Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Perryton Families Seeking Accountability and Justice

When Tradition Turns to Trauma: What Every Perryton Parent Needs to Know About Modern Hazing

Imagine getting a call in the middle of the night. Your child, a student at a Texas university you were so proud to send them to, is in the emergency room. They’re dehydrated, confused, and their muscles are breaking down. Through tears, they describe being forced to perform hundreds of squats and push-ups until they collapsed, then being harassed via group chat for “quitting.” This isn’t a scene from a movie; it’s the reality for families across Texas, including right here in Perryton, when hazing spirals out of control.

At this very moment, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who was hospitalized for four days with acute kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis after alleged hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The Click2Houston report on the UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case details a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, forced overconsumption of food, and physical abuse so severe it caused life-threatening organ damage. This $10 million lawsuit names the university, the national fraternity, and 13 individual members.

This guide is for you—parents and families in Perryton and across Ochiltree County. Whether your child attends West Texas A&M in nearby Canyon, Texas Tech in Lubbock, or any of the major universities hours away in Houston, College Station, or Austin, you deserve to understand the harsh reality of modern hazing, your legal rights, and the path to accountability.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies.
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

In the first 48 hours:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if they insist they are “fine,” seek professional evaluation.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted:
   • Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), texts, and DMs immediately.
   • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
   • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, paddles).
3. Document Everything: Write down who, what, when, and where while memories are fresh.
4. 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: It’s Not Just “Boys Being Boys”

For Perryton families, the idea of hazing might seem like an outdated relic of animal-house movies. Today’s hazing is a calculated, often digitally coordinated form of abuse that exploits a young person’s desire for belonging. Legally, hazing in Texas is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed at a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation that endangers their mental or physical health or safety.

The Modern Hazing Playbook

1. Digital Control & Coercion:

• 24/7 Group Chat Monitoring: Pledges are required to respond instantly to messages at all hours, leading to sleep deprivation and anxiety.
• Social Media Humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok or Instagram as “challenges.”
• Location Tracking: Mandated use of apps like Find My Friends to monitor movements.

2. Disguised Abuse:

• “Voluntary” Workouts: Extreme calisthenics framed as “fitness tests” that lead to injuries like rhabdomyolysis (as in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case).
• “Big/Little” or “Family” Events: Ritualized gatherings centered on forced alcohol consumption.
• “Study Sessions” or “Retreats:** Misleading labels for off-campus hazing events designed to avoid university oversight.

3. Persistent Physical & Psychological Abuse:

• Forced Consumption: Alcohol, spicy food, milk, or other substances until vomiting.
• Sleep & Sensory Deprivation: All-night sessions, blindfolding, exposure to extreme elements.
• Verbal Degradation and Threats: Systematic bullying designed to break down self-worth.

This conduct happens in fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, spirit groups like the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, marching bands, and other campus organizations. It thrives on secrecy, tradition, and the immense power imbalance between new members and their peers.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: The Legal Framework for Perryton Families

Texas has specific laws to combat hazing, but navigating them requires understanding both criminal and civil avenues.

The Texas Education Code: Chapter 37, Subchapter F

Definition (§37.151): Hazing is broadly defined to include reckless acts that endanger physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. Location (on or off campus) does not matter.

Key Provisions for Families:

• Criminal Penalties (§37.152): Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 and lose university recognition.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it is not a legal defense for the hazers. The law recognizes the coercive power of peer pressure.
• Good-Faith Reporting Immunity (§37.154): Those who report hazing in good faith are protected from liability, encouraging calls for help.

Civil Liability: The Path to Accountability and Compensation

A criminal case, handled by the state, seeks punishment. A civil lawsuit, which we file on behalf of victims and families, seeks compensation for harms and to hold all responsible parties accountable. These cases can proceed simultaneously.

Who Can Be Held Civilly Liable?

1. The Individuals Who Performed the Acts: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As an organization that authorized or permitted the conduct.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority: For failing to adequately supervise, train, or take action despite known patterns of hazing. The national Pi Kappa Phi organization is a defendant in the Bermudez case for this reason.
4. The University: If it knew or should have known about the risk and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it. Universities have a duty to provide a safe environment.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, alumni advisors, or event venues.

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

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, it triggers federal Title IX obligations for the university.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to report campus crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires colleges to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs, increasing transparency for families.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases that make national news are not isolated. They reveal predictable patterns that we see in Texas. Understanding these patterns is key to proving institutional liability.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking. Delayed help and security camera footage led to massive criminal charges and reform.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died during a “Bible study” drinking game. Led to Louisiana’s felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.”
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. Resulted in a $10 million settlement and criminal convictions.

Takeaway: The “Big/Little” drinking night is a deadly, repeated script. National fraternities are often aware of this pattern but fail to stop it.

The Physical & Ritualized Abuse Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded “glass ceiling” tackling ritual during a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent brain damage after a pledging event. His family settled with 22 defendants.

Takeaway: Violent rituals, even when framed as “tradition,” are crimes. Off-campus retreats are common venues for severe hazing.

The Institutional Failure Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread alleged sexualized and racist hazing led to lawsuits, coach firings, and confidential settlements, showing hazing permeates elite athletics.

What This Means for Perryton Families: These national precedents strengthen cases in Texas. They demonstrate foreseeability—that national organizations and universities should have known these activities could cause death or catastrophic injury. When we pursue a case, we use this pattern evidence to show why stronger prevention was needed.

Texas University Focus: Where Perryton Students Often Pledge

Perryton families often send their children to universities across Texas, from nearby Panhandle schools to major hubs hours away. Each campus has its own Greek life ecosystem and history of hazing incidents.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX)

For Perryton Families: Located just 45 minutes from Perryton in Canyon, West Texas A&M is a common choice for local students. Its Greek life, while smaller than major universities, is not immune to hazing risks.

Snapshot: A mid-sized public university with active fraternity and sorority life. The close-knit community can sometimes enable secrecy around harmful traditions.

Documented Entities (From Public Records): Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks Greek organizations across the state. Entities with filings tied to the Amarillo/Canyon metro include:

• Frank Heflin Foundation (EIN 203507402) – Canyon, TX 79015. A Phi Delta Theta alumni fund.
• Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association (EIN 752290669) – Amarillo, TX 79118.
• Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter – West Texas A&M chapter in Canyon.

Advice for WTAMU Families: The proximity to home doesn’t eliminate risk. Be vigilant for signs of sleep deprivation or unexplained injuries. Incidents may be reported to the WTAMU Office of Student Conduct or the Canyon Police Department.

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)

For Perryton Families: Many Perryton students choose Texas Tech, a major university with a large Greek system about two hours away.

Snapshot: A Big 12 university with a robust and tradition-heavy Greek community. High-profile fraternities and sororities have chapters here.

Documented Entities & Incidents: The Lubbock metro has 59 Greek-related organizations. Examples from public filings include:

• Epsilon Nu Housing Corporation (EIN 237359384) – Lubbock, TX 79401.
• Farm House Fraternity Inc. (EIN 751565336) – Lubbock, TX 79416 (Texas Tech chapter).
• Texas Tech has faced hazing allegations, including a recent Kappa Sigma case involving allegations of rhabdomyolysis from extreme physical hazing.

Legal Jurisdiction: A hazing case here could involve the Texas Tech Police Department, Lubbock Police, and the Lubbock County District Court. National fraternities present at Tech, like Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Pi Kappa Alpha, have severe national hazing histories we use to establish pattern evidence.

The Major Texas Hubs: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor

Perryton students also attend these flagship universities. We maintain detailed data on the Greek ecosystems at each.

University of Houston (UH)

The Flagship Case – Leonel Bermudez: As detailed in the ABC13 coverage of the UH hazing lawsuit, the alleged hazing included being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced eating until vomiting, and the November 3rd workout that caused kidney failure. This case is active in Harris County courts.

UH Greek Ecosystem: UH hosts over 40 fraternities and sororities. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter was shut down in November 2025 after this incident.

Public Records Directory – Houston Metro: The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro has 188 Greek-related organizations. Examples include:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. (EIN 462267515) – Frisco, TX 75035.
• Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Houston alumni/house corp.
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN 746084905) – Houston, TX 77204.

Texas A&M University

Snapshot: Home to a massive Greek system and the renowned Corps of Cadets, both with documented hazing issues.

Notable Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Chemical Burns Lawsuit (2021): Pledges alleged being doused with industrial cleaner, causing severe burns requiring skin grafts.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound in a “roasted pig” position.

College Station-Bryan Metro Data: This metro has 42 Greek organizations. Public record examples:

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc. (EIN 133048786) – College Station, TX 77845.
• Eta Alpha House Corporation of Kappa Delta Sorority (EIN 742930349) – College Station, TX 77840.

University of Texas at Austin

Snapshot: UT Austin publishes a notable public “Hazing Violations” log, offering more transparency than many schools.

Documented Violations: The log shows repeated sanctions for groups like Pi Kappa Alpha (forced milk consumption and calisthenics) and spirit groups.

Austin-Round Rock Metro Data: 154 Greek organizations. Examples:

• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi (EIN 746047117) – Austin, TX 78705.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp. – Austin house corporation.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

Snapshot: Both are private universities with strong Greek life and their own hazing histories, including SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order suspension and Baylor baseball hazing incidents.

Dallas-Fort Worth & Waco Metro Data: The DFW metro alone has 510 Greek organizations. Examples:

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity (EIN 742911848) – Fort Worth, TX 76244.
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc. (EIN 741380362) – Fort Worth, TX 76147.
• In Waco, entities like the Texas Rho Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon (EIN 741942292) are recorded.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

When a chapter at UT or Texas A&M hazes, it’s rarely an isolated “bad apple.” Major national fraternities have long, documented patterns of similar misconduct across the country. This “pattern and practice” is crucial for civil liability.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): National pattern of alcohol-related hazing deaths (Stone Foltz at BGSU, others). Their “Big/Little” format is a known, foreseeable danger.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Has faced dozens of hazing lawsuits nationwide, including the chemical burn case at Texas A&M and a traumatic brain injury lawsuit at Alabama.
• Pi Kappa Phi: The national organization is a defendant in our Bermudez case at UH, and previously faced the Andrew Coffey hazing death at Florida State.
• Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver death at LSU led to felony hazing laws.

In litigation, we subpoena national fraternity records to show they knew of these risks. Their generic anti-hazing policies are meaningless if not aggressively enforced. This history helps prove “negligent supervision” and can support claims for punitive damages.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing a hazing case requires a meticulous, strategic investigation. We approach it with the same rigor we used in BP Texas City explosion litigation—leaving no stone unturned.

The Evidence Pyramid

1. Digital Forensics (The Most Critical):
   • Deleted Group Chats: We work with experts to recover messages from GroupMe, WhatsApp, etc. The planning and bragging that happens here is invaluable.
   • Social Media Archives: Photos, videos, and DMs from Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.
   • Chapter Communications: Internal emails, calendars, and “pledge educator” manuals.
2. Institutional Records:
   • University Files: Prior conduct reports on the same chapter obtained through discovery or public records requests.
   • National Fraternity Records: Risk management reports, prior incident investigations, and insurance communications.
3. Medical & Psychological Documentation:
   • ER records, lab results (like the critical CK levels showing rhabdomyolysis in the UH case), and ongoing therapy notes for PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
4. Witness Testimony:
   • Other pledges, former members, roommates, and alumni. We know how to safely interview witnesses who may be fearful.

Understanding Damages: What Families Can Recover

Civil lawsuits seek to make the victim whole and hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost tuition from withdrawn semesters, and lost future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship for parents and siblings.
• Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, to punish the defendants for reckless conduct and deter future hazing.

We collaborate with life-care planners, economists, and vocational experts to accurately project the full lifetime impact of catastrophic injuries.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Perryton Parents and Students

A Parent’s Action Guide

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, burns, or limping.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation.
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities.
• Constant, anxious phone use for group chats.
• Personality changes: withdrawal, anxiety, depression.

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’ve noticed you’re exhausted. Is everything okay with your group?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot everything. Do not delete.
4. Seek Medical Care: Get a professional evaluation to document harm.
5. Consult a Lawyer Before Reporting: We can help you navigate reporting to the university or police in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case

We urge families to watch our video on Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case. Key mistakes include:

• Deleting digital evidence.
• Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly, giving them time to destroy evidence and lawyer up.
• Signing a quick “resolution” agreement with the university that waives your right to sue.
• Posting about the incident on social media, which defense attorneys will scour for inconsistencies.
• Waiting too long. The Texas statute of limitations is generally two years, but evidence decays daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can we sue even if our child “agreed” to participate?
A: Yes. Texas law (§37.155) explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. The power dynamics and coercion inherent in pledging negate true voluntary consent.

Q: What if the hazing happened at an off-campus house?
A: Location does not shield liability. Nationals and universities can still be liable based on their knowledge, sponsorship, and control over the organization. The Pi Delta Psi case that resulted in a death occurred at a remote retreat.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, timing is critical for evidence preservation. We have a video explaining Texas statutes of limitations in detail.

Q: Will our case be public?
A: Most civil cases settle confidentially before trial. We always prioritize our clients’ privacy and can negotiate for sealed records and confidential settlement terms.

About The Manginello Law Firm: Why We Fight for Hazing Victims

When your family is in crisis, you need advocates who are not intimidated by powerful institutions. As Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, we bring a unique combination of insider knowledge and courtroom-tested experience to hazing cases.

Our Competitive Advantages:

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 will try to deny, delay, and undervalue claims. We use their playbook against them. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background on his profile page.

2. Proven Complex Litigation Experience: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, facing down billion-dollar defendants. We apply that same relentless approach to national fraternities and universities. Learn about Ralph’s career on his profile page.

3. Data-Driven Investigation: We don’t start from scratch. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from thousands of public records on Greek organizations—allows us to immediately identify all potentially liable entities, from housing corporations to alumni chapters. We know the landscape better than the defendants.

4. Full-Spectrum Advocacy: With Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), we understand both the criminal and civil sides of hazing cases. We can advise witnesses or former members with potential liability and navigate parallel proceedings.

5. A Mission for Accountability: We are litigating the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case right now. We are not theorists; we are on the front lines, fighting to get justice for a young man with permanent kidney damage and to force systemic change.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If you are a parent in Perryton, Ochiltree County, or anywhere in Texas, and you believe your child has been victimized by hazing, you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved have teams of lawyers; you deserve dedicated, expert advocates in your corner.

We offer a free, completely confidential case evaluation. In this consultation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal options and the potential paths forward.
• Discuss our contingency fee structure—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
• Answer your questions honestly, with no pressure.

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

• Call Our 24/7 Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Se habla Español: Mr. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish-language legal services.

Let us use our experience, data, and determination to help your family find answers, achieve accountability, and secure the resources needed for healing and recovery. The call is free, and it could change everything.

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.