The Definitive Guide to Hazing & Campus Abuse for Rising Star, Texas Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You’re Not Alone

If you’re a parent in Rising Star, your worst nightmare is receiving a call that your child has been hurt at college. Perhaps they’re at Texas A&M, studying engineering. Maybe they’re at the University of Texas, pursuing a business degree. Or they could be at any of the dozens of campuses across Texas where our small-town values meet the complex reality of modern campus life. That call often starts with vague details—an “accident,” a “bad reaction,” an “initiation that went too far.”

Right now, in Texas, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who pledged Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter. The allegations are horrific: forced to carry a “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys, sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” made to lie in vomit-soaked grass, forced to consume milk and hot dogs until vomiting, then immediately forced to sprint. On November 3, 2025, he was pushed through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion. He developed rhabdomyolysis—severe muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

This isn’t happening in some distant state. This happened right here in Texas, at a major public university. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended on November 6 and voted to surrender its charter on November 14. The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised cooperation with law enforcement.

For families in Rising Star and throughout Eastland County, this case matters because it proves that catastrophic hazing happens in our state, at schools where our children study. Whether your child attends a local community college, commutes to Abilene, or studies hours away at a major university, the same dangerous traditions exist within Greek organizations, athletic teams, Corps programs, and spirit groups.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for Rising Star parents and families who need to understand:

• What modern hazing really looks like (beyond the stereotypes)
• How Texas law protects—or fails to protect—our children
• What we’ve learned from national tragedies that apply right here in Texas
• What’s happening at Texas A&M, UT Austin, University of Houston, and other schools where Rising Star students enroll
• Your family’s legal rights and practical steps to take immediately

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
  • Sign anything from the university or 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 (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
• Universities move quickly to control the narrative
• We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

For Rising Star families unfamiliar with modern Greek life, hazing has evolved far beyond simple pranks. What was once physical paddling has transformed into sophisticated psychological manipulation, digital control, and dangerous rituals disguised as “tradition” or “team building.”

The Modern Definition That Texas Courts Recognize

Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

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

In plain English: If someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they meant to do it or were reckless about the risk, that’s hazing under Texas law.

Key points Rising Star parents need to understand:

• Can happen on or off campus (location doesn’t matter)
• Can be mental or physical harm
• Intent: Doesn’t have to be malicious; “reckless” is enough (knew the risk and did it anyway)
• “Consent is not a defense”: Even if your child said “yes,” it’s still hazing if it meets the definition

The Four Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the single most dangerous and common form of hazing for Texas students. It includes:

• Forced or coerced drinking during “Big/Little” nights, bid acceptances, or “family tree” games
• Chugging challenges where pledges must consume entire bottles or handles of liquor
• Being pressured to consume unknown mixtures or drugs
• The Leonel Bermudez case involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting

2. Physical Hazing
While alcohol hazing gets headlines, physical abuse remains prevalent:

• Paddling and beatings (still occurring despite national prohibitions)
• Extreme calisthenics called “smokings” or “workouts” designed to injure rather than condition
• The Bermudez case involved 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and cold-weather exposure in underwear
• Sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions” or 3 AM wake-up calls
• Food/water restriction as punishment

3. Psychological and Sexualized Hazing
The most humiliating forms that leave lasting emotional scars:

• Forced nudity or wearing degrading costumes
• Simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions)
• Verbal abuse, threats, and isolation from non-members
• Acts with racial, homophobic, or sexist overtones
• In the Bermudez case, another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour

4. Digital Hazing
The newest frontier that follows students everywhere:

• Group chat dares and challenges on GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord
• Public humiliation via Instagram stories, TikTok videos, Snapchat
• Geo-tracking demands through Find My Friends or Life360
• 24/7 availability requirements with immediate response expectations
• Pressure to create or share compromising images

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

Fraternities and Sororities
This includes Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (Divine Nine), and multicultural Greek organizations. Every major Texas university has dozens of these groups.

Corps of Cadets & Military Programs
Texas A&M’s Corps has faced serious hazing allegations, including the 2023 “roasted pig” case where a cadet was allegedly bound between beds with an apple in his mouth.

Athletic Teams
From football to baseball to cheer squads, athletic hazing persists. Baylor baseball faced suspensions in 2020 for hazing violations.

Spirit and Tradition Organizations
Groups like Texas Cowboys, cheer teams, and marching bands have all faced hazing investigations.

The Common Thread: Social status, tradition, and secrecy keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal. For Rising Star students seeking belonging at large universities, the pressure to conform can override safety concerns.

Texas Hazing Law: What Rising Star Families Need to Know

The Texas Education Code Framework

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Here’s what Rising Star parents need to understand in plain English:

Criminal Penalties (Section 37.152)

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death

Additional Criminal Provisions:

• Failing to report hazing if you’re a member or officer who knew about it: misdemeanor
• Retaliating against someone who reports hazing: misdemeanor

Organizational Liability (Section 37.153)
Fraternities, sororities, clubs, and teams can be criminally prosecuted if:

• The organization authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
• An officer or member acting in official capacity knew about hazing and failed to report it

Penalties for organizations:

• Fine up to $10,000 per violation
• University can revoke recognition and ban the org from campus

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (Section 37.154)
A person who in good faith reports a hazing incident to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report.

This is critical for Rising Star students to understand: If they call 911 for a medical emergency, even if they were drinking underage, Texas law and most university policies provide amnesty to encourage life-saving intervention.

Consent is NOT a Defense (Section 37.155)
Texas law explicitly states: It is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity.

This directly rebuts the most common defense we hear: “They agreed to it.” Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion isn’t true voluntary consent.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases

• Brought by the state (district attorney)
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical hazing-related charges: hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Example: In the Penn State Timothy Piazza case, 18 fraternity members faced over 1,000 criminal counts

Civil Cases

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus on: negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
• Example: The Stone Foltz family reached a $10 million settlement with Pi Kappa Alpha national and Bowling Green State University

Important: Both types can run side-by-side, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many hazing cases result in civil settlements even when criminal charges are reduced or dismissed.

Federal Laws That Apply to Texas Cases

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)

• Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthens hazing education and prevention
• Maintains public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)
• Applies to: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin (public) and SMU, Baylor (private if receiving federal funds)

Title IX
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. Universities must investigate and take appropriate action.

Clery Act
Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing incidents often overlap with assaults or alcohol/drug crimes.

Who Can Be Liable in a Texas Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students
The ones who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover them up. In the Bermudez case, 13 individual fraternity leaders were named.

2. Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself if it’s a legal entity. Officers and “pledge educators” are often key defendants.

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters
Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents. Pi Kappa Phi national is named in the Bermudez lawsuit.

4. University or Governing Board
Schools may be sued under negligence or civil-rights theories. Key questions: prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference. The University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents are named in the Bermudez case.

5. Third Parties

• Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces
• Bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop theories)
• Security companies or event organizers

Important for Rising Star families: Every case is fact-specific. We investigate to identify all potentially liable parties to ensure maximum accountability and insurance coverage.

National Hazing Tragedies: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)

• Bid-acceptance event with extreme drinking
• Severe falls captured on chapter security cameras
• 19-year-old died from traumatic brain injuries
• 18 fraternity members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts
• Takeaway for Texas: Delay in calling 911 and culture of silence can be legally devastating

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

• “Bible study” drinking game: wrong answers = forced drinking
• Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
• Multiple members charged; one convicted of negligent homicide
• Result: Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
• Takeaway for Texas: Formulaic drinking “games” are recipes for disaster

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

• Pledge forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
• Died from alcohol poisoning
• Multiple criminal convictions
• $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
• Takeaway for Texas: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities

Physical and Ritualized Hazing

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)

• Blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual
• Died from traumatic brain injury
• Members delayed calling 911
• National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter
• Pi Delta Psi banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
• Takeaway for Texas: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous as parties, and national orgs face serious sanctions

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)

• Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within program
• Multiple lawsuits against university and staff
• Head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired, later settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially
• Takeaway for Texas: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to big-money athletic programs

What These Cases Mean for Rising Star Families

Common threads in every major hazing tragedy:

1. Forced drinking under peer pressure
2. Delayed medical care due to fear of consequences
3. Cover-up culture and destruction of evidence
4. Institutional knowledge of dangerous traditions

These cases created legal precedents that protect Texas families today. The multi-million dollar settlements show what serious hazing cases are worth. The criminal convictions demonstrate that individual students face real consequences. And the new laws (Max Gruver Act, Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law) show that tragedy drives reform.

For Rising Star families facing hazing at Texas universities, you’re operating in a landscape shaped by these national lessons. The legal framework exists. The precedent exists. What’s needed is the courage to come forward and the right legal team to build your case.

Texas University Focus: Where Rising Star Students Attend

Rising Star families send their children to colleges across Texas. Some attend local institutions like Ranger College or Cisco College. Others commute to Abilene Christian University or Hardin-Simmons University. Many head to the major state schools: Texas A&M, University of Texas at Austin, Texas Tech, or the University of Houston. Each campus has its own Greek life ecosystem and hazing history.

The Texas Greek Organization Landscape: Public Records Reality

Before discussing specific universities, Rising Star parents deserve to understand the actual organizational landscape. Through IRS filings and public records, we maintain what we call our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a database of every registered Greek organization in Texas.

In the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Area (the nearest major metro to Rising Star), public records show 510 Greek-related organizations. Examples from IRS filings include:

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – EIN 742911848 – Fort Worth, TX 76244 (IRS B83 filing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 741380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 filing)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – EIN 521278573 – Dallas, TX 75241 (IRS B83 filing)
• Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) – Arlington, TX location (Cause IQ metro listing)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity – Texas Rho Corp. – Austin, TX location (Cause IQ metro listing)

Statewide Snapshot:

• 125 Texas-registered Greek organizations in IRS B83 filings
• 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros per Cause IQ data
• 96 major Texas universities with campus Greek life

These aren’t just social clubs. They’re legal entities with Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), mailing addresses, and often insurance policies. When hazing occurs, we know exactly how to identify every potentially liable organization.

Where Rising Star Families Send Their Kids

Based on geographic patterns and university enrollment data, Rising Star students commonly attend:

Local/Regional Campuses:

• Ranger College (Ranger, TX)
• Cisco College (Cisco, TX)
• Texas State Technical College (Sweetwater/Abilene)
• Hardin-Simmons University (Abilene)
• Abilene Christian University (Abilene)
• McMurry University (Abilene)

Major Texas Universities (Common Destinations):

• Texas A&M University (College Station)
• University of Texas at Austin
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock)
• University of Houston
• Baylor University (Waco)
• Texas State University (San Marcos)

The Connection: Many Rising Star students choose Texas A&M for its engineering and agricultural programs, or Texas Tech for its welcoming West Texas culture. These universities have active Greek life with chapters that have faced serious hazing allegations.

University of Houston: The Active Case Right Now

For Rising Star Families: While Houston is several hours from Rising Star, UH attracts students from across Texas with its strong business, engineering, and energy programs. The current Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates what can happen at any major Texas university.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• Large urban campus with 47,000+ students
• Active Greek life with 50+ chapters
• Mix of commuter and residential students
• Strong ties to Houston energy and business sectors

The Bermudez Case: What Happened

As detailed in our opening, Leonel Bermudez’s fall 2025 pledge experience involved:

• September 2025: Accepted bid to Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter
• September-October: Forced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews, overnight chauffeuring duties
• “Pledge fanny pack” rule: Carry condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices 24/7
• October 13: Another pledge hog-tied face-down on table with object in mouth
• Multiple locations: Pi Kappa Phi house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park
• November 3: Forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, creed recitation under expulsion threats
• Medical outcome: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, brown urine, 4-day hospitalization
• Defendants: UH, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national, Beta Nu housing corporation, 13 individual members

Media Coverage: The case received extensive coverage from Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the chapter on November 6, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14.

UH Hazing Policy & Reporting

• Hazing prohibited whether on-campus or off-campus
• Prohibits forced consumption, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, mental distress
• Reporting through Dean of Students, conduct offices, campus police
• UH posts hazing statement and some disciplinary information online

Prior UH Hazing Incidents

• 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case: Pledges allegedly deprived of food, water, sleep; one student suffered lacerated spleen; chapter faced misdemeanor charges and suspension
• Various fraternities disciplined for “behavior likely to produce mental or physical discomfort”

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds

• Involves UHPD and/or Houston Police Department depending on location
• Civil suits filed in Harris County courts
• Potential defendants: individuals, chapter, national, university, property owners

What UH Students & Rising Star Parents Should Do

1. Report immediately to Dean of Students and UHPD
2. Preserve all digital evidence before deletion
3. Seek medical attention even for seemingly minor injuries
4. Document prior complaints if the chapter has history
5. Contact experienced hazing counsel familiar with Houston courts

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

For Rising Star Families: Texas A&M is a common destination for Central Texas students. Its Corps of Cadets and strong Greek life create multiple potential hazing environments.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• 74,000+ students in College Station
• Prominent Corps of Cadets tradition
• Active Greek life with 60+ chapters
• Strong engineering, agricultural, and military programs

Documented Hazing Incidents

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)

• Two pledges alleged forced strenuous activity
• Substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, spit poured on them
• Severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
• Pledges sued fraternity for $1 million
• Fraternity suspended for two years by university

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023)

• Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts
• Bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth
• Sought over $1 million in damages
• Texas A&M stated it handled matter under its rules

Additional Incidents:

• Various fraternities disciplined for alcohol hazing, physical abuse
• Corps units facing periodic hazing allegations

Texas A&M Hazing Policy

• Zero tolerance policy applied to Greek life and Corps
• Reporting through Student Conduct Office, Corps leadership
• Transparency varies; some incidents handled internally

How a Texas A&M Case Proceeds

• University Police Department handles initial investigations
• Brazos County courts have jurisdiction
• Corps cases may involve military-style discipline alongside civil litigation
• Multiple defendant types: individuals, chapters, nationals, university, Corps leadership

What Texas A&M Students & Rising Star Parents Should Do

1. Understand both systems: Greek life AND Corps have different reporting chains
2. Corps-specific: Report to chain of command AND university conduct office
3. Medical documentation is critical for chemical or physical injuries
4. Preserve uniform items, photographs, digital evidence
5. Seek counsel experienced with both university AND Corps systems

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Tradition

For Rising Star Families: UT Austin attracts top students from across Texas. Its relatively transparent hazing violation reporting provides insight into recurring problems.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• 52,000+ students in Austin
• 60+ Greek chapters
• Public Hazing Violations page lists organizations, dates, conduct, sanctions
• Strong tradition groups (Texas Cowboys, etc.)

Documented Hazing Violations (From UT’s Public List)

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023)

• New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics
• Found to be hazing
• Sanction: Chapter probation, required hazing-prevention education

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024)

• Australian exchange student alleged assault at fraternity party
• Injuries included dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose
• Student sued SAE chapter for over $1 million
• Chapter already under suspension for prior violations

Texas Wranglers (Spirit Organization)

• Various years: forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, punishment-based practices
• Periodic suspensions and probations

UT’s Hazing Transparency

• Maintains public Hazing Violations page at hazing.utexas.edu
• Lists organization, date, conduct, sanction
• More transparent than many Texas schools
• Important for litigation: Prior violations establish pattern and knowledge

How a UT Austin Case Proceeds

• UTPD and/or Austin Police Department involvement
• Travis County courts have jurisdiction
• Prior violations from public list strengthen civil cases
• Defendants often include: individuals, local chapter, national, university

What UT Austin Students & Rising Star Parents Should Do

1. Check the public violations page for organization history
2. Report through multiple channels: Dean of Students, UTPD, conduct office
3. Leverage UT’s transparency in building your case
4. Document everything – prior violations help establish pattern
5. Move quickly – evidence preservation is critical

Southern Methodist University: Private School Dynamics

For Rising Star Families: SMU attracts students seeking private education with strong Greek life. Its private status affects transparency and accountability.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• 12,000+ students in Dallas
• Affluent student body with strong Greek participation
• Private university status
• Active Greek life with reporting through student affairs

Documented Hazing Incidents

Kappa Alpha Order (2017)

• New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep
• Chapter suspended
• Restrictions on recruiting until approximately 2021

Various Greek Organizations

• Periodic suspensions for alcohol hazing, physical abuse
• Private university means less public disclosure
• Some cases resolved through confidential internal processes

SMU Hazing Policy

• Zero tolerance policy
• Reporting forms and anonymous systems (e.g., Real Response)
• Private university affects public transparency
• Internal investigations may not produce public records

How an SMU Case Proceeds

• SMU Police Department initial response
• Dallas County courts have jurisdiction
• Challenge: Private university may resist disclosure
• Strategy: Use litigation discovery to obtain internal records

What SMU Students & Rising Star Parents Should Do

1. Assume less transparency than public universities
2. Document everything before internal investigation begins
3. Understand: Confidential internal resolution may not provide real accountability
4. Preserve evidence aggressively – private universities control narratives
5. Consider legal counsel early to navigate private institution dynamics

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Accountability

For Rising Star Families: Baylor’s religious identity and Waco location attract Central Texas students. Its history with football scandal affects how it handles misconduct.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• 20,000+ students in Waco
• Religious identity with honor code
• History of football sexual assault scandal (2015-2016)
• Active Greek life and athletic programs

Documented Hazing Incidents

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020)

• 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
• Suspensions staggered over early season
• Details never fully disclosed publicly

Various Greek Organizations

• Periodic disciplinary actions
• Religious context affects reporting and resolution
• Honor code violations may overlap with hazing

Baylor Hazing Policy

• Zero tolerance policy within religious framework
• Reporting through student conduct office
• History of scandal affects current responses
• Balancing religious identity with legal accountability

How a Baylor Case Proceeds

• Baylor Police Department initial response
• McLennan County courts have jurisdiction
• Complex dynamics: Religious identity, honor code, prior scandal history
• Defendants may include: individuals, organizations, university

What Baylor Students & Rising Star Parents Should Do

1. Understand the dual system: religious honor code AND legal accountability
2. Document thoroughly – internal processes may prioritize institutional protection
3. Recognize: Prior scandal means both heightened sensitivity AND defensive posture
4. Preserve evidence before honor code process begins
5. Seek counsel familiar with religious institution litigation dynamics

Fraternities & Sororities: National Patterns That Repeat in Texas

Why National Histories Matter for Rising Star Families

When your child is hazed at a Texas chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, or Phi Delta Theta, you’re not dealing with an isolated incident. You’re facing an organization with a national history of similar conduct.

Legal Significance: When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that got another chapter shut down or sued in another state, that shows foreseeability. National headquarters that knew about prior incidents but failed to intervene aggressively may face enhanced liability.

National Organizations Present at Texas Universities

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / “Pike”)

• At: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
• National History: Stone Foltz death (BGSU, $10M settlement), David Bogenberger death (NIU, $14M settlement)
• Pattern: Big/Little alcohol hazing, forced consumption rituals
• Texas Incidents: UH 2016 lacerated spleen case, UT Austin 2023 milk/calisthenics violation

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / “SAE”)

• At: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
• National History: Multiple hazing-related deaths nationwide, traumatic brain injury lawsuit (Alabama)
• Pattern: Alcohol hazing, physical abuse
• Texas Incidents: Texas A&M chemical burns case ($1M lawsuit), UT Austin assault case (exchange student injury)

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

• At: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU
• National History: Max Gruver death (LSU, led to felony hazing law)
• Pattern: Drinking games disguised as “Bible study” or education
• Texas Incidents: Various alcohol-related violations at multiple campuses

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

• At: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin
• National History: Andrew Coffey death (FSU)
• Pattern: Big Brother nights with extreme alcohol consumption
• Texas Incident: CURRENT UH CASE – Leonel Bermudez rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)

• At: Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
• National History: Multiple hazing suspensions nationwide
• Pattern: Paddling, alcohol hazing, Southern tradition emphasis
• Texas Incident: SMU 2017 suspension for paddling and forced drinking

The Legal Strategy: Connecting Texas Incidents to National Patterns

When we represent Rising Star families in hazing cases, we investigate three levels of history:

1. Chapter History: Prior incidents at the same Texas chapter
2. University History: Prior incidents involving same organization at same university
3. National History: Prior incidents involving same organization nationwide

Example: In the current UH Pi Kappa Phi case:

• Chapter History: We’re investigating prior Beta Nu chapter incidents
• University History: We’re examining UH’s handling of prior Greek violations
• National History: We’re researching Pi Kappa Phi’s national response to the Andrew Coffey death and other incidents

This three-level investigation establishes:

• Foreseeability: The national and university knew or should have known this could happen
• Pattern of Negligence: Failure to implement effective prevention despite prior warnings
• Gross Negligence/Punitive Damages Basis: Especially egregious disregard for safety

Insurance Coverage Implications

National fraternities carry insurance policies. Insurers often argue hazing is excluded as “intentional conduct.” Our strategy includes:

• Identifying all potential insurance policies (national, chapter, university, individuals’ homeowners)
• Arguing that even if hazing was intentional, negligent supervision claims may be covered
• Pursuing bad faith claims against insurers who wrongfully deny coverage

Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable here. He knows exactly how insurers evaluate and defend these claims.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

Critical Evidence Categories

1. Digital Communications (Most Important in 2025)

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack: Screenshot entire threads with timestamps
• Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok: Preserve before auto-deletion
• Fraternity-specific apps: Many chapters use custom apps for communication
• Digital Forensics: We work with experts to recover deleted messages
• The Bermudez case heavily relies on group chat evidence showing planning and coordination

2. Photos & Videos

• Content filmed by members during events
• Social media posts and stories
• Security camera or doorbell footage
• Photograph injuries immediately and over several days to show progression

3. Internal Organization Documents

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts
• Emails/texts from officers about traditions
• National policies and training materials
• Risk management files

4. University Records

• Prior conduct files, probation/suspension letters
• Incident reports to campus police
• Clery Act reports
• Internal emails among administrators

5. Medical Records

• Emergency room and hospitalization records
• Toxicology reports (blood alcohol levels)
• Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
• In rhabdomyolysis cases like Bermudez: Creatine kinase levels, kidney function tests

6. Witness Testimony

• Other pledges, members, roommates
• Former members who quit or were expelled
• Medical personnel, first responders

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

• Medical expenses: Past and future care
• Lost income/earning capacity: Missed work, reduced future earnings
• Educational costs: Withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships
• Property damage: Destroyed clothing, phones, other items

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Reputational harm

Wrongful Death Damages (If Applicable)

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship, love, guidance
• Family members’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages

• When defendants’ conduct is especially reckless or malicious
• Designed to punish and deter future conduct
• Texas caps apply in many cases, but exceptions exist for gross negligence

Recent Settlement Examples:

• Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha): $10 million total
• David Bogenberger (Pi Kappa Alpha): $14 million
• Max Gruver (Phi Delta Theta): $6.1 million verdict plus confidential settlements
• Sigma Chi (College of Charleston): $10+ million

Our Investigative Process for Rising Star Families

Phase 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation (First 48 Hours)

• Guide families through proper screenshot and documentation
• Send preservation letters to fraternity, university, social media platforms
• Identify and contact key witnesses before they’re coached

Phase 2: Comprehensive Investigation (Weeks 1-8)

• Subpoena university records of prior incidents
• Obtain national fraternity risk management files
• Work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted content
• Medical record collection and expert review
• Economic analysis of damages

Phase 3: Strategic Demand & Negotiation (Months 2-6)

• Prepare comprehensive demand package
• Negotiate with multiple insurers (fraternity, university, individuals)
• Mediation with all parties
• Settlement evaluation against trial prospects

Phase 4: Trial Preparation (If Necessary)

• Expert witness preparation
• Exhibit preparation
• Focus group testing of case themes
• Trial presentation development

Why Insurance Insider Knowledge Matters

Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national defense firm. He knows how insurers:

• Value and undervalue claims
• Use Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) to reduce settlements
• Deploy delay tactics to pressure plaintiffs
• Fight coverage under exclusions

This insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating with fraternity and university insurers who use the same playbook.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Rising Star Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Immediate Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme fatigue or exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities (“I can’t talk about it”)
• Withdrawal from family, old friends, or non-organization activities
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability, anger
• Constant phone use for group chats with immediate response demands
• Financial requests for unexplained “dues,” “fines,” or purchases
• Academic decline from missing classes for “mandatory” events

How to Talk to Your Child

• Open questions: “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
• Safety focus: “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
• Specific concerns: “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
• Support assurance: “You can always come home. Your safety matters more than any organization.”

If Your Child Is Hurt

1. Get medical attention immediately, even if they insist they’re “fine”
2. Document everything: Photos of injuries, screenshots of messages, notes of what they say happened
3. Save physical evidence: Clothing, receipts, objects used in hazing
4. Do NOT confront the organization—they’ll destroy evidence and prepare defenses
5. Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24-48 hours

For Students: Safety Planning and Rights

Is This Hazing? Simple Test

• Are you being forced or pressured to do something unsafe or humiliating?
• Would you do this if you had a real choice (no social consequences)?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Are you being told to keep secrets from parents or university?
• Are older members making new members do things they don’t have to do themselves?

If you answered YES to any, it’s likely hazing.

Your Legal Rights in Texas

• You cannot be punished for calling 911 or seeking medical help in an emergency (good-faith reporter immunity)
• Hazing is a crime—you are the victim, not the perpetrator
• You can file a civil lawsuit even if no criminal charges are filed
• “Consent” is not a legal defense in hazing cases

How to Exit Safely

• If in immediate danger: Call 911, get to safe location
• To quit/de-pledge: Tell someone outside the org first, send written resignation, do NOT attend “one last meeting”
• If fearing retaliation: Document threats, report to university and police, consider protective order

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages

• Wrong: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
• Right: Preserve everything immediately—deleted messages look like cover-up

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly

• Wrong: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
• Right: Document everything, call lawyer first—they’ll destroy evidence if warned

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms

• Wrong: Trusting university’s “internal resolution” process
• Right: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review—you may waive rights

4. Posting Details on Social Media

• Wrong: “I want people to know what happened”
• Right: Document privately—defense attorneys screenshot everything

5. Waiting “To See How the University Handles It”

• Wrong: Trusting university investigation timeline
• Right: Preserve evidence NOW—universities control narratives

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer

• Wrong: “They just need my statement to process the claim”
• Right: “My attorney will contact you”—recorded statements are used against you

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue a Texas university for hazing?”
Yes, under specific circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case is fact-specific—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. The Bermudez case involving rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure would likely qualify for felony charges.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Consent is not a defense under Texas Education Code § 37.155. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance isn’t true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but exceptions exist. The “discovery rule” may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately known. In cover-up cases, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“What if hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. The Pi Delta Psi case (fatal retreat) and many others occurred off-campus.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We can request sealed court records and confidential settlements. We prioritize family privacy while pursuing accountability.

About Attorney911: Why Texas Hazing Families Choose Us

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Cases

When your Rising Star family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña)

• Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
• Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers value claims
• Understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies
• “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello)

• One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
• Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• Not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams
• “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience

• Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases
• Experience valuing lifetime care needs (brain injury, permanent disability)
• Economist collaboration for accurate damage assessment
• “We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise

• Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
• Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
• Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Investigative Depth

• Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
• Experience obtaining hidden evidence (group chats, chapter records, university files)
• “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine

Unlike firms that start from zero, we maintain a proprietary database of Texas Greek organizations built from:

• IRS B83 filings (125 Texas-registered Greek entities)
• University rosters (96 Texas campuses)
• Metro organization data (1,423 entities across 25 metros)
• National incident tracking (decades of hazing cases)

When you call us about a Pi Kappa Phi case, we already know:

• The national organization’s EIN and headquarters location
• Prior incidents at Texas chapters
• Insurance carriers commonly used by that fraternity
• Litigation history of their national risk management

Our Commitment to Rising Star Families

We serve families throughout Texas from our Houston, Austin, and Beaumont offices. For Rising Star families specifically, we understand:

• The values that shape our Central Texas communities
• The educational paths Rising Star students commonly take
• The jurisdictional realities of Eastland County and surrounding courts
• The importance of discretion in close-knit communities

We’re not just lawyers; we’re Texans who believe in accountability, integrity, and protecting our children. When universities and national organizations prioritize reputation over safety, we believe in holding them accountable—not just for compensation, but to prevent future harm.

Our Fee Structure

• Contingency fee basis: We don’t get paid unless we win your case
• No upfront costs: You pay nothing to begin your case
• Case expenses advanced: We cover investigation, expert, filing costs
• Transparent agreement: Clear terms explained before you sign

We believe justice shouldn’t depend on your ability to pay hourly legal fees. Our contingency model ensures every Texas family can access quality representation against well-funded institutions.

Call to Action: If Hazing Has Impacted Your Rising Star Family

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in Rising Star, Eastland County, and throughout Central Texas have the right to answers and accountability.

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

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

1. We listen to your story without judgment
2. Review evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
3. Explain legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
4. Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
5. Answer questions about costs (contingency fee – we don’t get paid unless we win)
6. No pressure to hire us on the spot – take time to decide
7. Everything you tell us is confidential

Contact Information

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

Spanish-Language Services Available
Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish

Final Word to Rising Star Families

Whether you’re in Rising Star proper, neighboring Gorman, or anywhere across Eastland County—if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The traditions that hurt your child have hurt others before. The institutions that failed to protect your child have failed others before. Together, we can pursue the accountability that prevents future harm.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s start the conversation about how we can help your family find answers, achieve justice, and ensure no other Rising Star family endures what you have.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

• Click2Houston report: 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: 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 phone 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 your case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com