victims, seeks compensation for damages and forces institutional change. The defendants can include:

• The Individuals: The fraternity brothers, sorority sisters, or team members who carried out the acts.
• The Local Chapter: The organized campus entity.
• The National Organization: Headquarters that often have deep pockets and a history of ignoring similar patterns at other chapters.
• The University: For negligent supervision, failing to enforce policies, or deliberate indifference to a known risk.
• Property Owners & Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserve alcohol.

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

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, universities have a legal duty to respond promptly and effectively.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including hazing-related assaults and alcohol violations.
• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires colleges to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs, increasing transparency for families.

4. National Hazing Case Patterns: The Script Repeats in Texas

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not isolated incidents. They are part of a repetitive script that fraternities and sororities follow nationwide—a script we see playing out on Texas campuses.

• The Alcohol Poisoning Death: Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021) was forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. His family secured a $10 million settlement. This mirrors the forced drinking allegations in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case and serves as a precedent for Texas families.
• The Deadly “Tradition”: Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017) died during a “Bible study” drinking game, leading to Louisiana’s felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.” Similar “tradition” defenses are used in Texas cases.
• The Brutal Physical Hazing: Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013) died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded “glass ceiling” tackling ritual. The national fraternity was criminally convicted.
• The Athletic Program Scandal: The Northwestern University football hazing scandal (2023-2025) revealed sexualized and racist abuse, resulting in massive lawsuits and confidential settlements. It proves hazing is a cancer in athletics, too.

What This Means for Hico Families: These national cases create legal precedents, establish patterns that prove “foreseeability,” and demonstrate that juries and courts will hold organizations financially accountable. When the same national fraternity (like Pi Kappa Phi or Sigma Alpha Epsilon) has a chapter at UH, Texas A&M, or Baylor, their national history of violations becomes a powerful part of your case.

5. Texas Focus: Where Hico Students Go to College

Families in Hico and Hamilton County often send their children to the major universities across Texas. Understanding the specific hazing landscape at these schools is essential.

5.1 University of Houston: A Current Case Study

Relevance to Hico: As a major urban university, UH attracts students from across Texas. Our firm’s active litigation here makes it a critical example for all Texas families.

• Campus Snapshot: A large, diverse commuter and residential campus with active Greek life and hundreds of student organizations.
• The Flagship Case – Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi:
  • The Hazing: Fall 2025 pledge period included a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” enforced dress codes, overnight driving duties, and extreme physical abuse. This culminated in a Nov 3 “workout” of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats. Other acts included a pledge being hog-tied and another losing consciousness at Yellowstone Boulevard Park.
  • The Injury: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing health risks.
  • The Response: Pi Kappa Phi national suspended the Beta Nu chapter on Nov 6, 2025. Members voted to surrender their charter on Nov 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”
  • The Lawsuit: We filed a $10 million lawsuit against UH, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national, the housing corporation, and 13 individual members. This case is ongoing.
• For Hico Families: This case proves severe hazing is happening at Texas universities right now. It shows the importance of acting swiftly to preserve evidence and seek expert legal counsel.

5.2 Texas A&M University: Corps and Greek Life

Relevance to Hico: Many central Texas students are drawn to the tradition and reputation of Texas A&M, including its prominent Corps of Cadets.

• Campus Snapshot: A culture deeply rooted in tradition, with a large Greek system and the nationally recognized Corps of Cadets.
• Documented Incidents:
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns (2021): Pledges alleged being doused with industrial-strength cleaner and other substances, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The chapter was suspended, and lawsuits were filed.
  • Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages.
• For Hico Families: Hazing at A&M is not limited to fraternities. The Corps of Cadets and athletic teams have also faced serious allegations. The university’s internal processes are not the only path to justice.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin

Relevance to Hico: As the state’s flagship university, UT Austin is a common destination for high-achieving students from Hico and surrounding areas.

• Campus Snapshot: A massive Greek life community alongside powerful spirit organizations and athletic programs.
• Public Transparency: UT maintains a public “Hazing Violations” log—a resource few schools provide.
• Documented Incidents (from UT’s log):
  • Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. The chapter was placed on probation.
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): An exchange student alleged a brutal assault at a party, resulting in a broken nose, fractured tibia, and dislocated leg. A lawsuit was filed.
• For Hico Families: UT’s public log can be used as evidence to show a pattern of known issues within specific organizations. It demonstrates that hazing persists despite official policies.

5.4 Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

Relevance to Hico: These private universities attract students for their academic programs and campus environments.

• SMU: As a private school with a strong Greek presence, hazing incidents often result in internal discipline. For example, the Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended in 2017 for paddling and forced drinking.
• Baylor: Following major scandals, Baylor remains under scrutiny. The baseball team saw 14 players suspended in 2020 following a hazing investigation.
• For Hico Families: Private universities may argue for different legal standards, but they are not immune to lawsuits for negligent supervision or fostering a dangerous environment.

6. Fraternities & Sororities: The National Playbook Comes to Texas

The organizations on Texas campuses are almost always chapters of national brands. This connection is the key to building a powerful case.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Why Data Matters

Our firm doesn’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary database built from public records to map the Greek ecosystem in Texas. For Hico families, this means we already know the landscape. This engine includes:

• IRS B83 Records of over 125 Texas-registered Greek housing corporations and alumni chapters.
• Cause IQ Metro Data tracking 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros.
• Campus-Specific Rosters from official university websites.

A Sample from Our Texas Public Records Directory:

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity – EIN 746064445 – Nederland, TX 77627 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc. – EIN 741380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – EIN 364091267 – Waco, TX 76710 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – EIN 900293166 – College Station, TX 77843 (IRS B83 Filing)

This data helps us identify every potentially liable entity behind a campus chapter—from the local house corporation to the national alumni foundation—ensuring no responsible party escapes accountability.

National Patterns, Local Harm

When we take a case, we immediately investigate the national organization’s history. If your child was hazed by Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Texas A&M, we look at SAE’s national record of alcohol deaths and injuries. If it’s Pi Kappa Phi at UH, we examine the death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State and other chapters suspended for hazing. This pattern evidence is crucial to proving that the national organization knew or should have known its chapters were engaging in dangerous, foreseeable conduct. It shatters the “rogue chapter” defense.

7. Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing a hazing case is a complex, multi-front battle against institutions with deep pockets and experienced defense lawyers. Here is how we build a winning strategy.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

1. Digital Evidence: Deleted GroupMe chats can be recovered. Social media posts, Instagram stories, Snapchat memories, and text messages are the modern-day “smoking gun.” We work with digital forensics experts to preserve this evidence before it vanishes.
2. Medical Records: Documentation linking injuries directly to hazing events is paramount. This includes ER reports, toxicology screens, psychological evaluations for PTSD, and statements to healthcare providers.
3. Internal Documents: Through legal discovery, we obtain the fraternity’s or sorority’s pledge manuals, risk management policies, and internal communications about the incident.
4. University Records: We use public records requests and discovery to get prior conduct reports on the same chapter, showing the university knew of a pattern.
5. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, and roommates are often crucial witnesses. We know how to contact and interview them effectively.

Recoverable Damages for Hico Families

A civil lawsuit seeks to make your family whole and punish the wrongdoers. Recoverable damages can include:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical bills, lost wages, cost of therapy, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: If tragedy strikes, families can recover funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional anguish.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness or intentional conduct, courts can award additional damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

8. Practical Guides & FAQs for Hico Families and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Steps to Take

Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight change.
• Sudden secrecy about group activities; being “on call” 24/7 for the group.
• Personality changes: increased anxiety, depression, or withdrawal.
• Constant stress about group messages (GroupMe, texts) and fear of missing events.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m worried about you. Is anything happening that makes you feel unsafe or humiliated?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there is immediate danger or medical concern, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages and photograph injuries.
4. Contact an Attorney Before Reporting: Once you report to the university, their legal team takes over. Having your own counsel from the start ensures your family’s interests are protected.

For Students: Your Rights and How to Exit Safely

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition is worth your life or health.
• “Consent” is Not a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card: Texas law says your agreement under pressure is not a defense for them.
• How to Exit: Send a clear, written message (email/text) to the chapter president: “I am resigning my membership/pledgeship effective immediately.” Then, tell a trusted friend or family member. Do not attend “one last meeting.”
• Reporting: You can report anonymously to the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE or to your university’s Dean of Students office. Calling 911 for a medical emergency is always the right choice, and you are typically protected from minor alcohol violations in such cases.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Those embarrassing group chats are your most powerful evidence. Do not delete them.
2. Confronting the Fraternity First: This gives them time to destroy evidence and align their story.
3. Signing University Paperwork Blindly: Universities may offer a quick “internal resolution” that requires you to waive your right to sue.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys will scour your accounts for any inconsistency.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the two-year statute of limitations in Texas continues to tick.

FAQ for Hico Families

Q: Can we sue a public university like UH or Texas A&M?
A: Yes. While sovereign immunity offers some protection, exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in their personal capacity. These cases are complex but winnable, as seen in national settlements with public universities.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, specific circumstances can affect this deadline. Do not wait. Call us immediately to protect your rights.

Q: What if the hazing happened at an off-campus house?
A: Location does not matter. Liability extends to nationals and universities if they sponsored, knew about, or should have known about the activities. The Pi Delta Psi case that resulted in a death at a Pennsylvania retreat is a prime example.

Q: How much does it cost to hire your firm?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we win your case, receiving a percentage of the recovery. This allows every family, regardless of means, to access high-quality legal representation against powerful institutions.

9. Why Attorney911 for Your Hico Hazing Case

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need a dedicated team of advocates who know how to fight institutions and win. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, The Manginello Law Firm (Attorney911) serves families across Texas, including those in Hico and throughout Hamilton County.

Our Proven Advantage in Hazing Litigation

1. We Are In the Fight Right Now:
Our lead attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Mr. Lupe Peña, are actively litigating the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case. We are not теоретики; we are in the courtroom fighting one of the most significant hazing cases in Texas. This gives us current, real-world experience we apply to every case we take.

2. Insider Knowledge of the Defense Playbook:
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, deny coverage, and drag out cases. We use this insider knowledge to anticipate their moves and counter them effectively.

3. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants:
Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. Taking on a global corporation with limitless resources taught us how to manage complex, document-intensive cases against the most powerful defendants—exactly the skills needed to sue national fraternities and university systems.

4. A Data-Driven Investigative Strategy:
We don’t guess. We investigate using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine. We know how to track down housing corporations, alumni associations, and insurance policies that other firms might miss. We have a network of medical experts, economists, life-care planners, and digital forensics specialists to build an unassailable case.

5. Compassionate, Client-Focused Representation:
We understand the trauma your family is enduring. Our mission is to secure justice for your child while forcing the systemic changes needed to protect future students. We keep you informed at every step and fight tirelessly on your behalf.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you do not have to navigate this alone. Whether your child attends school in Houston, College Station, Austin, or beyond, we are here to help families from Hico and all across Texas.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) Today:

• Phone: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com | lupe@atty911.com
• Spanish Services: Hablamos Español. Mr. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish-language legal consultations.

In your free consultation, we will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options clearly, and outline the path forward. There is no pressure and no obligation. Let us use our knowledge, experience, and determination to help your family find answers, achieve accountability, and begin the journey toward healing.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For legal advice regarding your specific situation, please contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC for a consultation.