Hazing at Texas Universities: A Comprehensive Guide for Motley County Families

Your child calls home from college, and something in their voice is different. They sound exhausted, secretive, or afraid. They brush off questions about bruises or mention “mandatory” events that keep them out until 3 AM. For parents in Motley County—in our close-knit communities near Matador, Roaring Springs, and across the wide-open landscapes of the Texas Panhandle—this scenario is a growing nightmare. The traditions of Texas higher education, from the Corps of Cadets to fraternity brotherhood, can sometimes hide dangerous rituals that cross the line into abuse.

Right now, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The allegations are severe: a “pledge fanny pack” containing humiliating items, cold-weather exposure in underwear, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and extreme physical workouts that led to Bermudez developing rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended in November 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

This isn’t just a Houston problem. The same national fraternities and sororities that operate at UH also have chapters at schools where Motley County families send their children: Texas Tech University in Lubbock, West Texas A&M University in Canyon, and other Texas campuses. The patterns of abuse are tragically similar, whether they occur in a Houston fraternity house or a Lubbock apartment. This guide is written specifically for parents and families in Motley County—in Flomot, South Plains, and throughout our county—to help you understand what modern hazing looks like, know your rights under Texas law, and see how national patterns of abuse connect directly to campuses your children may attend.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
  • Call 911 for medical emergencies.
  • Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.
• In the first 48 hours:
  • Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine.”
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
    • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately.
    • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
    • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects).
  • Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where).
  • Do NOT:
    • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
    • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
    • Post details on public social media.
    • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. We can help preserve it and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Motley County Students

For many Motley County families, “hazing” might conjure images of harmless pranks or tough initiations from decades past. The reality in 2025 is far more systematic, psychologically manipulative, and dangerous. Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining or maintaining status in a group that endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Critically, a student saying “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there is profound peer pressure and power imbalance.

Modern hazing falls into clear categories that we see in cases across Texas:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadly form. It includes forced chugging, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, and games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mean drinking.
• Physical Hazing: This extends beyond paddling to include extreme, punishment-based calisthenics (“smokings” with hundreds of push-ups), sleep deprivation for days, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements. The Leonel Bermudez case involved being forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass and perform sprints immediately after forced vomiting.
• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (like the “roasted pig” position alleged in a Texas A&M Corps case), degrading costumes, and acts with racist or sexist overtones.
• Psychological Hazing: This involves verbal abuse, threats, isolation from friends and family, forced confessions, and public shaming in meetings or group chats.
• Digital/Online Hazing: A 2025 hallmark. Pledges are subjected to GroupMe or Discord chat dares, forced to post humiliating content on TikTok or Instagram, pressured to share compromising images, or required to have location-sharing apps active 24/7.

Hazing doesn’t just happen in fraternities. In Motley County, where many students participate in a wide range of activities, it’s crucial to know it occurs in sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams (from football to cheerleading), marching bands, spirit organizations like Texas Cowboys, and some academic or service clubs. The common threads are social status, tradition, and a code of silence that keep these practices alive even when everyone knows they’re illegal.

The Texas Law & Liability Framework: What Motley County Families Need to Know

Texas has specific, strong laws against hazing. Understanding this framework is the first step toward accountability. The primary statute is in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F.

Texas Hazing Law (Plain English Summary):
Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, or affiliation with a group, that:

• Endangers the physical health or safety of a student (e.g., beating, forced drinking, dangerous exercise), OR
• Adversely affects the mental health or safety of a student (e.g., severe humiliation, intimidation).

Key Provisions for Motley County Families:

• Criminal Penalties (Sec. 37.152): Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury and a State Jail Felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing they knew about.
• Organizational Liability (Sec. 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, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (Sec. 37.155): This is critical. Even if your child “went along with it,” that is not a legal defense to hazing charges. The law recognizes the coercive power of peer pressure.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (Sec. 37.154): Students who report hazing or call 911 in a medical emergency in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from their own involvement.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim is punishment (jail, fines, probation). Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, or even manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by victims or their families. Aim is monetary compensation for damages and accountability. These cases focus on negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, and infliction of emotional distress.
  The two can proceed simultaneously, and you do not need a criminal conviction to pursue a civil case. A civil lawsuit is often the only way to uncover the full truth, as discovery powers can obtain internal fraternity and university records that prosecutors may not reach.

Federal Law Overlay:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and maintain public hazing data by 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, federal Title IX obligations are triggered, requiring a specific institutional response.
• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain campus crimes; hazing incidents often overlap with reported assaults or alcohol offenses.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as a legal entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters that sets policies, collects dues, and supervises chapters.
4. The University (or its Board of Regents) for negligent supervision, if it knew or should have known of the risks and failed to act.
5. Third Parties like landlords of off-campus houses or alcohol providers.

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys investigate all potential sources of liability and insurance coverage.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Repeat in Texas

The horrific hazing incidents that make national news are not random. They follow predictable scripts. Understanding these patterns shows that what happened to Leonel Bermudez at UH was foreseeable and preventable, and why similar risks exist at all Texas schools.

The Alcohol Poisoning Death Pattern:

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): A bid-acceptance night with extreme drinking led to fatal falls. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in dozens of criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.”
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant drinking. Gruver died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%). This led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A “Big/Little” night where the pledge was forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. He died from alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pike national, ~$3M from BGSU) and criminal convictions.

The Physical Ritual Pattern:

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Pledge died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

The Athletic Program Hazing Pattern:

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Allegations of widespread sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements, proving hazing extends far beyond Greek life.

What This Means for Motley County: These national cases create legal precedents and show clear patterns of “foreseeability.” When a Texas chapter repeats the same forced drinking or violent rituals, it demonstrates that the national organization and university should have known the risks. These histories strengthen civil cases for Texas families seeking accountability.

Texas University Focus: Where Motley County Families Send Their Kids

Motley County students often attend universities across Texas, drawn by strong academic programs, athletics, and family traditions. The following campuses have significant Greek life and organized group cultures where hazing incidents occur. We’ve tailored this analysis with Motley County parents in mind.

Texas Tech University (Lubbock)

Connection to Motley County: As the nearest major research university, Texas Tech is a primary destination for Motley County students. The drive from Matador to Lubbock is direct, and many local families have deep Red Raider ties.

• Campus Snapshot: A major Big 12 university with a large Greek system, over 40,000 students, and a strong tradition of school spirit.
• Hazing Policy & Reporting: Texas Tech prohibits hazing and requires all student organizations to complete anti-hazing education. Reports can be made to the Office of Student Conduct, the Texas Tech Police Department, or through an online incident report form.
• Documented Incidents & Context: Texas Tech has faced hazing allegations within fraternities. The university’s Office of Student Conduct regularly adjudicates cases, though specific details are often shielded by federal privacy law (FERPA). The presence of national fraternities with documented hazing histories (like Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Pi Kappa Alpha) creates an ongoing risk environment.
• How a Case Might Proceed: Incidents in Lubbock could involve the Texas Tech Police Department and the Lubbock County District Attorney’s office for criminal matters. Civil suits would typically be filed in Lubbock County courts. Potential defendants include individual students, the local chapter, the national fraternity, and potentially Texas Tech University itself.
• Action for Motley County Parents: If your child at Texas Tech shows warning signs, document everything. Report concerns to the TTU Office of Student Conduct. Given the complexity of institutional cases, consult with a Texas-licensed attorney who understands the interplay between university discipline and civil liability.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon)

Connection to Motley County: Located in nearby Canyon, WTAMU is a key regional university for Motley County residents, offering accessible education and a strong sense of community.

• Campus Snapshot: A growing NCAA Division II university with active Greek life and student organizations, deeply integrated into the Panhandle community.
• Hazing Policy & Reporting: WTAMU’s student handbook explicitly bans hazing, defining it in line with Texas law. Reporting channels include the Dean of Students’ Office, WTAMU Campus Police, and the Office of Student Conduct.
• Local Greek Ecosystem: The campus hosts chapters of national organizations. For example, public records show the Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter is present in Canyon. The Phi Delta Theta Fraternity – Texas Theta chapter is also recorded as a Texas-based organization in Canyon. These entities, along with their national headquarters, form the network of potential responsibility in a hazing case.
• How a Case Might Proceed: Local jurisdiction would involve the Canyon Police Department and Randall County courts. The closer-knit campus community can affect how reports are handled internally and externally.
• Action for Parents: The regional nature of WTAMU means word travels fast. If you suspect hazing, act quickly to preserve evidence before social pressure leads to cover-ups. An attorney can help navigate both the university process and explore potential legal claims.

Other Key Texas Universities

While Texas Tech and WTAMU are geographically closest, Motley County students also attend schools across the state, each with its own hazing landscape.

• University of Houston: As evidenced by the active Bermudez lawsuit, UH has serious, ongoing hazing litigation. The university has multiple Greek councils and a history of chapter suspensions for hazing violations.
• Texas A&M University: The Corps of Cadets and a massive Greek system create a high-risk environment. A&M has faced major lawsuits, including a Corps case alleging degrading “roasted pig” hazing and a Sigma Alpha Epsilon case alleging chemical burns from industrial cleaner.
• University of Texas at Austin: UT maintains a public “Hazing Violations” website, listing sanctioned organizations—a transparency tool other schools lack. Violations routinely involve forced drinking, extreme calisthenics, and humiliation.
• Baylor University & Southern Methodist University: These private universities have active Greek life and have faced hazing scandals in both fraternities and athletic programs, often handled through internal processes that prioritize institutional reputation.

The Greek Ecosystem: Public Records of Organizations Serving Motley County Families

As part of our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain detailed data on the organizations behind Greek life in Texas. This investigative directory allows us to immediately identify the legal entities, their tax IDs (EINs), and their connections when a hazing incident occurs. For Motley County families, understanding this network is key to knowing who truly holds responsibility.

Public Records: Fraternity, Sorority, and Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses
The following are real entities listed in IRS and public filings. This is not an accusation but a demonstration of the documented network that exists.

Organizations in the Panhandle & South Plains Region:

• Frank Heflin Foundation, EIN 20-3507402, Canyon, TX 79015. (Recorded as a Phi Delta Theta alumni fund in public data).
• Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter, associated with West Texas A&M University in Canyon.
• Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association, EIN 75-2290669, Amarillo, TX 79118.
• Phi Delta Theta Fraternity – Texas Theta Chapter, Canyon, TX.
• Lambda Chi Alpha – Iota Xi Zeta Chapter, Amarillo, TX.
• Alpha Tau Omega – Zeta Kappa Chapter, Canyon, TX.
  (Source: IRS B83 Public Filings & Cause IQ Metro Data)

Major Texas University Hub Organizations (Examples):

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035. This is the type of housing corporation named in the Bermudez lawsuit.
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc., EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147.
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc., EIN 13-3048786, College Station, TX 77845.
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Chapter, EIN 74-6064445, Nederland, TX 77627.
  (Source: IRS B83 Public Filings)

This data is a fraction of the 1,423 Greek-related organizations we track across 25 Texas metros. For a Motley County family, the importance is clear: when hazing happens, there is rarely just one “fraternity” responsible. There is a local chapter, a national headquarters, often a separate housing corporation that owns the property, and alumni support organizations—all of which may carry insurance and legal liability. We use this data to ensure no responsible entity escapes accountability.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages for Motley County Families

When hazing causes injury or death, building a successful civil case requires immediate, strategic action and deep investigative resources. This is where our experience as complex litigation attorneys, combined with our proprietary data intelligence, makes a critical difference for families.

Critical Evidence in a Modern Hazing Case:

• Digital Communications: The #1 source of evidence. This includes GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, and Instagram/Snapchat messages. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages and trace communication patterns.
• Photos & Videos: Content filmed during events, shared in group chats, or posted on social media. Doorbell or security camera footage from houses can also be crucial.
• Internal Organization Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” binders, emails between members, and risk management materials from the national headquarters.
• University Records: Prior conduct files on the same chapter, incident reports, and Clery Act reports obtained through discovery or public records requests.
• Medical & Psychological Records: ER reports, hospitalization records, toxicology screens, and diagnoses of PTSD, depression, or anxiety from ongoing therapy.

Damages: What Families Can Recover
In a civil lawsuit, the law allows compensation for both economic and non-economic harms:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost wages, costs of psychological counseling, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of especially reckless or malicious conduct, courts can award damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Our Strategic Advantages for Motley County Families:

1. Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers try to deny, delay, and minimize claims. This insider knowledge is invaluable in negotiating fair settlements.
2. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. National fraternities and university systems do not intimidate us.
3. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: We don’t start from scratch. Our database of 1,423 Texas Greek organizations means we can immediately identify all potentially liable entities—from the local chapter president to the alumni housing corporation in another city.
4. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand criminal hazing investigations and can advise clients on interacting with police and prosecutors while simultaneously building a civil case.
5. Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring all members of our diverse Texas communities can access help and understand their rights.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Motley County Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping), excessive fatigue, or sudden weight changes.
• Becoming secretive about group activities, withdrawing from family and old friends.
• Personality shifts: increased anxiety, depression, irritability, or defensiveness.
• Constant phone use for “mandatory” group chats, appearing anxious if they can’t check messages.
• Academic performance plummeting or missing classes due to “required” events.
• Sudden, unexplained expenses (for alcohol, “fines,” or gifts for older members).

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Prioritize Safety: If they are injured or intoxicated, seek medical care immediately.
2. Document & Preserve: Write down what they tell you. Help them screenshot group chats and photograph injuries before evidence is deleted.
3. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Contact an experienced hazing attorney before reporting to the university. We can help you navigate the process to protect your child’s rights and preserve a potential legal claim.
4. Report Strategically: With an attorney’s guidance, you may report to campus police, the Dean of Students, and/or local law enforcement.

For Students: Is This Hazing?

• Ask yourself: Are you being pressured to do something dangerous, degrading, or illegal to belong? Would you do this if there were no social consequences? Are you told to keep it a secret?
• If you feel unsafe: Your health and safety come first. Leave the situation and call 911 if needed. Texas law offers protections for those who report in good faith.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots, photos, and notes. Tell a trusted friend or family member what is happening.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

• Deleting messages or “cleaning up” evidence. This looks like a cover-up and destroys your claim.
• Confronting the organization directly. This allows them to lawyer up, destroy evidence, and coach witnesses.
• Signing university “resolution” agreements without an attorney. You may be signing away your right to sue for fair compensation.
• Posting details on social media. Defense attorneys monitor everything; inconsistencies can be used against you.
• Waiting to see what the university does. Universities often prioritize their reputation. Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and statutes of limitation run out.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under specific legal theories like negligent supervision. Public universities have certain immunity protections, but exceptions exist, especially for gross negligence. Private universities like Baylor and SMU have fewer immunity barriers. Each case is fact-specific.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death is a state jail felony. Individuals can also face felony charges for assault or furnishing alcohol to a minor causing injury.

“My child ‘agreed’ to it. Do we have a case?”
Yes. Texas law (Sec. 37.155) explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and threat of exclusion is not voluntary.

“What if it happened off-campus at a rented house?”
Location does not eliminate liability. Universities and national organizations can still be responsible if they sponsored the activity or knew it was occurring. Many major national cases involved off-campus retreats or houses.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, complexities can affect this timeline. Do not wait. Critical evidence is most vulnerable in the first days and weeks.

Why Motley County Families Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

When your family faces the trauma of hazing, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand the unique landscape of Texas university culture, Greek life, and the complex institutional fight that follows. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas, including those right here in Motley County and the Panhandle region.

We are currently leading the litigation in the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case because we have the specific expertise necessary to take on powerful institutions. We know how to investigate hazing, from recovering deleted GroupMe chats to subpoenaing national fraternity risk management files. We know how to value the lifelong impact of injuries like rhabdomyolysis, traumatic brain injury, and severe PTSD. And we know how to negotiate with—and, if necessary, try a case against—the well-funded defense teams that universities and national fraternities deploy.

Our promise to you is grounded in our experience: we will conduct a thorough, relentless investigation. We will fight for full accountability, not just a quick settlement. And we will treat your family with the empathy and respect you deserve during an unimaginably difficult time.

Call to Action: Confidential Consultation for Motley County Families

If you suspect your child has been hazed at Texas Tech, West Texas A&M, or any Texas university, you are not alone, and you have rights. The path to accountability starts with a confidential conversation.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

• Call us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Lupe Peña (Se Habla Español): lupe@atty911.com

In your consultation, we will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options in clear terms, and answer your questions about the process. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no cost to you unless we recover compensation for your family.

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or form an attorney-client relationship. The law is complex and constantly evolving. The outcomes of any case depend on its specific facts. If you believe your child has been a victim of hazing, please contact a licensed Texas attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources:

• Attorney911 Main Website & Contact: https://attorney911.com
• Click2Houston coverage of the Leonel Bermudez UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing lawsuit: 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 coverage of the Leonel Bermudez UH hazing lawsuit: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Video: Using your cellphone to document a legal case (evidence preservation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Video: Client mistakes that can ruin your injury case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Video: How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
• Video: Texas statutes of limitations explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c