For Parents in Palm Valley, Texas: The Complete Guide to Hazing, Your Child’s Rights, and What to Do Next
Sending your child from our beautiful Rio Grande Valley to college is a moment filled with pride and hope. You’ve worked hard to get them there—to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, or perhaps farther to UT Austin, Texas A&M, or the University of Houston. You envision new friendships, academic growth, and a safe environment where they can thrive. The last thing any parent in Palm Valley, Port Isabel, Harlingen, or Brownsville expects is a late-night call that their child has been hurt, humiliated, or endangered in the name of “tradition” or “brotherhood.”
Right now, in Houston, we are fighting for a young man and his family in a case that underscores this exact nightmare. Leonel Bermudez, a student at the University of Houston, is our client in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, and 13 fraternity leaders. As reported by Click2Houston and ABC13, his fall 2025 pledge period allegedly involved being forced to carry a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” endure hours of extreme physical abuse, be sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and consume dangerous amounts of food until vomiting. The brutal hazing culminated in a November 3rd “workout” of over 100 push-ups and 500 squats, which led to rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown—acute kidney failure, brown urine, and a four-day hospitalization. His life is forever changed.
This is not an isolated incident from a faraway school. It is a Texas case, governed by Texas law, and it reveals a systemic problem that touches campuses where Palm Valley families send their children every year. If your child is at UTRGV, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any Texas campus, and you fear they are being subjected to coercion, humiliation, or abuse, you are not powerless.
This guide is for you. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the specific laws that protect your child, the real-world legal outcomes from cases across the country, and the practical steps you can take to protect your family and seek accountability. We are The Manginello Law Firm (Attorney911), and we represent victims of catastrophic hazing in Texas. Our goal is to arm you with knowledge.
Immediate Help for a Hazing Emergency
If you believe your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
- Call 911 for any medical emergency.
- Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.
In the First 48 Hours – Critical Actions:
- Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” a medical evaluation is essential to document injuries and conditions like rhabdomyolysis or alcohol poisoning.
- Preserve Evidence BEFORE It Disappears:
- Screenshot everything: Group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, Instagram DMs), text messages, social media posts and stories. Capture full conversations with timestamps and names visible.
- Photograph Injuries: Take clear pictures of any bruises, cuts, burns, or other marks from multiple angles.
- Save Physical Items: Do not wash clothing stained with blood, vomit, or chemicals. Keep any paddles, “pledge” items, or receipts for forced purchases.
- Write Everything Down: While memories are fresh, document who, what, when, and where. Note names of members, locations (houses, parks, Airbnb rentals), and specific acts.
- DO NOT:
- Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
- Sign any documents from the university or an insurance company.
- Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” their phone.
- Post details on public social media.
Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24-48 hours. Evidence vanishes quickly. We can help secure it and guide you through the crisis. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.
Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like on Texas Campuses
Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or “harmless pranks.” It is a calculated abuse of power designed to create loyalty through trauma. For parents in Palm Valley and across the Coastal Bend, understanding its modern forms is the first step to recognizing it.
Texas law (Education Code Chapter 37) defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintaining membership in an organization. Consent is not a defense.
Today’s hazing often falls into three interconnected categories:
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Digital Control & Psychological Coercion: Before a single push-up is done, the coercion begins. Pledges are often required to be on 24/7 call via group chats (GroupMe is predominant), respond instantly to demands, and share their live location. They are given derogatory nicknames, isolated from non-member friends, and subjected to sleep deprivation through late-night “mandatory” meetings. The psychological goal is to break down independence and ensure compliance.
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Harassment and Humiliation: This includes forced servitude (being a personal driver, cleaner, or errand-runner), strict dress codes, and being forced to carry humiliating items—as in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case where pledges carried a “fanny pack” with condoms and sex toys. It involves verbal abuse, “interviews” designed to degrade, and public shaming, sometimes orchestrated on social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
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Violent and Physically Dangerous Acts: This is where permanent injury and death occur. It includes:
- Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: “Big/Little” nights, “Bible study” drinking games, lineups, keg stands, and forced chugging. This remains the leading cause of hazing deaths nationwide.
- Extreme Physical “Workouts”: Called “smokings,” these are punishment-based calisthenics far beyond normal conditioning—like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez.
- Physical Assault: Paddling, beating, tackling (as in the fatal “glass ceiling” ritual of Pi Delta Psi), being tied up, or exposed to extreme elements.
- Forced Consumption: Being made to eat or drink excessive, disgusting, or dangerous combinations of food (milk, hot dogs, raw eggs, hot sauce) until vomiting.
Where It Happens: While fraternities and sororities are most associated with hazing, it pervades other groups: Corps of Cadets programs (especially at Texas A&M), athletic teams, spirit organizations (like cheerleading or drumlines), marching bands, and even some academic or cultural clubs. The common thread is a hierarchy where older members have power over new ones.
Texas Hazing Law & Liability: A Framework for Palm Valley Families
Texas has some of the nation’s most clearly articulated hazing statutes. Understanding this framework is crucial for knowing your rights.
The Texas Education Code, Chapter 37:
- §37.151 – Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation or affiliation. It can occur on or off campus.
- §37.152 – Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a State Jail Felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
- §37.155 – Consent is NOT a Defense: It does not matter if your child “went along with it.” The law recognizes the power imbalance and coercion inherent in these situations.
- §37.154 – Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Individuals who report hazing or call for medical help in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability related to that report.
Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability
- Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim to punish with jail, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, or manslaughter.
- Civil Lawsuits: Brought by victims and families. Aim to secure compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, future care) and force institutional change. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil case.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?
- Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, carried out, or directed the abuse.
- The Local Chapter: As an organization, if it authorized or knowingly allowed the conduct.
- The National Fraternity/Sorority: This is often where significant resources and accountability are found. Nationals collect dues, set policies, and have a duty to supervise. Their knowledge of prior incidents at other chapters can establish “foreseeability.”
- The University: Public universities like UH, UT, and Texas A&M have a duty to protect students. They can be liable for “deliberate indifference” if they knew of a pattern of hazing and failed to act meaningfully.
- Third Parties: Property owners (of off-campus houses), alumni advisors, or security companies.
National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Repeat in Texas
The tragedy in Houston is not an anomaly. It follows a national playbook. Understanding these cases shows the predictable patterns and the legal consequences that have followed.
- Timothy Piazza, Penn State (Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Death from alcohol poisoning after a bid-acceptance night. Brothers delayed calling 911. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, massive civil settlements, and Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.”
- Max Gruver, LSU (Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Death from alcohol poisoning during a “Bible study” drinking game. Result: Felony convictions, civil settlement, and Louisiana’s “Max Gruver Act.”
- Stone Foltz, Bowling Green State (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Death from being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. Result: Multiple convictions, a $10 million settlement ($7M from national PKA, ~$3M from BGSU).
- Andrew Coffey, Florida State (Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Death from alcohol poisoning at a “Big Brother” event. Result: Chapter closure, criminal prosecutions.
- Danny Santulli, Univ. of Missouri (Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Forced drinking led to permanent, catastrophic brain injury. He requires 24/7 care for life. Result: Multiple criminal charges, confidential multi-million-dollar settlements with 22 defendants.
The Takeaway for Texas Families: These cases establish critical legal precedents: forced drinking is foreseeable and deadly, delays in seeking help exacerbate liability, and national organizations with prior knowledge face severe punishment. When we see the same patterns at a Texas school—like forced consumption and extreme physical exertion leading to rhabdomyolysis at UH—we use these national cases to prove the defendants should have known the dangers.
Texas Campus Focus: Where Palm Valley Families Send Their Kids
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) – Your Local Campus
For many Palm Valley, Los Fresnos, and Laguna Vista families, UTRGV in Edinburgh and Brownsville is a premier local choice. As a growing regional university, it has developing Greek life and student organizations. Hazing is prohibited under the UTRGV Student Code of Conduct, which mirrors Texas law. Reporting goes through the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. While major publicized hazing incidents have been less frequent than at larger flagship schools, the risk exists wherever there are groups with power dynamics. Any incident here would fall under the jurisdiction of local police and Cameron County courts.
The Major Texas Universities: Common Destinations for Valley Students
Many of our brightest from the Rio Grande Valley head to the state’s flagship institutions. These schools have deep Greek traditions and, consequently, documented hazing histories.
University of Houston (UH) – The Current Epicenter
The ongoing case of Leonel Bermudez vs. UH and Pi Kappa Phi is the most serious active hazing litigation in Texas. As covered by Hoodline, the allegations reveal a culture of extreme abuse: “waterboarding” with a hose, hog-tying another pledge, forced overeating, and life-threatening workouts. The fraternity chapter was swiftly suspended and then voted to surrender its charter. This case is a stark warning: severe hazing is happening at our large Texas universities now. UH has reporting channels through the Dean of Students and UHPD.
Texas A&M University – Corps of Cadets and Greek Life
A&M’s unique Corps of Cadets culture has faced serious hazing allegations. In a 2023 lawsuit, a cadet alleged being subjected to simulated sexual acts and being bound in a “roasted pig” position. Separately, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) chapter was sued after pledges alleged being doused with industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. These cases show hazing permeates both military-style and traditional Greek organizations at A&M.
University of Texas at Austin – A Pattern of Violations
UT Austin maintains a public “Hazing Violations” log, offering more transparency than most schools. Recent entries show a pattern:
- Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation.
- Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Multiple violations for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
This public record is powerful evidence in civil cases, demonstrating a known pattern of behavior that the university and nationals were aware of.
Other Major Schools
- Southern Methodist University (SMU): As a private school, SMU has faced incidents like the 2017 Kappa Alpha Order chapter suspension for paddling and forced drinking.
- Baylor University: Beyond its Greek system, Baylor’s athletic programs have faced scrutiny, including a 2020 baseball team hazing investigation that led to multiple player suspensions.
Fraternities, Sororities, and Their National Histories: The Data Behind the Letters
When hazing occurs, it is rarely the first time that specific national organization has faced such allegations. We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public IRS records, university data, and national databases, to track the entities behind these groups. This data-driven approach is critical for identifying all potentially liable parties.
The Texas Greek Organization Landscape – A Snapshot from Public Records:
Our research identifies over 1,400 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros. For families in the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas region, this includes entities tied to our local campuses and the major state schools. Here is a sample from the public record, illustrating the network of organizations:
Local & Regional Greek Entities (IRS B83 Filings):
- EIN 262378154: South Texas Cotillon Inc. – PO Box 4198, Brownsville, TX 78523
- EIN 812724215: Alpha Delta – 2408 N 26th St, McAllen, TX 78501
- EIN 831418972: Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – 218 University Center, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (Iota Phi Chapter)
- EIN 831418666: Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – Javelina Student Engagement Center, Kingsville, TX 78363 (Iota Rho Chapter)
Major University & National Organization Entities:
- EIN 462267515: Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (Entity tied to the UH chapter in litigation)
- EIN 746064445: Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – 1855 Highway 69 N, Nederland, TX 77627 (Epsilon Kappa Chapter)
- EIN 741380362: Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147
- EIN 900293166: Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – 114 Henderson Hall 4233 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843 (Texas A&M University Chapter)
Why This Data Matters for Your Case:
These are not just names; they are legal entities with Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), mailing addresses, and often, insurance policies. When hazing occurs, we use this directory to map the entire ecosystem: the undergraduate chapter, its housing corporation, its alumni board, and its national headquarters. This ensures we leave no stone unturned in seeking accountability and identifying every source of potential compensation.
National Organizations with Documented Hazing Histories:
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Stone Foltz death ($10M settlement), multiple other fatalities.
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Numerous deaths and injuries; sued at Texas A&M for chemical burns.
- Pi Kappa Phi: Andrew Coffey death at FSU; now the subject of our active UH lawsuit.
- Phi Delta Theta: Max Gruver death (LSU).
- Beta Theta Pi: Timothy Piazza death (Penn State).
When a chapter at UT, A&M, or UH repeats these patterns, it demonstrates that the national organization was on notice—a powerful argument for holding them fully accountable.
Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages
Pursuing justice after a hazing incident is a complex legal and investigative battle. It requires a strategy that anticipates the defenses wealthy institutions will deploy.
The Evidence That Wins Cases:
- Digital Communications: The #1 source of evidence. We forensically preserve and analyze GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram DMs, and Discord chats. Deleted messages can often be recovered.
- Photographs & Videos: From social media stories, phone galleries, and even security cameras at off-campus houses.
- Medical Records: Documentation of injuries is non-negotiable. ER reports, lab tests (like CK levels for rhabdomyolysis), hospitalization records, and future treatment plans.
- University Records: Through discovery, we obtain prior conduct reports on the chapter, internal investigation files, and communications between the school and the national organization.
- National Fraternity Records: Policies, training materials, and most importantly, records of prior incidents at other chapters that show a pattern.
Overcoming Common Institutional Defenses:
- “It was just horseplay / they consented.” We use Texas law (§37.155) and digital evidence of coercion to defeat this.
- “It was a rogue chapter; national didn’t know.” We subpoena national’s records to show prior incidents and prove “foreseeability.”
- “It happened off-campus, not our responsibility.” Courts consistently hold that universities and nationals have a duty of care that extends to foreseeable off-campus activities.
- “We have an anti-hazing policy.” We show the gap between paper policy and actual enforcement or oversight.
Damages: What Can Be Recovered
Civil lawsuits seek to make the victim whole and hold wrongdoers accountable through compensation for:
- Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost educational costs (tuition for withdrawn semesters), and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
- Non-Economic Damages: Physical pain, mental anguish, humiliation, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness or intentional conduct, to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.
Practical Guide: What Palm Valley Parents & Students Should Do Now
For Parents – Recognizing the Signs
Your child may be ashamed or afraid to tell you. Look for:
- Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
- Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight change.
- Secrecy about organization activities; sudden isolation from old friends.
- Anxiety when their phone buzzes; being “on call” 24/7.
- Personality shifts: increased anxiety, depression, or anger.
- Requests for money without clear reasons (for fines, alcohol, “supplies”).
For Students – Your Rights and Safety
- You have the right to be safe. No tradition is worth your life or health.
- You have the right to leave. You can de-pledge or quit an organization at any time. Send an email to the president for documentation.
- You have the right to report. Texas law protects good-faith reporters. Report to the Dean of Students, campus police, or use anonymous hotlines.
- Preserve evidence. Screenshot, photograph, and save everything. Our video on using your phone to document evidence can guide you.
Critical Mistakes to Avoid
- Deleting evidence. It can be seen as obstruction and destroys your case.
- Confronting the organization directly. This triggers their legal defense and evidence destruction.
- Signing university “resolution” agreements without an attorney. You may waive your right to sue.
- Posting details on social media. Defense attorneys will use it against you.
- Waiting to act. Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and statutes of limitations run. Texas generally has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury. Watch our explanation on statutes of limitation.
Why The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 for Your Texas Hazing Case
When your family is in crisis, you need advocates who understand both the profound human trauma and the complex legal battlefield. We are not just personal injury lawyers; we are institutional litigators with specific advantages for hazing cases.
Insider Knowledge of the Defense Playbook: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, employ delay tactics, and fight coverage. We know their strategy because we used to help build it.
Proven Experience Against Goliaths: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas lawyers involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on a billion-dollar corporation. We are not intimidated by the deep pockets of national fraternities or large universities. We have over 25 years of complex litigation and federal court experience.
A Data-Driven Investigative Approach: We don’t start from scratch. We use our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—the database of Greek organizations you saw samples of above—to immediately identify all potentially liable entities. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages, medical experts to document lifelong injuries, and economists to calculate true damages.
Dual Civil & Criminal Capability: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal exposure in hazing cases. We can advise families and witnesses navigating both criminal and civil proceedings, ensuring one doesn’t undermine the other.
Compassionate, Client-Centered Advocacy: We are a family firm. We understand the fear, anger, and helplessness you feel. Our mission is to guide you through this nightmare with clarity and purpose, fighting not just for compensation, but for accountability and change so no other family endures this pain.
We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case. Watch our video on how contingency fees work.
Call to Action for Palm Valley and Rio Grande Valley Families
If your child has been hazed, intimidated, or injured at UTRGV, the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any college campus, you have options. The path forward begins with a conversation.
We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. In this meeting, we will:
- Listen to your story with compassion and without judgment.
- Review any evidence or information you have gathered.
- Explain the legal landscape and your family’s specific rights under Texas law.
- Outline the potential paths forward, including civil action, and what to expect.
- Answer your questions honestly, including how our contingency fee structure works.
You do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved have teams of lawyers. You deserve a team that fights for you.
Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) Today:
- Call our Legal Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
- Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
- Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
- Email Lupe Peña: lupe@atty911.com | Se habla Español.
Serving families in Palm Valley, Brownsville, Harlingen, McAllen, Corpus Christi, and across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.
Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. We encourage you to seek legal counsel for advice on your particular situation. The information is current as of late 2025.
Plain Text Links to Key Resources:
News Coverage of the 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: 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
Main Firm Website & Contact:
- Attorney911: https://attorney911.com
