Hazing, Fraternities & Sororities, and the Law in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Lipscomb County Families

When you send your child to college in Texas, you imagine lecture halls, football games, and lasting friendships. You don’t imagine secret rituals, forced drinking, or hospital stays. For families across the Texas Panhandle, including right here in Lipscomb County, the reality of modern campus life can include a hidden world of hazing that operates within fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, and spirit groups. This is not just about “boys will be boys” or harmless tradition; it is about systematic abuse that can lead to catastrophic injury, lifelong trauma, and even death.

Right now, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly lost his life pledging the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The allegations are severe: forced consumption of food until vomiting, hours of extreme calisthenics, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack.” This abuse led to rhabdomyolysis—a severe muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces a lifelong risk of permanent kidney damage. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was swiftly suspended and then shut down, but the physical and psychological harm to Leonel remains.

This is happening in our state. If your child is at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Southern Methodist University, Baylor, or any of the other 96 colleges across Texas, they could be at risk. For parents in Lipscomb County, whose children may attend West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas Tech in Lubbock, or any major university hours from home, distance does not provide safety. Hazing follows national patterns, and the same dangerous traditions practiced in Houston or College Station can surface anywhere students seek belonging.

This guide is for you. We will explain what hazing truly looks like in 2025, break down Texas and federal law, examine the national cases that set the precedent, and provide a detailed look at the Greek ecosystems at Texas’s major universities. Our goal is to arm you with knowledge, not fear. If the worst has happened, we will explain the legal path forward and how our firm, with our unique data-driven approach and insider experience, fights for families like yours across Texas.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call us: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.

In the first 48 hours, critical steps include:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” a medical evaluation documents injuries and can reveal internal damage like rhabdomyolysis.
2. Preserve Digital Evidence: Screenshot ALL group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), social media posts, and DMs immediately—before they are deleted. Our video on using your cellphone to document evidence explains best practices.
3. Document Physically: Photograph any injuries from multiple angles. Save any physical objects involved (clothing, paddles, bottles).
4. Write Everything Down: Record names, dates, locations, and what your child tells you while memories are fresh.
5. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
   • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” their phone.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
   • Discuss details on public social media.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24-48 hours. Evidence vanishes quickly, and institutions move faster to control the narrative than you might think. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

Hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypical “hell week” of paddling. It is a calculated system of control, humiliation, and risk-taking disguised as tradition or bonding. For Lipscomb County families, whose children may be experiencing this far from home, understanding the modern tactics is the first step to recognition.

Hazing is defined by Texas law as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation into any organization. Crucially, consent is not a defense. The power imbalance between new members and established members, coupled with the fear of social exclusion, creates coercion, not choice.

Modern hazing falls into three escalating tiers:

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – The Foundation of Control

These acts establish power dynamics and are often dismissed as “just how it is.”

• Servitude & Errands: Being on-call 24/7 as a designated driver, cleaning members’ apartments, or running personal errands.
• Social Isolation: Being required to seek permission to socialize with non-members or family.
• Mandated Secrecy: Taking oaths to lie to parents, university officials, or outsiders about activities.
• Digital Monitoring: Required to maintain constant, immediate responses in group chats (GroupMe, Discord) and share live location via apps.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – Causing Deliberate Discomfort

These behaviors cause emotional or physical distress and create a hostile environment.

• Sleep Deprivation: Mandatory late-night “meetings,” 3 AM wake-up calls for tasks, or multi-day events with minimal rest.
• Verbal Abuse & Degradation: Yelling, screaming, insulting, “roasting,” or assigning humiliating nicknames.
• Forced Consumption: Eating excessive amounts of bland food (milk, bread, hot dogs) or unpleasant substances (hot sauce, raw eggs) until illness.
• Purposeful Exhaustion: “Smokings” or extreme, punitive calisthenics (hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits until collapse) framed as “conditioning.”

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – High Potential for Injury or Death

These are the acts that make national headlines and destroy lives.

• Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: This is the most common fatal hazing method. “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, drinking games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mandate drinks, or lineups where pledges must chug rapidly.
• Physical Assault: Paddling, beating, punching, or kicking. This persists despite national bans.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk”), or sexual assault.
• Dangerous “Tests”: Blindfolded tackling rituals (“glass ceiling”), forced fights, swimming while intoxicated, or exposure to extreme cold without proper clothing.
• Kidnapping & Restraint: Being taken to an unknown location blindfolded or being physically bound.

The地点 (Location) Shift: To avoid campus scrutiny, much of today’s most severe hazing occurs off-campus at rented Airbnbs, remote retreats, or private residences owned by alumni—like the Culmore Drive residence and Yellowstone Boulevard Park used in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case. The digital footprint, however, is almost always left behind in group chats and social media.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas Statutes and Your Rights

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, and they apply to conduct on and off campus. For Lipscomb County families, understanding this framework is essential, as cases may involve local county law enforcement, campus police, and courts in the university’s city or your home county.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37 (The Hazing Statute)

• Definition (§37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintaining membership in an organization.
• Criminal Penalties (§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.
  • It is also a crime for an officer or member to fail to report hazing they are aware of.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This is critical. Even if your child “went along with it,” the law recognizes they were operating under peer pressure and coercion. This statute dismantles the most common defense.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Case: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aims to punish with jail, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, or manslaughter. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit.
• Civil Case: Brought by the victim and their family. Aims for financial compensation (damages) and institutional accountability. We sue for negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, and emotional distress. These cases are where we recover funds for medical bills, future care, therapy, and the immense pain and suffering caused.

Federal Law Overlay

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs by 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based abuse, the university has specific, mandatory investigative duties.
• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes, including assaults and alcohol incidents that often coincide with hazing.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Lawsuit?

In a case like Leonel Bermudez’s, we name every entity that failed in its duty. This can include:

1. The Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As an unincorporated association or via its housing corporation.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: For failing to supervise, enforce its own policies, or heed prior warnings from other chapters.
4. The University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to a known risk, or Clery/Title IX violations. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some immunity, but exceptions exist.
5. Third Parties: Property owners of off-campus houses, alumni advisors, or alcohol providers.

The National Pattern: Why History Repeats Itself

The hazing that injured Leonel Bermudez at UH is not an anomaly. It follows a deadly national script. Understanding these patterns shows how predictable—and therefore preventable—these tragedies are. For Lipscomb County families, these cases demonstrate the serious legal recourse available.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A pledge died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of liquor during a “Big/Little” event. Result: $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). This directly parallels the forced consumption allegations in the UH case.
• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid-acceptance night of extreme drinking. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, sweeping civil litigation, and a new Pennsylvania anti-hazing law.
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Died from alcohol toxicity after a “Bible study” drinking game. Result: The Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana, and his family secured a $6.1 million verdict.
• Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. Result: Settlements with 22 defendants, showcasing the multi-party liability we pursue.
• Texas A&M, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021): Pledges alleged they were doused with industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The chapter was suspended, and a lawsuit was filed.

The Takeaway: National fraternities have seen these tragedies before. Their insurance companies have paid out millions. When a Texas chapter repeats the same dangerous “tradition,” it shows foreseeability—a key legal concept that strengthens claims against the national organization for failing to prevent it.

The Texas University Landscape: A Guide for Lipscomb County Families

Lipscomb County students attend universities across the state. While many head to nearby Panhandle schools like West Texas A&M University in Canyon or Texas Tech University in Lubbock, others choose major hubs like Texas A&M, UT Austin, or the University of Houston. Each campus has its own Greek ecosystem and history of incidents. Here is what families need to know.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX)

• For Lipscomb County: Located just over an hour away in Randall County, WTAMU is a primary destination for local students. Its Greek life is active within the broader Amarillo metro area.
• **Greek Life & recorded entities include organizations like the Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter in Canyon and the Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association in Amarillo, both listed in public records. The Frank Heflin Foundation (EIN 203507402) in Canyon is a recorded Phi Delta Theta alumni fund.
• Hazing Context: As a regional university, its Greek life faces the same national risks. Proximity means Lipscomb County parents may be the first responders to a crisis.

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)

• For Lipscomb County: A major university within driving distance, drawing many Panhandle students.
• Greek Ecosystem: A large, traditional Greek community. Public records show entities like the Epsilon Nu Housing Corporation (EIN 237359384) and Farm House Fraternity Inc. (EIN 751565336) registered in Lubbock.
• Documented Issues: Texas Tech has faced hazing allegations in its Greek system and other organizations. The scale increases the frequency of incidents.

University of Houston – The Flagship Case in Our Backyard

• The Active Case: Our lawsuit, Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi, is the defining hazing case in Texas today. It alleges systemic abuse at the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter leading to kidney failure. The detailed coverage by Click2Houston and ABC13 provides a roadmap of what to look for: secret locations, humiliating rules, and extreme physical demands.
• UH’s Greek Landscape: UH hosts a complex Greek system with Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) chapters. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter is now closed, but the patterns that enabled it exist elsewhere.

Texas A&M University – Corps Culture and Greek Life

• Dual Risk Environments: Texas A&M is unique for its large Corps of Cadets alongside a massive Greek system. Both have faced serious hazing lawsuits.
• Corps Incidents: A 2023 lawsuit alleged a cadet was subjected to degrading hazing, including being bound in a “roasted pig” position. The university stated it handled it internally.
• Greek Incidents: The Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) chapter faced a 2021 lawsuit over pledges suffering severe chemical burns from being doused with cleaner. The chapter was suspended.
• Liability Networks: Texas A&M’s Greek system is supported by a dense network of Texas-registered entities. For example, the Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc. (EIN 133048786) is registered in College Station.

University of Texas at Austin – Public Transparency as a Tool

• Public Hazing Log: UT Austin maintains a public online log of hazing violations, offering a window into recurring issues. For example, Pi Kappa Alpha was sanctioned in 2023 for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
• Lawsuit Activity: The UT chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon was sued in 2024 after an assault on an exchange student.
• Data Point: The Sigma Phi Epsilon Texas Eta organization is recorded with an EIN (824398421) and address in Richmond, TX, showing how alumni and housing entities are woven throughout the state.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

• Private School Dynamics: As private institutions, internal discipline processes can be less transparent, but civil discovery can uncover patterns.
• SMU: Has dealt with hazing suspensions, including a Kappa Alpha Order chapter suspension in 2017 for paddling and forced drinking.
• Baylor: Has faced hazing allegations within its athletic programs, including a 2020 baseball team hazing incident that resulted in multiple player suspensions.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations in Texas

As part of our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain and investigate a database of over 1,400 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros. This is not a list of accusations; it is a directory of publicly registered entities that can hold insurance, assets, and liability. For Lipscomb County families, this demonstrates the complex web of organizations behind simple Greek letters.

This sample illustrates the depth of our investigative starting point:

Entities in the Amarillo Metro & Panhandle Region (Relevant to Lipscomb County):

• Frank Heflin Foundation, EIN 203507402, Canyon, TX 79015 – Recorded as a Phi Delta Theta alumni fund (IRS B83 filing).
• Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter, Canyon, TX – West Texas A&M University chapter (Cause IQ metro listing).
• Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Assn., EIN 752290669, Amarillo, TX 79118 – Chapter housing entity (IRS B83 filing).
• Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Zeta Delta Chapter, Amarillo, TX – Educators’ society chapter (Cause IQ metro listing).

Major Statewide University Hubs (Where Lipscomb County Students Attend):

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc., EIN 133048786, College Station, TX 77845 – Texas A&M affiliated (IRS B83 filing).
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035 – Housing corp for the now-closed UH chapter (IRS B83 filing).
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc., EIN 475370943, Houston, TX 77204 – UH chapter entity (IRS B83 filing).
• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, EIN 746047117, Austin, TX 78705 – UT Austin chapter property (IRS B83 filing).
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc., EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147 – Foundation supporting chapters (IRS B83 filing).

National Brands with Texas Presence (From IRS-Cause IQ Overlap):

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority: Appears in IRS data (EIN 364091267, Waco) and Cause IQ listings for Houston and Beaumont metros, showing statewide reach.
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi: Multiple EINs across Texas (Denton, Tyler, El Paso, Austin, Lubbock, College Station), listed in IRS data and linked to specific universities in Cause IQ.
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity: IRS entity in Nederland, TX (EIN 746064445), linked to Cause IQ listings for Houston alumni and Beaumont chapters.

This data allows us to immediately identify the legal and financial entities behind a chapter, crucial for building a case that maximizes accountability and recovery.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and the Attorney911 Advantage

When hazing causes injury, families face wealthy, sophisticated opponents: national fraternities with deep-pocketed insurers and universities with powerful legal teams. Winning requires more than just a lawyer; it requires a strategic team with insider knowledge and investigative firepower. This is where we excel.

Our Investigative Engine: Turning Data into Leverage

1. Digital Forensics First: We move immediately to preserve and recover digital evidence—GroupMe chats, deleted texts, Instagram stories, Snapchat logs. This evidence shows planning, intent, and cover-up.
2. Mapping the Liability Web: Using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we identify every related entity: the local chapter, its housing corporation, alumni associations, and the national headquarters. Each is a potential source of insurance coverage and assets.
3. Uncovering Institutional Knowledge: We subpoena national fraternity records to find prior incident reports at other chapters. This proves foreseeability—they knew this could happen and didn’t stop it.
4. Medical & Economic Analysis: We work with medical experts to document the full extent of injuries (like the lifelong impact of rhabdomyolysis) and economists to calculate long-term care costs and lost earning potential.

Overcoming the Standard Defenses

We know the playbook because Mr. Lupe Peña used to work on the other side, as an insurance defense attorney. We anticipate and counter every argument:

• “They Consented”: We cite Texas law §37.155 and use digital evidence to show coercion.
• “It Was Off-Campus”: We establish the university’s and national’s duty of care based on sponsorship and knowledge.
• “It Was Rogue Members”: We expose the national organization’s failure to supervise or enforce its policies.
• “Insurance Doesn’t Cover This”: We litigate coverage issues and pursue bad-faith claims against insurers.

The Damages We Fight to Recover

• Economic: All medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, future therapy), lost wages, and reduced future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound grief and loss of companionship suffered by the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of especially reckless or malicious conduct, we seek damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Practical Guides for Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Lipscomb County Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Recognize the Signs: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, personality changes, sudden secrecy, constant anxiety about group chats.
2. Talk Openly: Ask: “Is anything making you uncomfortable in your [fraternity/sorority/team]?” Listen without judgment.
3. In a Crisis: Prioritize safety. Call 911 for medical help. Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911. Help your child preserve evidence on their phone.
4. Document Everything: Create a timeline. Keep a file of all communications with the university.
5. Consult a Lawyer Early: Before making statements to school officials or insurance adjusters. We can guide you through the process and protect your rights.

For Students: Your Safety and Rights

• You Have the Right to Leave: No matter what they’ve told you, you can quit anytime. Your safety is paramount.
• Report Anonymously: Use university hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).
• Preserve Evidence: Screenshot everything. Take photos of injuries. Do not delete anything.
• Seek Medical Care: Be honest with doctors about what happened. This creates a vital record.

Critical Mistakes to Avoid

• Deleting Evidence: It’s natural to feel shame, but deleted messages look like a cover-up and destroy your case.
• Confronting the Chapter: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
• Signing University Papers: Do not sign any “resolution” or waiver without an attorney’s review.
• Waiting: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and statutes of limitations run. Our video on Texas statutes of limitations explains the urgency.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Texas Hazing Case?

When your family is in crisis, you need advocates who are not intimidated by powerful institutions and who understand the exact tactics used against you. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) brings a unique combination of expertise to hazing litigation.

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as a defense attorney for national insurance companies. He knows how fraternity and university insurers value claims, deny coverage, and drag out cases. We use that insider knowledge to counter their strategies from day one.
• Proven Experience Against Giants: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced billion-dollar defendants with endless legal resources. A national fraternity or major university does not scare us.
• Data-Driven Investigation: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from thousands of public records—means we don’t start from scratch. We already know the network of organizations behind the letters on your child’s shirt.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Insight: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal hazing process, which often runs parallel to civil cases. We can advise on all fronts.
• A Track Record of Results: We have recovered millions for victims of catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. We apply that same relentless approach to hazing cases, seeking full accountability, not quick settlements.
• We Serve Lipscomb County and All of Texas: From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we represent families across the state. If your child was hazed at a Texas university, we can help. Se habla Español.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

You do not have to navigate this alone. Contact us for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We will listen to your story, explain your legal options in clear terms, and help you decide the best path for your family. We work on a contingency fee basis—there is no cost to you unless we win your case.

Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ Today:
1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Online: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com (for Spanish)

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston Investigation: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Eyewitness News Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline Summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Using Your Cellphone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:

• Homepage & Contact: https://attorney911.com

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