Hazing at Texas Universities: A Comprehensive Guide for Families in Town of Italy and Throughout Ellis County

If you are a parent in Town of Italy, the quiet, close-knit community of Ellis County might feel a world away from the intense Greek life cultures at major Texas universities. Yet, your child’s journey to a school like the University of Houston, Texas A&M, or UT Austin could expose them to dangerous traditions hidden behind letters and logos. The nightmare often begins with subtle pressure—a “mandatory” event, a group chat buzzing with demands, a culture that values loyalty over safety. It can escalate to forced drinking, brutal physical workouts, psychological torment, and life-altering injuries, all while the institution meant to protect them turns a blind eye.

Right now, our firm is leading the fight against this exact scenario. We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The allegations are harrowing: a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, enforced servitude, and physical abuse including being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding” and forced consumption of food until vomiting. This culminated in a near-fatal workout on November 3, 2025, that left Mr. Bermudez with rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. His urine was brown; he was hospitalized for four days and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

This is not an isolated incident. It is a pattern repeated across Texas, from College Station to Austin, from SMU’s campus to Baylor’s. This guide is written specifically for you—parents and families in Town of Italy, Maypearl, Avalon, and across Ellis County. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the Texas laws designed to protect your child, the sobering national cases that set the precedent, and the specific realities at the universities where your children study. Our goal is to arm you with knowledge, show you the path to accountability, and explain why our Texas-based firm, with its unique insurance-insider and complex litigation experience, is prepared to help your family if the unthinkable happens.

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, and 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 or sorority 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: Evidence disappears fast. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For families in Town of Italy, hazing might conjure images of outdated movie tropes. The reality in 2025 is more insidious, digitally enabled, and often disguised as “team bonding” or “tradition.” It is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in a group. Crucially, a student’s “consent” is not a defense under Texas law when peer pressure and power imbalance are at play.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

1. Subtle Hazing (The Gateway): This establishes power dynamics and often feels “harmless.” It includes forced servitude (cleaning, errands, being on-call 24/7), deceptive secrecy oaths, social isolation from non-members, and mandatory events that interfere with academics. In 2025, this includes digital control: mandatory location sharing via apps like Find My Friends, instant required responses in GroupMe chats, and social media policing.

2. Harassment Hazing (The Abuse): This causes clear emotional or physical distress. It involves sleep deprivation from late-night “meetings,” verbal abuse and humiliation, food/water restriction, and forced physical activity billed as “conditioning”—like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats inflicted on Leonel Bermudez at UH. Public shaming, both in-person and via platforms like TikTok, is common.

3. Violent Hazing (The Life-Threatening): This has a high potential for catastrophic injury or death. It encompasses:

• Forced Alcohol Consumption: “Big/Little” nights, “Bible study” drinking games, lineups, and chugging contests.
• Physical Assault: Paddling, beatings, “glass ceiling” tackling rituals, and dangerous physical tests.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, and sexual coercion.
• Extreme Environmental Exposure: Being locked in cold rooms, left outside in inclement weather, or subjected to chemical exposure (like the industrial cleaner that caused burns in a Texas A&M SAE case).

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

While fraternities and sororities are frequently implicated, hazing is a cancer that affects many organizations:

• Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural Greek Councils).
• Corps of Cadets / Military-Style Programs (especially at Texas A&M).
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading).
• Spirit & Tradition Organizations (like Texas Cowboys or similar groups).
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups.
• Some Academic, Service, and Cultural Clubs.

The common threads are a hierarchy, a desire to prove loyalty, and a culture of secrecy that warns members, “What happens here stays here.”

Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal Laws

Understanding the legal landscape is crucial for Town of Italy families seeking accountability. Texas has robust statutes, and federal law adds another layer of protection and obligation.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

The Texas Legislature specifically criminalized hazing to protect students like yours. Key provisions include:

• Definition (§37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152):
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that does not cause serious injury.
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
  • It is also a crime to fail to report hazing or to retaliate against someone who reports.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This is critical. Even if your child felt pressured to “go along with it,” the law recognizes that true voluntary consent is impossible in a coercive group dynamic.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§37.154): Students who call for help in an emergency are generally protected from university discipline for related policy violations (like underage drinking).

Civil Liability: The Path to Compensation and Accountability

A criminal case, brought by the state, seeks punishment. A civil lawsuit, which we file on behalf of victims and families, seeks compensation for damages and forces institutional change. Potentially liable parties include:

1. The Individuals who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as a legal entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters (for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and prior knowledge of patterns).
4. The University (for deliberate indifference, negligent supervision, or Title IX violations).
5. Third Parties like property owners, bars that overserved alcohol, or security companies.

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

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, or is based on gender, universities have a duty to investigate and address it under federal law.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including some hazing-related assaults, in annual security reports.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to increase transparency in hazing reporting and strengthen prevention programs, with full implementation by 2026.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not anomalies; they are blueprints that reckless chapters follow. Understanding these patterns shows how foreseeable—and preventable—these injuries are.

The Alcohol Poisoning Death Pattern

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

The Physical & Ritualized Violence Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): A “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat involved blindfolded tackles, causing fatal head trauma. The national fraternity was criminally convicted of involuntary manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

The Athletic Program Abuse Pattern

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

What This Means for Town of Italy Families: These national precedents create a legal framework showing that universities and nationals know the risks. When the same patterns emerge at a Texas school—like forced drinking at UH or violent rituals in the Corps—it strengthens claims that the harm was foreseeable and preventable.

Texas University Focus: Realities at the Schools Your Children Attend

Families in Ellis County often send their students to a mix of local institutions and major state universities. Here is what you need to know about hazing landscapes at key Texas schools.

Local and Regional Campus Connections for Ellis County Families

While our home in Italy is peaceful, the universities our children attend have documented hazing challenges. Locally, Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) in Waxahachie, the Ellis County seat, maintains a strict Christian lifestyle covenant that explicitly prohibits hazing. However, parents should remain vigilant, as hazing can occur in any group dynamic.

For many Town of Italy families, the educational path leads to larger institutions. The University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton and Texas A&M University-Commerce are within regional reach and have active Greek life systems with their own historical incidents. The most common destinations, however, are the major flagship and private universities where Greek life and tradition are deeply entrenched.

University of Houston (UH): A Case Study in Crisis

The Leonel Bermudez case is a stark, current example of hazing’s severe consequences at a major Texas public university.

• The Incident: As detailed in lawsuits covered by Click2Houston and ABC13, Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu’s hazing included a humiliating “pledge fanny pack,” forced labor, sleep deprivation, and violent physical abuse at locations including the chapter house and Yellowstone Boulevard Park. The rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure suffered by the pledge represent one of the most serious medical outcomes from hazing in recent Texas history.
• Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi nationals suspended the chapter on November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary action. This rapid chapter closure is a common damage-control tactic.
• For UH Families: If hazing occurs, multiple police agencies may be involved (UHPD, Houston PD). Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in Harris County courts. The public nature of this case demonstrates that even at a large commuter school, dangerous Greek life cultures persist.

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life Entwinement

For families with children in the Corps of Cadets or Greek life at A&M, understanding the unique risks is vital.

• Corps of Cadets Hazing: A 2023 lawsuit alleged a cadet was subjected to degrading hazing, including being bound in a “roasted pig” position. While A&M states it handles such matters internally, civil litigation can uncover systemic failures.
• Fraternity Hazing: A lawsuit against the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) chapter alleged pledges were doused with substances, including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts.
• For Texas A&M Families: Hazing cases here can involve both university conduct systems and the separate Corps command structure. Brazos County courts have jurisdiction over civil claims. The university’s immense tradition can sometimes be misused to justify abusive behavior.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

UT Austin maintains a public “Hazing Violations” log, offering a window into ongoing issues.

• Documented Cases: The log shows repeated sanctions. For example, Pi Kappa Alpha was sanctioned in 2023 for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Other spirit groups and fraternities appear for forced workouts and alcohol hazing.
• For UT Austin Families: This transparency can be a double-edged sword. While it shows accountability, the recurrence of violations suggests systemic problems. Travis County courts handle litigation. UT’s size and the wealth of some national fraternities present formidable defendant teams.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Baylor University: Private School Challenges

• SMU: As a private university, SMU has less public reporting than state schools. Past incidents, like the Kappa Alpha Order suspension in 2017 for paddling and forced drinking, show that affluent, Greek-heavy campuses are not immune. Dallas County courts have jurisdiction.
• Baylor: Following past scandals, Baylor emphasizes reform. Yet, incidents like the 2020 baseball team hazing that led to 14 player suspensions indicate persistent issues. McLennan County is the legal venue, and Baylor’s religious affiliation can complicate legal strategies.

Fraternities & Sororities: Connecting National Histories to Texas Chapters

The fraternity involved in the UH case, Pi Kappa Phi, has a national history that includes the 2017 death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University from alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother” event. This is not coincidence; it is pattern. National headquarters create anti-hazing policies precisely because they know the deadly scripts their chapters tend to follow.

National Brands with Documented Hazing Histories present at Texas Schools:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Stone Foltz death (BGSU, $10M settlement). Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Multiple deaths nationwide; chemical burn lawsuit at Texas A&M; traumatic brain injury lawsuit at Alabama. Present at all major Texas schools.
• Phi Delta Theta: Max Gruver death (LSU). Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor.
• Kappa Alpha Order: Hazing suspensions at SMU and other campuses.

When a Texas chapter repeats a known, dangerous practice—like a forced drinking night—it demonstrates that the national organization failed to adequately supervise, train, or enforce its policies. This “foreseeability” is central to establishing negligence and securing compensation from the deep-pocketed national entity and its insurers.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, and Legal Strategy

If your family is facing a hazing crisis, the immediate focus is on health and safety. The legal focus must immediately turn to evidence preservation. Universities and fraternities act quickly to control narratives and limit liability.

Critical Evidence in a Modern Hazing Case

• Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, and text threads are the #1 source of evidence. They show planning, coercion, and bragging. Screenshot everything immediately before it is deleted.
• Photos/Videos: Media of the events, injuries, or locations.
• Medical Records: Document everything. Tell healthcare providers the injuries resulted from hazing so it enters the official record.
• University Records: Prior complaints against the same organization, which can be obtained through discovery or public records requests.
• Witnesses: Names and contact information for other pledges, members, or roommates.

Types of Damages in a Hazing Lawsuit

A civil case seeks to make the victim whole and hold organizations accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: Past and future medical bills, lost wages, diminished earning capacity (e.g., if a brain injury prevents a planned career).
• Non-Economic Damages: Physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional anguish for the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious conduct, these may be awarded to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

The Insurance Battle

Fraternities and universities carry insurance, but insurers often try to deny coverage for hazing, claiming it is an “intentional act.” Our firm has a unique advantage here. Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how insurers value claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We use this insider knowledge to maximize recovery for our clients.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Town of Italy Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, personality changes (anxiety, withdrawal), sudden secrecy about group activities, constant phone anxiety, grades dropping, and unexplained financial demands.
What to Do: Listen without judgment, ensure medical care, preserve all evidence, document everything, and consult an attorney before reporting to the university or speaking to insurance adjusters.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• Is This Hazing? If you feel pressured, unsafe, or humiliated to belong, it likely is. Trust your instinct.
• How to Exit Safely: Your safety is paramount. Do not attend “one last meeting.” You can resign via email. If you fear retaliation, document it and report it to campus authorities and police.
• Good Faith Reporting: Texas law and most university policies offer amnesty for those who call for help in a medical emergency, even if underage drinking was involved.

Critical Mistakes That Can Undermine Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Preserve all messages and photos.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers their legal defense and evidence destruction.
3. Signing University Paperwork Unreviewed: You may unknowingly waive your rights.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense teams scour social media for inconsistencies.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and the legal deadline (statute of limitations) can pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can we sue a university in Texas? Yes, though public universities have certain immunity defenses. Claims for gross negligence, Title IX violations, or against individual employees can succeed. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity protections.
• How long do we have to file a lawsuit? Generally, two years from the date of injury in Texas, but exceptions exist. Do not delay.
• Will our case be public? Most civil cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy throughout the process.
• What if it happened off-campus? Location does not matter. Liability is based on the organization’s sponsorship and control over the activity.

Why The Manginello Law Firm for Your Texas Hazing Case

When your family in Town of Italy is confronting a hazing crisis, you need advocates who understand both the profound human cost and the complex legal battlefield. You need attorneys who have faced billion-dollar defendants and are not intimidated by national fraternities or university legal teams. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), we bring a unique combination of insider knowledge and proven litigation power to hazing cases.

Our Proven, Texas-Based Expertise

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), is a former insurance defense lawyer for a national firm. He knows the exact tactics fraternity and university insurers use to deny or minimize claims. We use their playbook against them to secure full and fair compensation.
• Complex Institutional Litigation: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on a corporate giant with unlimited resources. We apply the same rigorous, fearless approach to suing national fraternities and universities.
• Multi-Million Dollar Results: We have a track record of securing significant settlements and verdicts in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with economists, life-care planners, and medical experts to build undeniable cases for maximum value.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Understanding: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits, allowing us to advise clients comprehensively.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.

Our Investigative Depth: The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine

We don’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary database built from public records to understand the ecosystem behind the Greek letters. For example, our data shows the network of Texas-registered Greek entities, such as:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515), based in Frisco, TX.
• Sigma Phi Epsilon Texas Eta (EIN 824398421), based in Richmond, TX.
• Numerous alumni chapters and house corporations across the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin metros.

This intelligence allows us to quickly identify all potentially liable entities—local chapter corporations, alumni associations, and national headquarters—ensuring no responsible party escapes accountability.

Your Path Forward: A Confidential Consultation with Attorney911

If hazing has impacted your child at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other Texas campus, you are not alone. The journey to accountability begins with a single, confidential conversation.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Whether you are here in Town of Italy, in nearby Waxahachie, or anywhere in Ellis County, we are here to help you navigate this crisis.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have preserved.
• Explain your family’s legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline the realistic path forward, including potential timelines and strategies.
• Answer all your questions about the process and our contingency fee structure—you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). You can also reach us directly at (713) 528-9070 or via email at ralph@atty911.com. For Spanish-language services, contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com.

Do not let time erase critical evidence or allow powerful institutions to control the narrative. Call us now and let us help you protect your child’s future and fight for the justice your family deserves.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

• 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-by-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 Your Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website & Contact:

• Firm 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 | lupe@atty911.com (Se habla Español)