Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Combine Families and Beyond

A frantic 3 AM phone call shatters the quiet of your Combine home. Your child, a bright student at a Texas university, is on the line, barely coherent. They’ve just left an off-campus fraternity event, shaking and covered in vomit, after being forced to drink an entire bottle of liquor. Hours earlier, they had been enthusiastically looking forward to “Big/Little Reveal” night; now, they’re terrified and ashamed, begging you not to tell anyone. They whisper about what they saw happen to other pledges – the brutal “traditions,” the physical abuse, the constant humiliation that older members insist is “just harmless fun.” They reveal how they were pressured to delete humiliating photos from their phone, knowing these images could ruin their future, or worse, expose the dangerous activities the fraternity worked so hard to conceal.

This isn’t just a fictional scenario; it is a painful reality for far too many Texas families. Whether your child attends the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, Baylor University, or another campus, the threat of hazing casts a long shadow over their college experience. The pressure to belong, coupled with dangerous traditions and a code of silence, can transform what should be a time of growth into a harrowing ordeal – sometimes with tragic, life-altering consequences. For families in Combine and across the broader Dallas County region, understanding this hidden world is crucial to protecting your children.

This comprehensive guide is designed for families in Combine and across Texas who need to understand:

• What hazing truly looks like in 2025, moving beyond outdated stereotypes.
• How Texas and federal laws address hazing, both criminally and civilly.
• The critical lessons from major national hazing cases and their direct relevance to Texas families.
• What has been happening at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor, providing a localized perspective.
• The legal options and pathways to accountability that victims and their families in Combine and throughout Texas may have.

While this article offers general information and not specific legal advice, The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, is here to evaluate individual cases based on their specific facts. We serve families throughout Texas, including our neighbors in Combine, bringing our deep expertise in hazing litigation to protect your loved ones.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies, without hesitation. Prioritize their life.
• 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, every action you take can be critical to preserving evidence and your child’s rights:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine.” Injuries, especially internal ones or those related to alcohol poisoning, may not be immediately apparent.
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, and direct messages (DMs) immediately. These digital breadcrumbs often contain the most damning evidence.
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles and over several days to show progression and severity.
  • Save any physical items related to the hazing, such as damaged clothing, receipts for forced purchases, or any objects used in the rituals.
• Write down everything while memory is fresh: who was involved, what happened, when and where it occurred. Detailed contemporaneous notes are invaluable.
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or individuals directly. This can lead to evidence destruction, witness coaching, and potential retaliation.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company without legal counsel.
  • Post details on public social media. Such posts can compromise a future legal case.
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” any evidence. This can be seen as obstruction and severely weaken their position.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

• Evidence disappears fast—deleted group chats, destroyed property, and coached witnesses can quickly undermine a case.
• Universities often move quickly to control the narrative and conduct their own internal investigations, which may not prioritize a victim’s legal rights.
• Our team at Attorney911 can help preserve critical evidence, navigate complex university processes, and protect your child’s rights from the outset.
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For families in Combine and across Texas, the image of hazing might still be rooted in movies or old newspaper clippings – a few silly pranks, some forced calisthenics. However, modern hazing, while still including its traditional forms, has evolved into a far more dangerous and insidious practice. It is no longer just “a dumb prank” or “just partying”; it is a systemic issue often involving extreme physical abuse, profound psychological manipulation, and dangerous alcohol consumption, all amplified by digital technology.

Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing, in its simplest terms, is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, maintaining membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits an individual. It’s crucial to understand that a new member’s “agreement” to participate does not automatically make the act safe or legal, especially when peer pressure, power imbalance, and the fundamental desire for belonging are at play. The law, and common sense, recognize that true consent cannot exist in an environment of coercion.

Main Categories of Hazing

Hazing manifests in various forms, often escalating in severity. It’s helpful to categorize these tactics to better understand their impact and prevalence:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This is arguably the most common and deadliest form of hazing. It involves forced or coerced drinking of alcohol, often to dangerous extremes. This can include chugging challenges, “lineups” where pledges consume multiple alcoholic beverages in quick succession, drinking games designed for rapid intoxication, or being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances. The goal is often to incapacitate pledges, making them vulnerable to further abuse.

• Physical Hazing: More traditional, but still dangerously prevalent, physical hazing involves direct physical abuse. This can range from brutal paddling and beatings to extreme calisthenics, forced “workouts,” or “smokings” that go far beyond normal athletic conditioning. Victims often suffer from sleep and food/water deprivation, or are exposed to extreme cold or heat, and dangerous environments. These acts are designed to break down individuals, demonstrating control and power.

• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This particularly degrading form of hazing infringes on a person’s dignity and can cause severe long-term psychological trauma. It includes forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts, demeaning positions like “roasted pig,” or degrading costumes. These acts often have racial, homophobic, or sexist overtones, using slurs and forced role-play to exert power.

• Psychological Hazing: While not leaving physical scars, psychological hazing inflicts deep emotional wounds. It encompasses relentless verbal abuse, threats, forced social isolation, constant manipulation, and coerced confessions. Pledges are often subjected to public shaming, either in meetings or increasingly, on social media, creating an environment of fear and anxiety.

• Digital/Online Hazing: A newer but rapidly growing form, digital hazing leverages technology to extend the reach of abuse. This includes group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation via platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, and others. Pledges might be pressured to create or share compromising images or videos, or be subject to constant digital monitoring, leading to chronic stress and lack of privacy.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

It’s a common misconception that hazing is exclusively a “fraternity problem.” While Greek life often features prominently in hazing incidents, the reality is far broader. Hazing is rooted in power imbalances and a desire for control and can occur in nearly any group where initiation or rites of passage are present.

Hazing is unfortunately prevalent in:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC) or University Panhellenic Council (UPC) sororities, Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities, Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) organizations, and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and Divine Nine chapters.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: These tradition-heavy organizations, such as the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, can sometimes conflate rigorous training with abusive hazing rituals.
• Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs: Various university-sanctioned or unofficial groups, including cheerleading squads, dance teams, and university spirit organizations, have been implicated in hazing.
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to baseball, swimming, and cheer, hazing occurs across athletic programs at all levels, where “team bonding” can devolve into abuse.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly innocuous groups like marching bands or drama clubs can engage in hazing, driven by tradition and an internal hierarchy.
• Other Organizations: Some service, cultural, and academic organizations, though less frequently, also exhibit hazing behaviors.

The persistence of these practices, even in the face of university prohibitions and state laws, can be attributed to several factors: social status, the powerful pull of tradition, and a deeply ingrained culture of secrecy. These elements combine to create an environment where dangerous behaviors flourish, often disguised as “bonding” or “earning your spot,” even when everyone involved “knows” that hazing is illegal and explicitly forbidden. This culture makes it incredibly difficult for individuals to speak out, trapping victims in a cycle of abuse.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

For families in Combine and across Texas, understanding the legal landscape around hazing is crucial. It’s a complex area, encompassing both state statutes and federal regulations, all designed to protect students and hold perpetrators and institutions accountable.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

In Texas, anti-hazing provisions are primarily found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F (Hazing). These laws broadly define hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, committed on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
• Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

This means that if someone makes you do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they either intended to do it or were reckless about the risk involved, that act constitutes hazing under Texas law.

Key aspects of Texas hazing law:

• On or Off Campus: The location of the hazing does not matter. Acts occurring at an off-campus house, a private retreat, or even via digital communication are covered.
• Mental or Physical Harm: Hazing is not limited to physical abuse. Extreme humiliation, intimidation, sleep deprivation, or psychological manipulation that endangers mental health is also prohibited.
• Intent: It’s not necessary to prove malicious intent. “Reckless” conduct, meaning the perpetrator was aware of a significant risk but disregarded it, is sufficient for hazing charges.
• “Consent” is not a defense: This is a critical point. Even if the victim appears to have “consented” or “agreed” to the activity, it is still legally considered hazing if it meets the statutory definition. Texas law explicitly rejects the defense of consent in hazing cases (Texas Education Code § 37.155). This reflects an understanding of the coercive nature of hazing environments.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing in Texas: Hazing can lead to serious criminal charges:

• Class B Misdemeanor: This is the default classification for hazing that does not cause serious injury (punishable by up to 180 days in county jail, a fine up to $2,000, or both).
• Class A Misdemeanor: If the hazing causes bodily injury requiring medical treatment.
• State Jail Felony: If the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. This carries a penalty of 180 days to two years in a state jail facility and a fine up to $10,000.

Beyond direct involvement, Texas law also criminalizes:

• Failure to Report: Any student, faculty member, or organizational officer who knew about hazing and failed to report it can face misdemeanor charges.
• Retaliation: Retaliating against someone who reports hazing is also a misdemeanor.

It’s important to remember that this is a summary of the law. The actual Texas Education Code contains more technical details, but the core principles focus on protecting students from harmful initiation rituals.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

When hazing occurs, there are typically two distinct legal avenues for justice:

• Criminal Cases: These are brought by the State of Texas (through a district attorney or prosecutor) against individuals or organizations accused of violating anti-hazing statutes or other criminal laws. The primary aim of criminal cases is punishment, which can include imprisonment, fines, probation, or community service. Common hazing-related criminal charges beyond the specific hazing offense include:

  • Furnishing alcohol to minors.
  • Assault, aggravated assault, or battery, depending on the physical contact.
  • In tragic fatal cases, charges can escalate to negligent homicide or manslaughter.

• Civil Cases: These are initiated by the victims of hazing or their surviving families against the individuals, organizations, and institutions deemed responsible for the harm. The main aim of civil cases is monetary compensation, intended to make the victim whole again for the injuries and losses suffered. Civil claims often focus on:

  • Negligence and gross negligence: failures to exercise reasonable care or a conscious disregard for safety.
  • Wrongful death: when hazing results in a fatality.
  • Negligent hiring, supervision, or retention: failures by institutions to adequately vet or monitor staff and student organizations.
  • Premises liability: when dangerous conditions (such as an unsafe party environment) on property contributed to the injury.
  • Intentional infliction of emotional distress or assault/battery.

It’s important to note that criminal and civil cases can proceed independently and often simultaneously. A criminal conviction is not a prerequisite for pursuing a civil case, and the thresholds for proof differ.

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

Beyond Texas state law, federal regulations also play a role in addressing hazing and holding institutions accountable:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This significant federal legislation mandates that colleges and universities receiving federal student aid must:

  • Report hazing incidents and related disciplinary actions more transparently.
  • Strengthen hazing education and prevention efforts.
  • Maintain and make publicly available data on hazing incidents. This act is being phased in and will require comprehensive public reporting by 2026, creating a national database of hazing violations similar to what some leading universities already provide.

• Title IX / Clery Act:

  • Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based hostility, or other forms of sex discrimination, it can trigger a university’s obligations under Title IX. This can include investigations, interim measures to protect victims, and disciplinary actions.
  • The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Hazing incidents often overlap with Clery-reportable crimes when they involve assault, alcohol or drug violations, or other offenses. This mandates transparency and can help reveal patterns of unsafe behavior.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Determining who is responsible for hazing injuries or deaths requires a thorough investigation into all parties involved. In a civil hazing lawsuit, liability can extend far beyond the immediate perpetrators:

• Individual Students: This includes the specific older members who planned, directed, or actively participated in the hazing acts, supplied alcohol, or helped cover up the misconduct.
• Local Chapter / Organization: The fraternity, sorority, club, or athletic team itself (if it is a recognized legal entity) can be held liable. This also includes individual officers or “pledge educators” who were acting in an official capacity for the organization.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters that charters and supervises local chapters can be held accountable. Liability often hinges on whether the national organization knew or should have known about hazing within its chapters due to prior incidents, and whether it adequately enforced its own anti-hazing policies.
• University or Governing Board: The college or university itself (private or public) can be sued under various theories, including negligence, negligent supervision, or civil rights violations. Key questions involve the university’s knowledge of prior hazing, its enforcement of policies, and whether it showed deliberate indifference to student safety. Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT, however, may have some protections under sovereign immunity laws in Texas, although there are exceptions for gross negligence or Title IX violations. Private universities like SMU and Baylor generally have fewer immunity protections.
• Third Parties: This can include property owners (landlords of off-campus houses or event spaces), bars or alcohol providers (under “dram shop” laws if they served obviously intoxicated individuals or minors), or even security companies and event organizers who failed in their duties.

It is crucial to understand that every hazing case is fact-specific, and not every party listed above will be liable in every situation. A thorough investigation is required to identify all potential defendants and the legal basis for claims against them.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

When a Combine family grapples with the aftermath of hazing at a Texas university, they often ask, “Has this happened before?” The answer, heartbreakingly, is yes. The patterns of hazing, severe injury, and death have played out repeatedly across the United States. These national cases are not just headlines from distant states; they establish crucial legal precedents, expose systemic failures, and illustrate the high stakes of hazing, profoundly impacting how similar incidents are handled in Texas courts.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Forced alcohol consumption remains the deadliest form of hazing, leading to multiple tragic, yet preventable, deaths that have reshaped anti-hazing efforts:

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (February 2017): Timothy, a 19-year-old pledge, died after a bid-acceptance event where he was forced to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol. Fraternity security cameras captured him falling repeatedly, suffering traumatic brain injuries. His “brothers” waited nearly 12 hours to call for medical help. The incident resulted in dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, extensive civil litigation, and the creation of the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania, a landmark piece of legislation. This case vividly demonstrated how extreme intoxication, a horrific delay in calling 911, and a pervasive culture of silence and cover-up within a fraternity can lead to devastating legal consequences for individuals and the organization.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (November 2017): Andrew, a pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event. He was allegedly given a full handle of liquor to consume. This tragedy led to criminal hazing charges against multiple fraternity members and prompted Florida State University to temporarily suspend all Greek life before overhauling its policies. The Coffey case underscored how formulaic “tradition” drinking nights, presented as mandatory bonding, are repeating scripts for disaster.

• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (September 2017): Max, an 18-year-old pledge, died after participating in an enforced “Bible study” drinking game where pledges were forced to drink whenever they answered questions incorrectly. His blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.495% at the time of his death. Max’s death was pivotal in Louisiana, leading to the enactment of the Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing law that increased criminal penalties. This case showcased how legislative change often follows public outrage and clear, undeniable proof of hazing. The family later reached a $6.1 million verdict against one of the individuals involved, following confidential settlements with others.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (March 2021): Stone, a 20-year-old pledge, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to consume nearly a full bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” reveal event. The incident resulted in multiple criminal convictions for hazing-related charges against fraternity members. Civilly, the Foltz family reached a $10 million settlement in 2023, with approximately $7 million from Pi Kappa Alpha national and nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University. This case highlighted that universities, even public ones, can face significant financial and reputational consequences alongside fraternities, and that national organizations are held directly accountable for their chapters’ patterns of behavior.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Beyond alcohol, physically brutal and ritualized hazing continues to cause severe injury and death:

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (December 2013): Michael, a pledge, sustained fatal head injuries during a fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. He was blindfolded, weighted down with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual. Fraternity members delayed seeking medical attention for hours. This horrific incident resulted in multiple members being convicted and, significantly, the national fraternity itself was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, leading to its permanent ban from Pennsylvania for a decade. The Deng case emphasizes that off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous or even more so than parties at chapter houses, and that national organizations can face severe sanctions, including criminal liability.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is not confined to Greek life; it also pervades athletic programs, often under the guise of “team building”:

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): A scandal erupted when former football players alleged widespread sexualized, racist, and physically abusive hazing within the prestigious football program over multiple years. Reports included forced sexual acts, racial taunts, and humiliating rituals. This led to multiple lawsuits against Northwestern University and coaching staff. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired and later filed a wrongful-termination suit, which was confidentially settled in August 2025. This case was a stark reminder that hazing extends far beyond Greek life, with big-money athletic programs capable of harboring systemic abuse, often shielded by institutional loyalty and a winning culture.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These national case patterns underscore several critical issues for families in Combine and across Texas:

• Common Threads: The repeated appearance of forced drinking, humiliating acts, physical violence, delayed or denied medical care, and concerted cover-up efforts highlights a pervasive and predictable set of dangerous behaviors.
• Catalyst for Change: Reforms, heightened awareness, and multi-million-dollar settlements or verdicts often follow only after a tragedy has occurred and diligent, aggressive litigation compels accountability.
• Legal Landscape: Texas families facing hazing incidents at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor are not isolated. They are operating in a legal and social landscape that has been profoundly shaped by these national lessons, providing a basis for legal action and institutional reform right here in Texas.

Texas Focus: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

For families in Combine and the surrounding Dallas County areas, knowing the specific landscape of hazing at prominent Texas universities is essential. While Combine itself doesn’t host a major university, many students from our community attend these institutions, and the patterns of behavior at these schools directly impact how hazing is confronted across the state. Each campus has a unique culture, but all share the challenge of eradicating hazing. We will examine what these key Texas universities are doing, and what parents and students need to know.

University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston, a vibrant urban campus with a diverse student body, has a robust Greek life and numerous student organizations, all of which fall under the university’s anti-hazing policies. For Combine families sending their children to Houston, UH’s policies and past incidents offer important insights.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH is a large, public research university deeply integrated into the city of Houston, where Attorney911 is proudly based. It features a mix of commuter and residential students and a lively campus life. Its Greek community includes a wide array of fraternities and sororities from various councils (HPC, IFC, MGC, NPHC), alongside numerous other student associations, sports clubs, and cultural groups.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting

UH explicitly prohibits hazing, both on-campus and off-campus. Its comprehensive policy, enforced by the Dean of Students and the Office of Student Conduct, forbids any act that endangers mental or physical health for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. This includes, but is not limited to, forced consumption of alcohol or drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and any activity causing mental distress or humiliation. UH provides clear reporting channels through its Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). The university also posts some disciplinary information and an official hazing statement on its website.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

UH has a history of addressing hazing incidents, demonstrating the university’s commitment to enforce its policies:

• 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case: Pledges of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity (Pi Kappa Alpha’s national organization has a history of severe hazing incidents, as seen in the national anchor cases like Stone Foltz’s death) were allegedly subjected to extreme deprivation of food, water, and sleep during a multi-day event. One student reportedly suffered a lacerated spleen after being slammed onto a table or similar surface. This led to misdemeanor hazing charges against individuals and the chapter faced university suspension.
• Over the years, other fraternities and student organizations at UH have faced disciplinary actions, including suspensions and probations, for behavior deemed “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” involving instances of alcohol misuse and policy violations.

These incidents highlight UH’s efforts to suspend chapters found in violation. However, like many institutions, the public details of these violations may not always be as comprehensive or easily accessible as those from institutions known for greater transparency.

How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

If a hazing incident occurs at UH, the following agencies might be involved:

• University of Houston Police Department (UHPD): For incidents on campus or directly involving UH students.
• Houston Police Department (HPD): For off-campus incidents within the city limits.
• Civil lawsuits against liable parties (individuals, chapter, national organization, and potentially the university) would typically be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Houston and Harris County. Combine families would interact with law enforcement and legal teams in the greater Houston area.

Potential defendants could include individual students, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, and potentially the university itself, along with any property owners involved.

What UH Students & Parents Should Do

For Combine families with students at UH or considering UH:

• Familiarize yourselves with UH’s hazing policies: Understand what constitutes hazing according to the university and how to report it via the Dean of Students or UHPD.
• Document everything: If hazing is suspected, keep meticulous records of dates, times, communications, and any physical evidence.
• Be aware of patterns: Research any specific fraternity or sorority for its history, both at UH and nationally.
• Legal consultation: Speaking with a lawyer experienced in Houston-based hazing cases can help uncover prior discipline and internal files that may not be publicly accessible, and provide guidance specific to the Houston legal environment.

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, a storied institution known for its strong traditions and the Corps of Cadets, presents its own unique challenges and cultural backdrop where hazing can unfortunately occur. For Combine families, particularly those with a history of military service or who value deep-rooted traditions, understanding A&M’s approach is critical.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M in College Station is steeped in tradition, with a fiercely loyal alumni base and a strong military culture embodied by its Corps of Cadets. Its Greek life is also significant, with a large number of fraternities and sororities (CPC, IFC, MGC, NPHC). The campus environment, with its emphasis on honor and tradition, can sometimes inadvertently foster conditions where hazing is disguised as “respect” or “earning your Aggie Ring.”

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting

Texas A&M has robust anti-hazing policies, outlined by the Division of Student Affairs, prohibiting hazing by any student organization on or off campus. The university encourages reporting through various channels, including the Division of Student Affairs, Student Conduct Office, Residence Life, and the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD). The Corps of Cadets also has specific regulations and reporting procedures for hazing within its ranks.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Texas A&M has faced its share of hazing allegations and incidents that illustrate the dual challenge of Greek life and Corps traditions:

• 2021 Sigma Alpha Epsilon lawsuit: Two pledges of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity (whose national organization has a history of severe hazing incidents, including those at the national level and other Texas chapters) alleged they were subjected to strenuous physical activity and had substances, including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, poured on them. This allegedly caused severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The pledges sued the fraternity for $1 million, and the local chapter was suspended by the university for two years.
• 2023 Corps of Cadets lawsuit: A former cadet alleged degrading and brutal hazing, including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million in damages. While the university stated it handled the matter under its rules, this incident brought significant attention to hazing within the Corps.

These incidents highlight the university’s challenge in balancing deeply ingrained traditions with the imperative to prevent hazing, sometimes leading to accusations that its internal processes are insufficient.

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases at Texas A&M might involve:

• Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD) for campus incidents.
• College Station Police Department or Brazos County Sheriff’s Office for off-campus incidents.
• Civil litigation against individual perpetrators, the chapter, the national organization, property owners, and potentially the university would be filed in courts with jurisdiction over College Station and Brazos County. For Combine families, this means navigating the legal system in Central East Texas.

What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do

For Combine families with students at A&M:

• Understand the unique culture: Be aware of the strong emphasis on tradition within both Greek life and the Corps, and distinguish between legitimate challenges and abusive hazing.
• Reporting options: Know the specific channels for reporting hazing within the Corps and Greek life, and to the university’s Student Conduct office.
• Document any injuries: The SAE chemical burn case is a stark reminder to document even apparently minor injuries, as they can escalate into severe harm.
• Legal expertise: An attorney experienced with A&M’s legal environment understands the complexities of hazing within its unique traditions and can provide crucial advice.

University of Texas at Austin (UT)

The University of Texas at Austin, a flagship institution, is known for its academic rigor, vibrant student life, and prominent Greek system. UT provides a level of transparency regarding hazing incidents that is often lauded, offering important public records for Combine families to review.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT Austin, located in the state capital, is a large, prestigious university with a diverse student body and a highly visible Greek system. Its campus culture often blends academic excellence with strong social engagement, including a robust network of fraternities and sororities (UPC, IFC, TAPC, NPHC) and numerous other student organizations. This environment, while enriching, also presents opportunities for hazing to occur—sometimes under the guise of “tradition” or “spirit.”

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting

UT Austin has a strict anti-hazing policy, clearly defined by the Dean of Students. Hazing is prohibited whether on or off campus, and the university maintains a strong commitment to preventing it. UT is particularly notable for its publicly accessible Hazing Violations page (hazing.utexas.edu), which lists organizations, dates of incidents, descriptions of conduct, and sanctions imposed. This online database is a valuable resource for transparency. Reporting channels include the Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, the Title IX Coordinator (if sexual misconduct is involved), and the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD).

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

UT Austin’s public database offers numerous examples of hazing incidents and the university’s responses:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity (Pike) was sanctioned for directing new members to consume large quantities of milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, actions that were deemed hazing. The chapter was placed on probation and required to implement new hazing-prevention education. This incident echoes Pike’s national pattern of problematic “Big/Little” or pledge events.
• Texas Wranglers: This university spirit organization has faced disciplinary actions for various hazing violations, including forced drinking, demeaning acts, and excessive physical exertions.
• Other Greek and Spirit Organizations: Multiple fraternities, sororities, and spirit groups have been sanctioned for violations ranging from alcohol-related hazing and forced servitude to physical beatings and psychological torment. UT’s public log frequently details incidents involving forced workouts, blindfolding, and other common hazing tactics.

The sustained appearance of repeated violations on UT’s public log, despite university sanctions, underscores the persistence of hazing as a challenge. However, UT’s transparency provides invaluable, pre-existing evidence for any future legal action.

How a UT Hazing Case Might Proceed

Legal proceedings for hazing at UT Austin would typically involve:

• University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) for incidents on campus.
• Austin Police Department (APD) for off-campus incidents.
• Civil lawsuits would be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Austin and Travis County. For Combine families, accessing these local court records or interacting with authorities in Central Texas would be standard.

What UT Students & Parents Should Do

For Combine families with students at UT:

• Utilize UT’s transparency: Actively check the UT Austin Hazing Violations page at hazing.utexas.edu for any reported incidents involving organizations your child is interested in. This provides critical prior knowledge.
• Understand UTPD vs. APD jurisdiction: Know which police force to contact based on the incident’s location.
• Document thoroughly: If an incident occurs, rely on UT’s robust reporting structure while also meticulously documenting everything for your own records.
• Legal counsel: An attorney experienced in hazing litigation at UT Austin can leverage the university’s public records to build a stronger civil case, demonstrating a pattern of institutional knowledge and potential negligence.

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University, a private institution in Dallas, Texas, is renowned for its academic programs and affluent campus community, which includes a prominent Greek life system. For Combine families, SMU’s status as a private university brings a different dynamic to hazing reporting and liability.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU is an elite private university in Dallas, serving a predominantly affluent student body. Its Greek system is a central component of its social life, with a strong presence of Panhellenic Council sororities and Interfraternity Council fraternities, as well as NPHC and MGC chapters. The culture often emphasizes tradition and social prestige, which, in some instances, can create environments susceptible to hazing.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting

SMU has a strict anti-hazing policy, clearly articulated and enforced by its Office of Student Affairs. The policy prohibits hazing on or off campus and outlines various reporting mechanisms, including directly to the Dean of Students, the Office of the Title IX Coordinator, or through anonymous reporting systems like “Real Response.” SMU regularly communicates its commitment to hazing prevention and often imposes severe sanctions, including suspensions, for violations.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

While SMU does not publicly list its hazing violations in the same detailed manner as UT Austin, incidents have been documented and addressed internally:

• Kappa Alpha Order incident (2017): The Kappa Alpha Order fraternity was suspended by the university after reports of new members being allegedly paddled, forced to consume alcohol, and deprived of sleep. The chapter faced severe restrictions on recruiting and activities for an extended period. (Kappa Alpha Order is one of the fraternities with a national history of hazing incidents, including a significant wrongful death verdict in the Chad Meredith case.)
• Other fraternities and sororities at SMU have faced disciplinary actions, including social probation and suspension of activities, for various policy violations related to alcohol misuse, inappropriate new member activities, and hazing.

Unlike public universities, SMU’s status as a private institution can affect the public accessibility of detailed disciplinary records. However, this does not shield them from liability.

How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

For hazing incidents at SMU:

• SMU Police Department (SMU PD) would handle campus incidents.
• Dallas Police Department (DPD) would handle off-campus incidents within Dallas city limits.
• Civil lawsuits would be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Dallas and Dallas County. Combine families would find themselves engaging with the legal system within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

A key difference with private universities like SMU is that they typically have fewer protections under sovereign immunity compared to public institutions. This can sometimes make direct claims against the university more straightforward.

What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

For Combine families with students at SMU:

• Understand private institution reporting: Be proactive in using SMU’s internal reporting channels, including anonymous systems.
• Comprehensive documentation: Since public records may be scarcer, meticulously document any suspected hazing yourself, including text messages, photos, and personal accounts.
• Consider legal counsel: An attorney experienced in hazing litigation at private universities can help navigate the unique aspects of discovery, compelling internal records, and pursuing claims against private institutions and their associated entities.

Baylor University

Baylor University, a Baptist university in Waco, occupies a unique position in the Texas higher education landscape. While known for its strong religious affiliation, it has not been immune to hazing incidents, underscoring that no institution is exempt from this pervasive problem. For Combine families, Baylor’s history and values add another layer to its approach to hazing.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor University, located in Waco, is the world’s largest Baptist university. It cultivates a distinct culture rooted in its Christian mission, which emphasizes community, service, and ethical conduct. Despite its values, Baylor hosts an active Greek life (Panhellenic, IFC, NPHC, MGC) and a prominent athletic program. The interplay between traditional behaviors, a desire for integration, and the university’s oversight capacity can create complex hazing scenarios.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting

Baylor has a comprehensive anti-hazing policy that strictly prohibits any physical, mental, or emotional hazing activity in all student organizations, whether on or off campus. The university emphasizes its “zero tolerance” stance and encourages immediate reporting to the Dean of Students, the Baylor University Police Department (BUPD), or through its anonymous reporting mechanisms. Baylor also provides resources and educational materials to foster a hazing-free campus environment.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Baylor has faced scrutiny over various student conduct issues, including hazing, which can be linked to broader institutional oversight challenges:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): Following an investigation into hazing within the baseball program, 14 players were suspended. The university’s response involved staggering these suspensions over the early season to maintain team functionality, highlighting the university’s difficult balance between accountability and program continuity.
• While specific Greek life hazing incidents may not be as readily publicized as those at institutions like UT, Baylor’s history includes allegations and actions against fraternities and other student groups for policy violations related to alcohol, new member activities, and conduct deemed inconsistent with university values.

These incidents, particularly in athletics, put into context Baylor’s broader commitment to student safety amidst its distinct culture and sometimes scrutinized administrative responses to prior misconduct (e.g., the high-profile sexual assault scandal that led to significant changes in leadership and policy).

How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed

Legal proceedings for hazing at Baylor would involve:

• Baylor University Police Department (BUPD) for incidents on campus.
• Waco Police Department or McLennan County Sheriff’s Office for off-campus incidents within the Waco area.
• Civil lawsuits would be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Waco and McLennan County. Combine families would access the legal system in Central Texas.

Baylor, as a private university, generally has fewer governmental immunity protections than public institutions, which can simplify the process of pursuing claims directly against the university for negligence or other civil causes of action.

What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

For Combine families with students at Baylor:

• Familiarize with Baylor’s specific policies: Understand how Baylor’s anti-hazing stance is intertwined with its broader code of conduct and values.
• Report promptly: Use Baylor’s official and anonymous reporting channels immediately if you suspect hazing.
• Document evidence: As with all cases, meticulous documentation of any injuries, communications, or events is crucial.
• Seek specialized legal advice: An attorney experienced with Baylor’s institutional context and the nuances of private university litigation can offer invaluable guidance, especially in light of the university’s past oversight challenges.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

Understanding that a local chapter in Texas is part of a larger national organization is critical for Combine families. Many fraternities and sororities present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor are not isolated clubs; they are components of large national bodies with extensive histories, comprehensive policies, and unfortunately, often a recurring pattern of hazing.

Why National Histories Matter

The national headquarters of fraternities and sororities typically publish thick manuals detailing anti-hazing policies and risk management guidelines. These policies exist precisely because these organizations have witnessed deaths and catastrophic injuries in the past at chapters across the country. They are aware of the common patterns: forced drinking nights, paddling traditions, humiliating rituals, and the pressure dynamic within new member periods.

When a local chapter in Texas repeats such scripts—scripts that have led to suspensions, lawsuits, or even criminal charges for other chapters of the same national organization in different states—it speaks directly to foreseeability. This pattern of behavior is a powerful argument in civil lawsuits, supporting claims of negligence, gross negligence, and even punitive damages against the national entities. It demonstrates that the national organization knew, or reasonably should have known, the inherent dangers of these “traditions” but failed to adequately prevent them.

Organization Mapping (Synthesized)

While an exhaustive list of every chapter with a hazing history is impossible to maintain, certain patterns and organizations frequently appear in national hazing reports. For Combine families, recognizing these names connected to the local campuses can be insightful.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike): A prominent fraternity on many campuses, including UH, Texas A&M, UT, and Baylor. Nationally, Pi Kappa Alpha has been linked to numerous severe hazing incidents. The tragic Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green State University in 2021 (a $10 million settlement) stemmed from a “Big/Little” event involving forced alcohol consumption, a pattern the national organization had been warned about repeatedly. Similar alcohol-related hazing and physical abuse has been reported at other Pike chapters, establishing a clear pattern of dangerous initiations that courts take seriously.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and SMU. SAE has a particularly troubling national history, with multiple hazing-related deaths and severe injuries nationwide over the past few decades. Nationally, SAE even eliminated its traditional “pledge” process in 2014 in an attempt to curb hazing, though incidents continue. Locally, as noted, the Texas A&M chapter faced a $1 million lawsuit in 2021 for chemical burns inflicted on pledges, and a UT Austin chapter faced claims in 2024 related to an alleged assault during a party, following prior suspensions. These incidents highlight a national organization that frequently faces severe allegations, making cases involving this fraternity critical to watch.

• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): Found at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor. This fraternity tragically gained national notoriety with the Max Gruver death at Louisiana State University in 2017, where a “Bible study” drinking game led to fatal alcohol poisoning. This case led to Louisiana’s felony anti-hazing law. The national organization has thus been unequivocally put on notice regarding the lethal dangers of forced drinking rituals within its chapters.

• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): Active at UH, Texas A&M, and UT. Pi Kappa Phi was implicated in the Andrew Coffey death at Florida State University in 2017, another case of fatal alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event. This incident highlighted the often-deadly consequences of unsupervised, high-volume alcohol consumption in hazing rituals.

• Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ): With chapters at Texas A&M and SMU, Kappa Alpha Order has a national history of hazing. Famously, the wrongful death case of Chad Meredith at the University of Miami in 2001 (a $12.6 million jury verdict) involved a drowning after being persuaded by fraternity members to swim across a lake while intoxicated. The SMU chapter, as discussed, also faced suspension for hazing in 2017.

• Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and SMU. This fraternity is tragically associated with the Timothy Piazza death at Penn State in 2017, a case that became a national rallying cry against hazing, leading to increased criminal charges and legislative reform. The national organization has faced intense scrutiny and liability from this and other incidents.

• Other Organizations: Beyond those with the most prominent national incidents, numerous fraternities and sororities (including some NPHC and MGC chapters) across all Texas campuses have faced severe hazing allegations or disciplinary actions, locally and nationally. This includes Lambda Phi Epsilon (linked to multiple hazing deaths), Omega Psi Phi (facing a federal lawsuit in 2023 for alleged severe beatings and injuries), and Sigma Chi (with a $10 million+ settlement for severe hazing at College of Charleston).

This pattern shows that certain dangerous methodologies often recur across chapters and organizations, demonstrating a systemic problem that national bodies are often aware of, even if they claim otherwise.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy

For Combine families considering legal action after a hazing incident, these national and campus-specific histories are crucial components of a legal strategy:

• Foreseeability and Pattern Evidence: A skilled hazing attorney can present evidence that the national organization had prior warnings about specific hazing tactics but failed to act effectively. The repeated occurrence of similar incidents across states and campuses clearly demonstrates that these were not isolated, “rogue” acts but rather foreseeable dangers.
• Institutional Accountability: Courts often consider whether national organizations and universities genuinely enforced their anti-hazing policies or if these policies were mere “paper policies,” ignored in practice. Evidence that prior violations resulted in minor punishments or incomplete investigations strengthens arguments for institutional negligence.
• Impact on Litigation: This type of evidence can significantly affect several aspects of a civil lawsuit:
  • Settlement Leverage: A strong showing of pattern evidence can compel national organizations and their insurers to offer more substantial settlements.
  • Insurance Coverage: It can help overcome defense arguments that hazing was an “unforeseeable” or “intentional” act excluded from coverage, by demonstrating that the institution’s negligent supervision was the covered claim.
  • Punitive Damages: In appropriate cases, evidence of conscious disregard for known risks and repeated failures to act can support claims for punitive damages, designed to punish wrongdoers and deter future misconduct.

By linking local incidents to broader national patterns, we can demonstrate that institutions often have ample knowledge of specific dangers associated with hazing but fail to take concrete, preventative action.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

For Combine families navigating the aftermath of a hazing incident, building a strong legal case demands a meticulous and aggressive approach. Modern hazing cases are won or lost based on the quality and quantity of evidence collected, the ability to demonstrate the full scope of damages, and a clear legal strategy.

Evidence: The Cornerstones of Your Case

Evidence in hazing cases can be fleeting, but it is powerful when preserved. Our firm, Attorney911, emphasizes the immediate and systematic collection of every possible piece of information.

• Digital Communications: In 2025, group chats and direct messages (DMs) are often the smoking gun. Platforms like GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, and various fraternity-specific apps are where plans are made, orders are given, and events are documented. We look for screenshots of full threads, showing senders, timestamps, and context, to reveal planning, intent, knowledge, and who was involved. Even “disappearing” messages on Snapchat or Instagram can sometimes be recovered or documented through screen recordings. This forms a critical part of the modern hazing investigation. Our video, “Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs), offers practical advice on this vital task.

• Photos & Videos: Content filmed by members during hazing events, either for their own amusement or to prove compliance, can be damning. This includes footage shared in group chats, on social media, or even Snapchat memories. Additionally, security camera footage, doorbell cameras, or public surveillance at houses and venues where hazing occurred can provide objective evidence of what transpired. Photos of injuries are also crucial.

• Internal Organization Documents: These include pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “traditions” lists, and communications from officers regarding new member activities. National policies and training materials can reveal what the organization should have done. These documents provide insight into the hazing culture and the organization’s knowledge or inaction.

• University Records: Universities often possess crucial evidence:

  • Prior conduct files related to the same chapter (probations, suspensions, warnings).
  • Incident reports from campus police or student conduct offices.
  • Clery Act reports and similar disclosures that show patterns of unsafe activity.
  • For public universities like UT Austin, their public hazing violations page (hazing.utexas.edu) is an invaluable resource, often demonstrating a history of ignored warnings.

• Medical and Psychological Records: These document the physical and mental toll of hazing. Emergency room reports, hospitalization records, surgery and rehabilitation notes, and toxicology reports are vital. Equally important are psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation resulting from the trauma of hazing.

• Witness Testimony: Beyond the victim, other pledges, current members, roommates, Resident Assistants (RAs), coaches, trainers, or even bystanders can offer critical accounts. Former members who quit or were expelled, often due to hazing, can provide an insider’s perspective on the chapter’s culture.

Damages: Recovering Your Losses

The law recognizes that hazing inflicts significant and often catastrophic harm. In plain English, the main categories of damages available in hazing cases are designed to compensate victims and their families for these losses:

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This covers all healthcare costs, from immediate emergency room visits and intensive care to surgeries, ongoing treatment, physical therapy, and medications. For severe injuries like traumatic brain injury or organ damage, it can include the cost of long-term care for the remainder of the victim’s life.

• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: Hazing often disrupts education, leading to missed semesters, academic setbacks, and a delayed entry into the workforce. For victims with permanent injuries, it can result in a diminished future earning capacity, requiring economic experts to calculate lifetime wage losses. It can also include lost scholarships or tuition for missed semesters.

• Non-Economic Damages: These cover the subjective but deeply impactful harms that hazing inflicts:

  • Physical pain and suffering from injuries and ongoing discomfort.
  • Emotional distress, trauma, and humiliation that can lead to diagnosed conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life, representing the inability to participate in activities, hobbies, or social engagements once enjoyed.

• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): In the most tragic hazing cases, where a student dies, surviving family members (parents, spouses, children) can recover for:

  • Funeral and burial costs.
  • Loss of financial support and inheritance the deceased would have provided.
  • Loss of companionship, love, guidance, and society, representing the profound emotional void left by their passing.
  • The emotional pain and grief endured by the family.

It’s vital to stress that we are describing types of damages, not promising or predicting specific dollar amounts. Every case is unique, and calculations are complex, often requiring expert testimony.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing cases often involve multiple layers of potential defendants, each with their own insurance policies. National fraternities, sororities, and universities typically carry significant insurance coverage that may be triggered in hazing lawsuits.

However, insurers often try to argue that:

• Acts of hazing or intentional assault are explicitly excluded from coverage.
• Their policy doesn’t cover certain defendants (e.g., individual students vs. the national organization).

Experienced hazing lawyers at Attorney911 are skilled at navigating these complex insurance disputes. We:

• Identify all potential sources of coverage, including chapter policies, national policies, university umbrella policies, and even homeowners’ policies of individual perpetrators.
• Fight fiercely against wrongful denials of coverage, often re-framing the claim from an “intentional act” (which may be excluded) to one of negligent supervision or failure to protect (which is frequently covered).
• Challenge disputes about exclusions and policy language to maximize recovery for our clients.

Lupe Peña, one of our skilled attorneys, brings invaluable insight from her past experience as an insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/). She understands their playbook because she used to run it, giving us a significant advantage in these complex, high-stakes negotiations.

Practical Guides & FAQs

For Combine families and students navigating a hazing incident, knowing what to do and what to avoid in the immediate aftermath can make all the difference. This section provides actionable advice for parents, students, and witnesses, as well as crucial warnings about common mistakes.

For Parents in Combine

The signs of hazing can be subtle at first, evolving into clear distress. Here’s what parents in Combine should look for:

• Warning signs of hazing: Unexplained bruises, burns, or repeated “accidents” that don’t add up. Sudden, extreme exhaustion or severe sleep deprivation. Drastic changes in mood, increased anxiety, social withdrawal, or depression. Constant, secretive phone use, especially for group chats, and a palpable fear of missing “mandatory” events.
• How to talk to your child: Approach with empathy. Ask open-ended questions like, “How are things really going with the fraternity/sorority?” Emphasize that their safety and well-being are paramount, and you will support them regardless of their choices or fears. Reassure them they will not be judged.
• If your child is hurt: Immediately seek medical attention. Document everything—take clear photos of any injuries (with a date/time stamp if possible), ask about all communications (texts, DMs, group chats), and write down every detail they tell you: who, what, when, where.
• Dealing with the university: Document every communication, including emails and names of administrators you speak with. Ask pointedly if the university has a record of prior incidents involving the same organization and what actions were taken.
• When to talk to a lawyer: If your child has sustained any significant physical or psychological harm, or if you feel the university or organization is minimizing, delaying, or actively hiding what happened, it’s time to consult with an experienced hazing attorney.

For Students / Pledges

If you’re a student or pledge in Combine, attending a Texas university, and find yourself questioning your new member experience, here’s crucial advice:

• Is this hazing or just tradition?: A simple rule of thumb: If you feel unsafe, humiliated, or coerced; if you’re forced to consume alcohol or endure pain; if the activity is something that has to be hidden from the public or administrators—then it probably is hazing, regardless of what they call it.
• Why “consent” isn’t the end of the story: Understand that Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Your desire to belong, fear of exclusion, and the power dynamics at play mean that true “consent” often doesn’t exist in these situations. You shouldn’t be penalized for seeking to be part of a group.
• Exiting and reporting safely: You have the right to leave any organization at any time. When you decide to leave, informing someone outside the organization first (a trusted friend, RA, parent) can create a safeguard. You can report privately or anonymously through campus channels, specific university hotlines (like hazing.utexas.edu’s anonymous form), or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE.
• Good-faith reporting and amnesty: Many schools, and Texas law, have policies that offer protections or amnesty for individuals who call for help in an emergency, even if underage drinking or other minor rule violations occurred. Your safety is paramount.

For Former Members / Witnesses

If you are a former member, or a witness to hazing at a Texas university, and are grappling with guilt or fear about what you’ve seen or participated in:

• Your testimony and evidence could be instrumental in preventing future harm and saving lives.
• Consulting with a lawyer can clarify your legal position, including potential immunity or leniency for cooperating with authorities. It is possible to help victims and contribute to accountability, even if you were previously involved.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

For Combine families, the immediate actions taken (or not taken) after a suspected hazing incident are critical. Avoiding these common errors can profoundly impact your ability to seek justice:

MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR HAZING CASE:

1. Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

   • Why it’s wrong: This looks like a cover-up, can be considered obstruction of justice, and makes prosecuting a case nearly impossible.
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately—screenshots of group chats, texts, photos, even embarrassing content.

2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly

   • Why it’s wrong: This alerts them immediately, prompting them to lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare their defenses. It also places your child at risk of retaliation.
   • What to do instead: Document everything privately, then call a lawyer before any direct confrontation.

3. Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms

   • Why it’s wrong: Universities often pressure families to sign waivers or agree to “internal resolution” that can waive your right to pursue legal action. Early settlements are almost always far below the true value of the case.
   • What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything from the university without an attorney reviewing it first.

4. Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer

   • Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys and insurers monitor social media. Everything posted will be screenshotted and used against you. Inconsistencies can severely hurt credibility.
   • What to do instead: Document privately. Let your lawyer control public messaging to protect the integrity of your case.

5. Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”

   • Why it’s wrong: Once you’re considering legal action, any request for your child to “talk to us” or attend “one last meeting” is almost always an attempt to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that will hurt the case.
   • What to do instead: Once you’re considering legal action, all communication from the organization should be directed to your lawyer.

6. Waiting “to see how the university handles it”

   • Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears rapidly, witnesses graduate or forget details, the statute of limitations continues to run, and the university’s internal process prioritizes institutional reputation, not necessarily your child’s full legal rights or recovery.
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW. Consult with a lawyer immediately. The university process is separate from pursuing real legal accountability.

7. Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer

   • Why it’s wrong: Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Recorded statements will be used against you, and early settlement offers are almost always lowball.
   • What to do instead: Politely decline to speak with them and state, “My attorney will contact you.”

For a deeper dive into these pitfalls, Attorney911’s video, “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY), offers critical insights.

Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individual employees in their personal capacity. Private universities like SMU and Baylor typically have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on its specific facts—contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.

• “Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
  It can be. While hazing is a Class B misdemeanor by default in Texas, it escalates to a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers and members can also face criminal charges for failing to report hazing.

• “Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
  Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts and juries recognize that “consent” given under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent.

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in Texas?”
  Generally, there is a 2-year statute of limitations from the date of injury or death in Texas. However, the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving deliberate cover-ups or fraud, the statute may be “tolled” (paused). Time is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations may destroy records. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately. More details on the statute of limitations can be found in our video, “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c).

• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  The location of the hazing does not eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on their sponsorship, control, knowledge, and the foreseeability of the off-campus event. Many major hazing cases (like the Pi Delta Psi retreat death and the Sigma Pi unofficial house death) occurred off-campus and still resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments against responsible parties.

• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial, and our firm can often request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy interests while pursuing comprehensive accountability.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

For Combine families facing the profound trauma of hazing, you need legal representation that understands not just the law, but the unique cultural dynamics and institutional resistance inherent in these cases. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, is a Houston-based Texas personal injury firm with deep experience in serious injury, wrongful death, and institutional accountability cases. From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Combine and the surrounding Dallas County region. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families in Combine and across the region, and we are dedicated to bringing justice to affected students and their families.

We are uniquely qualified to handle the complex challenges of hazing litigation:

• Insurance Insider Advantage with Lupe Peña: One of our skilled attorneys, Lupe Peña, brings invaluable insight from her past experience as an insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/). She knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and often undervalue) hazing claims, anticipates their delay tactics, and understands their arguments for coverage exclusions and settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions with Ralph Manginello: Our managing partner, Ralph P. Manginello, has over 25 years of experience, including taking on some of the largest corporations. He was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation and has extensive federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas). We are not intimidated by national fraternities, powerful universities, or their well-funded defense teams. We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We know how to fight powerful defendants from our primary Houston office, across Texas. Ralph’s full credentials are at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.

• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, often collaborating with economists to accurately value profound losses caused by hazing. Our experience includes valuing lifetime care needs for catastrophic injuries, as seen in cases involving brain injury or permanent disability. We meticulously build cases that force accountability, not just compromise, from all responsible parties.

• Dual Civil and Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the prestigious Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) provides a deep understanding of criminal hazing charges. This means we can competently advise families and even witnesses on how criminal hazing charges can interact with civil litigation, navigating both aspects of a case.

• Investigative Depth and Modern Evidence Collection: We have a robust network of experts, including medical specialists, digital forensics experts, economists, and psychologists. We meticulously pursue hidden evidence, including recovering deleted group chats, accessing social media evidence, and uncovering university and national fraternity files through aggressive discovery and public records requests. Our video, “Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs), illustrates our commitment to modern evidence collection.

We understand just how fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, and athletic departments operate their new member processes and internal cultures. We know what makes hazing cases distinct: often facing powerful institutional defendants with experienced defense lawyers, battling complex insurance coverage disputes, and balancing victim privacy with the need for public accountability. We also know how to prove coercion within Greek culture and tradition.

We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our job is to get you answers, hold the right people accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. We view our mission as holistic: pursuing thorough investigation and real accountability, not just quick settlements. We’re here to be your Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

Call to Action for Combine Families and All Texans:

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in Combine and throughout the surrounding Dallas County region have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward.

You can expect us to:

• Listen to your story with empathy and without judgment.
• Review any evidence you have, such as photos, texts, or medical records.
• Explain your legal options, including criminal reports, civil lawsuits, or both.
• Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect during the legal process.
• Answer your questions about legal fees; we operate on a contingency fee basis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc), meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case.
• There is no pressure to hire us on the spot—take the time you need to decide.
• Everything you tell us is confidential.

Contact Attorney911 Today:

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com

Hablamos Español – Servicios legales en español disponibles. Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for a consultation in Spanish.

Whether you’re in Combine or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Call us today.

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 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com