Texas Hazing & Campus Abuse: A Definitive Guide for Waxahachie Families
If your child attends college anywhere in Texas, this is what you need to know about hazing, the law, and your family’s right to accountability.
A Texas Parent’s Worst Nightmare
Imagine your son, a student at a university just a short drive from Waxahachie—maybe in Dallas, Waco, or elsewhere in Ellis County—comes home for the weekend. He seems withdrawn, exhausted. He has unexplained bruises and flinches when you ask about his fraternity. Late that night, you hear his phone buzzing constantly with group chat notifications. When you finally get him to open up, he describes being forced to drink until he vomited, deprived of sleep for days, and subjected to humiliating “traditions” by older members. He’s terrified to speak up, fearing retaliation or expulsion from the group that was supposed to be his new family.
This is not a hypothetical scenario. It is a reality for Texas families right now, including those in Waxahachie and across Ellis County. In late 2025, our firm filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a student at the University of Houston, against the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, the University of Houston System, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The allegations are shocking: a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, forced overconsumption of food leading to vomiting, extreme physical workouts, and being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” Bermudez developed life-threatening rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, hospitalized for four days with brown urine and critically high muscle enzyme levels. This case, actively litigated by our firm, is a stark example of the severe, institutionalized hazing happening on Texas campuses today.
This comprehensive guide is written for you—parents and families in Waxahachie and throughout Texas—to cut through the secrecy and confusion surrounding campus hazing. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the Texas and federal laws designed to stop it, the national patterns that repeat here, and the specific landscapes at major universities where your children may study. Most importantly, we will outline the path to accountability and recovery, because no family should face this crisis alone.
Immediate Help for a Hazing Emergency
If you suspect your child is in danger or has been seriously harmed, act now.
- Call 911 for any medical emergency.
- Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.
- In the First 48 Hours:
- Get Medical Attention: Insist on a full evaluation. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis or internal injuries may not be immediately apparent.
- Preserve Evidence: Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, texts), social media posts, and DMs. Photograph any injuries from multiple angles. Save any physical items involved.
- Document Everything: Write down who, what, when, and where while memories are fresh.
- Do NOT: Confront the organization, sign anything from the university or an insurance company, or let your child delete digital evidence.
- Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence disappears quickly. Universities and national organizations move to control the narrative. We can help you secure evidence and protect your child’s rights from the start. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.
Hazing in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes
Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or harmless initiation. Under Texas law, 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. It evolves constantly to avoid detection.
Modern hazing takes many forms:
- Alcohol & Substance Hazing: Forced consumption during “lineups,” “Big/Little” reveals, or drinking games like “Bible study.” This remains the leading cause of hazing deaths nationwide.
- Physical Hazing: Paddling, beatings, “smokings” (extreme calisthenics), sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements.
- Psychological & Humiliating Hazing: Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, and degrading costumes or roles.
- Digital Hazing: 24/7 surveillance via group chats, forced social media posting, geo-tracking demands, and humiliation spread through TikTok, Snapchat, or Discord.
It happens in fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, spirit groups (like cheer or drumline), Corps of Cadets programs, marching bands, and other campus clubs. The common threads are an imbalance of power, coercion masked as tradition, and a culture of secrecy.
Texas Law & Legal Liability: The Framework for Accountability
Texas has specific statutes to combat hazing, primarily found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F.
Key Provisions for Waxahachie Families:
- Broad Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group. It can occur on or off campus.
- Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals who fail to report hazing or who retaliate against reporters can also face charges.
- Consent is NOT a Defense: Section 37.155 states unequivocally that a victim’s “consent” to the activity is not a defense against hazing charges. The law recognizes the coercive power imbalance in these situations.
- Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing.
- Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Those who report hazing in good faith to law enforcement or school officials are generally immune from civil or criminal liability.
Civil Lawsuits vs. Criminal Cases:
- Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA) to punish wrongdoing with jail, fines, or probation.
- Civil Lawsuits: Brought by victims and families to secure compensation for damages and hold all responsible parties accountable. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil case. In fact, a civil discovery process is often the only way to uncover the full truth, as we are doing in the Bermudez case.
Federal Overlay:
- The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to enhance hazing transparency, reporting, and prevention programs.
- Title IX & The Clery Act: May apply when hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based discrimination, triggering specific investigative duties for universities.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Case?
Our approach is to identify every entity that failed in its duty. Potential defendants include:
- The individual students who perpetrated or facilitated the abuse.
- The local chapter as an organization.
- The national fraternity/sorority headquarters that sets policies, collects dues, and often has prior knowledge of dangerous patterns.
- The university or its board of regents for negligent supervision or deliberate indifference to known risks.
- Housing corporations, alumni associations, and property owners who control where hazing occurs.
- Third parties like bars that illegally furnish alcohol.
National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Repeat in Texas
The tragic cases below are not isolated; they are blueprints that predatory behaviors follow, proving national organizations and universities are often on clear notice.
- Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. Result: Multiple criminal convictions and Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.”
- Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game. Result: Felony hazing convictions and Louisiana’s “Max Gruver Act.”
- Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of liquor. Result: A $10 million settlement (including $7M from the national fraternity) and criminal convictions.
- Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. Result: Settlements with 22 defendants and a lifetime of required care.
- Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning at a “Big Brother” event. Result: Chapter closure and statewide reckoning.
The pattern is clear: forced consumption, delayed help, institutional failure, and families left to pick up the pieces. These national organizations—Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi—all have active chapters at Texas universities. Their histories are directly relevant to cases here.
The Texas University Landscape: What Waxahachie Families Need to Know
Families in Waxahachie and Ellis County send their students to a diverse array of Texas institutions, from local private universities to major public research hubs. Each campus has its own Greek life ecosystem and history of hazing challenges.
1. Local & Regional Campuses for Ellis County Families
- Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) – Waxahachie: As a private Christian university in your community, SAGU has its own student life policies. While Greek life may differ from large secular schools, hazing can occur in any group that initiates members, including athletic teams, ministry groups, or academic clubs.
- Tarleton State University – Stephenville (Erath County): A growing Texas A&M System school with active Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL). Hazing allegations within Greek organizations and athletic teams have surfaced, investigated under Texas A&M System rules.
- University of Texas at Dallas & University of North Texas – Dallas Metro: Major public universities within commuting distance, with significant Greek life and the attendant risks documented at other large institutions.
2. Major Statewide Hubs: Where Waxahachie Students Often Attend
University of Houston (UH) – The Flagship Case in Our Backyard
Our firm’s active litigation against UH and Pi Kappa Phi is a critical reference point. Beyond this case, UH has faced other incidents, like a 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case where a pledge suffered a lacerated spleen. UH policies prohibit hazing and provide reporting channels through the Dean of Students and UHPD. A civil case here may involve Harris County courts and can target the deep network of organizations behind chapters.
Texas A&M University – Corps Culture and Greek Life
Hazing risks exist both in the famed Corps of Cadets and in Greek life. In a 2023 lawsuit, a cadet alleged being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. In 2021, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledge lawsuit alleged severe chemical burns from being doused in cleaning products. Texas A&M’s size and tradition can complicate oversight, making aggressive investigation vital.
University of Texas at Austin – A Public Record of Violations
UT Austin maintains a public “Hazing Violations” log, offering more transparency than most. Entries show sanctions against groups like Pi Kappa Alpha for forced milk consumption and calisthenics, and spirit groups for abusive practices. This public record can be powerful evidence in a civil suit to show prior notice and pattern.
Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University – Private School Challenges
As private institutions, SMU and Baylor have their own disciplinary processes. SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended for paddling and alcohol hazing. Baylor has faced hazing scandals within its baseball program. Holding these private entities accountable requires attorneys familiar with navigating their specific policies and insurance structures.
The Common Thread: At every university, whether public like UH and A&M or private like SMU and Baylor, the institutions and the national organizations behind the chapters have a duty to protect students. When they fail, they must be held accountable.
The Organizations Behind the Letters: A Data-Driven View
Hazing is not a series of random “bad apples.” It is often a predictable pattern within specific national organizations. Our firm maintains the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, a proprietary database built from public IRS records, university filings, and national registries to map the ecosystem of Greek life liability. This allows us to identify every potentially responsible entity from the start.
For example, public IRS records (Form 990/B83) show Texas-registered entities tied to Greek life, such as:
- Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 46-3267515, Frisco, TX 75035
- Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc, EIN 27-3662583, Lufkin, TX 75904
- Sigma Phi Epsilon Texas Eta, EIN 82-4398421, Richmond, TX 77406
- Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc, EIN 47-5370943, Houston, TX 77204 (Theta Delta Chapter)
- Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 26-3170920, Denton, TX 76204 (Texas Woman’s University Chapter)
In the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area, which includes Ellis County, Cause IQ data identifies hundreds of Greek organizations. This includes undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, and housing corporations for nationals like Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Alpha Order, and Delta Delta Delta.
Why this data matters for your case: When we take a case, we don’t start from zero. We already know how to trace the network—from the local chapter president to the national insurance policy—that may bear responsibility. This investigative depth is what builds leverage for a meaningful settlement or prepares a formidable trial case.
Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages
If your family is considering legal action, understanding the process is crucial. We build cases to win, whether at the settlement table or at trial.
1. Evidence Is Everything:
- Digital Evidence: Group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), text messages, social media posts, videos, and photos. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted content.
- Medical Records: Documentation of injuries, ER visits, psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety), and long-term prognosis.
- Institutional Records: Obtained through discovery or public records requests—prior incident reports, university disciplinary files, national fraternity risk management reports.
- Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and advisors.
2. Comprehensive Damages Recovery:
A successful case seeks to make the victim whole and hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages can include:
- Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and educational costs (e.g., transferred tuition).
- Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, mental anguish, emotional distress, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of companionship, parental grief, and loss of future support.
- Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, to punish the defendants and deter future conduct.
3. Overcoming Common Defense Tactics:
We anticipate the defenses and dismantle them:
- “They Consented”: Texas law voids this defense. We demonstrate the coercive environment.
- “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We use pattern evidence from the national organization’s own history to prove foreseeability.
- “It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability is based on duty and control, not just property lines.
- “Insurance Doesn’t Cover This”: With Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney, we know how to navigate coverage disputes and bad-faith claims.
Practical Guides for Parents, Students, and Witnesses
For Waxahachie Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps
- Watch For: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, personality changes, secrecy around group activities, constant phone anxiety, sudden academic decline, or requests for large sums of money.
- Talk to Your Child: Approach with care, not accusation. Say, “Your safety is my only concern. You can tell me anything.”
- If Harm Has Occurred: Prioritize medical care. Then, preserve evidence (screenshots, photos, notes). Contact an attorney before reporting to the university or confronting the group. We can help you navigate this to protect your child’s rights and future.
- Critical Mistakes to Avoid: Do not let your child delete messages, sign university settlement offers prematurely, post on social media, or attend “one last meeting” with the group.
For Students: Your Rights and Safety
- You Have the Right: To be safe, to say no, to leave, and to report abuse without fear of retaliation (protected by Texas law).
- If You Are Being Hazed: Your priority is safety. Exit the situation. Seek medical help if needed. Confide in a trusted adult. Preserve evidence secretly if possible.
- Reporting: You can report to campus police, the Dean of Students, or anonymously through the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE. Remember, reporting for someone’s safety can protect you under good-faith immunity laws.
For Witnesses or Former Members:
If you participated and now regret it, or if you saw something, you have a role in preventing future harm. You can come forward. We can help you understand your legal position and how to cooperate in a way that promotes accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can we sue a university in Texas for hazing? Yes. While public universities have certain immunity defenses, exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and other failings. Private universities like SMU and Baylor can also be sued.
- How long do we have to file a lawsuit? Generally, two years from the date of injury in Texas, but exceptions apply. Do not wait; evidence degrades quickly.
- Will our case be public? Many cases resolve through confidential settlements. We always prioritize our clients’ privacy while aggressively pursuing justice.
- Can we afford an attorney? We work on a contingency fee basis for civil cases. This means there are no upfront costs or hourly fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you.
Why Attorney911? Our Firm’s Commitment to Waxahachie & Texas Families
When your family faces the trauma of hazing, you need advocates who understand the battlefield. You need The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC – Attorney911.
Our Proven Litigation Strength: The Bermudez Case
Right now, we are leading the charge in one of Texas’s most serious active hazing lawsuits: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi. We are not theorists; we are trial-tested litigators in the fight against powerful universities and national fraternities. We know how they operate, how they defend themselves, and how to win.
A Unique Combination of Insider Knowledge and Trial Power
- Insurance Insider Advantage: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense lawyer for national insurance companies. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, fight coverage, and attempt to minimize payouts. We use their playbook against them.
- Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing partner Ralph Manginello has taken on billion-dollar defendants, including being one of the few Texas firms involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by deep-pocketed institutions.
- Data-Driven Investigation: We don’t just take a statement. We deploy our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine to map the entire organizational liability landscape—from local housing corps to national headquarters—building an unassailable case.
- Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: 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 is fluent in Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.
We Serve Waxahachie and All of Texas
While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we represent families across the state, including those in Waxahachie, Ellis County, and the entire DFW region. The legal strategies, institutional players, and insurance companies are the same no matter where in Texas the harm occurred. We have the resources, the experience, and the determination to secure justice for your family.
Take the Next Step: A Confidential Consultation
If hazing has hurt your child, you are not alone. The path forward begins with a conversation. We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation to every family that contacts us.
In your consultation, we will:
- Listen compassionately to your story.
- Review any evidence you have gathered.
- Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
- Outline our investigative approach and strategic thinking for your specific case.
- Answer your questions about the process, timelines, and our contingency fee structure.
There is no pressure. Our goal is to provide you with the information and clarity you need to make the best decision for your family.
Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC – Attorney911 Today
Call our Legal Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Se habla Español.
For families in Waxahachie, Ellis County, and across Texas: the time to protect your child’s future is now. Let’s hold the powerful accountable and work to prevent this from happening to another family.
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, and outcomes depend on the unique circumstances involved. For legal advice regarding your specific situation, please contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC for a consultation.
