Hazing at Texas Universities: What Families in Town of Woodson Need to Know

If your child is heading to college, you’ve invested in their future—new bedding, tuition plans, promises to call home. What you likely haven’t prepared for is the phone call no parent in Town of Woodson, Throckmorton County, or anywhere in Texas ever wants to receive. The call where your son or daughter’s voice is strained, their story doesn’t add up, or a hospital tells you they’ve been admitted after a “fraternity event.”

Right now, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. In Houston, we represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who was hospitalized with acute kidney failure and severe muscle breakdown after alleged hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The details are shocking: forced consumption of food until vomiting, extreme workouts of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, being sprayed in the face with a hose, and carrying a humiliating “pledge fanny pack.” This is happening here in Texas, to students who could be from families just like yours in Town of Woodson.

This guide is for you—parents, grandparents, and families across West Texas and the Throckmorton County area. Whether your child attends a local college or has traveled to a major campus like Texas A&M, UT Austin, or the University of Houston, you need to know what modern hazing looks like, how Texas law protects your child, and what legal options you have when things go terribly wrong.

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, or team.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
  • Post details on public social media.
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025

For families in Town of Woodson, hazing might bring to mind old movies or stories of harmless pranks. The reality in 2025 is different, more dangerous, and often hidden in plain sight on digital devices. Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in a group. Crucially, under Texas law, a student’s “consent” is not a defense.

Today’s hazing falls into clear, escalating categories:

• Subtle Hazing: Creates a power imbalance. This includes forced servitude (cleaning, chauffeuring at all hours), social isolation, being given a derogatory nickname, or mandatory events that interfere with sleep and academics.
• Harassment Hazing: Causes emotional or physical discomfort. This is sleep deprivation, verbal abuse, being forced to eat or drink unpleasant substances, and “voluntary” but coerced extreme calisthenics.
• Violent Hazing: Has a high potential for serious injury or death. This is forced alcohol consumption (like the “Big/Little” nights that have killed students), physical beatings, dangerous physical “tests,” sexualized acts, kidnapping, and exposure to extreme elements.

The methods have evolved. Hazing now lives on smartphones: 24/7 group chat demands, location tracking, social media dares, and evidence that is quickly deleted. Events are moved off-campus to Airbnbs or rural properties to avoid university oversight. It happens not just in fraternities but in sororities, athletic teams, Corps of Cadets programs, spirit groups, marching bands, and other campus organizations.

The Texas Legal Framework for Hazing

When a hazing incident touches a family in Town of Woodson, Texas law provides the foundation for both criminal prosecution and civil accountability. Understanding this framework is the first step toward justice.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)
Texas defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation or affiliation into any organization. Key provisions include:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§ 37.155) explicitly states that a victim’s consent is not a defense to prosecution. The courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure is not voluntary.
• 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 Reporters: Individuals who in good faith report hazing or seek emergency medical assistance are generally immune from disciplinary action by the university for related conduct violations (like underage drinking).

Criminal vs. Civil Cases
It’s important to understand the two tracks:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (county or district attorney) to punish wrongdoing with jail time, fines, and probation. Charges can range from hazing to furnishing alcohol to a minor, assault, or even manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by the victim and their family to secure compensation for their losses and hold all responsible parties accountable. This is a separate process where we seek damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other harms.

Federal Overlays
Federal laws also come into play:

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and maintain public hazing data, with full implementation by 2026.
• Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, it triggers the university’s Title IX obligations to investigate and respond.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including some aggravated assaults that may occur during hazing incidents.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Hazing Lawsuit?

A thorough investigation seeks to identify every party with responsibility. In a civil case, potential defendants include:

1. The Individuals: The students who planned, carried out, or concealed the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: The fraternity or sorority chapter as an entity.
3. The National Organization: The fraternity or sorority’s headquarters, which sets policies, collects dues, and supervises chapters. Their prior knowledge of similar incidents nationwide is critical.
4. The University: The school may be liable for negligent supervision if it knew or should have known about a dangerous pattern and failed to act.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, property owners where events were held, or alcohol providers.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not isolated. They reveal predictable, repeated patterns that help us build stronger cases for Texas families. These cases show why universities and national organizations are often on notice about the dangers their policies fail to prevent.

The Deadly Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• 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. The case led to major criminal charges and Pennsylvania’ Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.’
• Max Gruver, LSU (Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol toxicity after a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. His death spurred Louisiana’s ‘Max Gruver Act,’ strengthening felony hazing penalties.
• Stone Foltz, Bowling Green State (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. His family reached a $10 million settlement with the national fraternity and university.
• Andrew Coffey, Florida State (Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother” night, leading to the temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU.

Violent Physical & Ritualized Hazing

• Chun “Michael” Deng, Baruch College (Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Severe Injury & Lifelong Disability

• Danny Santulli, University of Missouri (Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage after being forced to drink excessive alcohol. He is now blind, unable to walk or talk, and requires 24/7 care. His family settled with numerous defendants.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Texas A&M (2021): Pledges allegedly had industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and other substances poured on them, causing severe chemical burns that required skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and a lawsuit was filed.

These national patterns matter for Town of Woodson families because they establish foreseeability. When a fraternity at Texas A&M or UT Austin uses the same dangerous “traditions” that have killed students elsewhere, it becomes much harder for that national organization to claim it had no idea such activities were occurring.

Texas Universities Under the Microscope: A Guide for Woodson Families

Many students from Throckmorton County and the surrounding West Texas region attend our state’s flagship universities. These schools have rich traditions but also documented histories of hazing within their Greek systems, Corps of Cadets, and athletic teams. Here’s what families need to know about the campuses where your children may be.

Texas A&M University

For many in Town of Woodson, Texas A&M is a point of pride and a common destination. Its scale and strong tradition, particularly in the Corps of Cadets, come with specific risks.

• The Corps of Cadets: The military-style discipline and tradition can cross into abuse. In a 2023 lawsuit, a cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a simulated “roasted pig” position. Texas A&M stated it addressed the matter internally.
• Fraternity Incidents: Beyond the SAE chemical burn case, other fraternities have faced serious allegations. Hazing investigations often involve forced drinking, extreme physical exertion, and sleep deprivation.
• What to Do: Reporting can go to the Texas A&M Student Conduct Office, the Corps Commandant’s Office, or university police. Given the institution’s deep culture, early legal advice is crucial to navigate internal processes and preserve evidence.

University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin publishes one of the most transparent hazing violation logs in the country, which provides a window into ongoing issues.

• Public Violations Log: UT’s website lists sanctioned organizations. Recent entries include:
  • Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, resulting in chapter probation.
  • Various spirit groups and fraternities have been sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, and degrading behavior.
• Lawsuit Against Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): An Australian exchange student sued the UT SAE chapter after allegedly being assaulted at a party, suffering a dislocated leg, broken nose, and fractured tibia.
• What to Do: The public log can be evidence in a case, showing a pattern. Reports can be made to the UT Dean of Students or the Office for Inclusion and Equity (for Title IX concerns).

University of Houston

Our active litigation at UH exemplifies the severe risks present on urban commuter campuses with active Greek life.

• The Leonel Bermudez Case: This ongoing $10 million lawsuit alleges Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter members engaged in systemic hazing at multiple locations, including the chapter house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park. The hazing allegedly included the “pledge fanny pack,” hose spraying “similar to waterboarding,” forced overconsumption of food, and extreme workouts leading to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The chapter was suspended and then voted to surrender its charter.
• Historical Context: In 2016, a UH Pi Kappa Alpha pledge suffered a lacerated spleen during an alleged hazing incident.
• What to Do: UH students can report to the Dean of Students or UHPD. The university’s response in the Bermudez case—calling the conduct “deeply disturbing” and cooperating with law enforcement—shows the seriousness with which it is now approaching these allegations.

Baylor University & Southern Methodist University

These private institutions have their own distinct cultures and challenges.

• Baylor: The university has faced scrutiny over campus safety culture. In 2020, 14 baseball players were suspended following a hazing investigation. Baylor emphasizes its conduct process, but families should be aware that private schools often handle matters with less public transparency.
• SMU: With a prominent Greek life presence, SMU has had its share of incidents. In 2017, the Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.
• What to Do: At private universities, internal processes are paramount. Legal counsel can help ensure a family’s rights are protected during often-opaque institutional investigations.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: Why National Histories Matter

When your child is hurt by a fraternity like Pi Kappa Phi or Sigma Alpha Epsilon, you’re not just dealing with a group of college students. You’re confronting a national organization with a history, an insurance policy, and a legal playbook. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from public IRS records, university data, and national databases—helps us map this landscape. For example, public filings show over 125 Texas-registered Greek organizations, from house corporations to alumni chapters, each a potential source of accountability and insurance coverage.

National histories create liability. If a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at UH or Texas A&M engages in the same forced drinking rituals that killed Stone Foltz at Bowling Green, the national headquarters cannot plausibly claim it was an unforeseeable, “rogue” event. Their prior knowledge is a cornerstone of negligence claims.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

If hazing has injured your child, taking swift, strategic action is critical. The goal is to build an undeniable record that compels accountability and secures the resources needed for recovery.

Critical Evidence Collection
The evidence window closes quickly. Essential preservation steps include:

• Digital Evidence: Screenshot ALL group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord) before they are deleted. Save social media posts, stories, and location tags. Our video on using your phone to document evidence details this process.
• Physical Evidence: Photograph injuries from multiple angles over several days. Save damaged clothing, paddles, or other props. Secure receipts for any forced purchases.
• Medical Documentation: Go to the ER or a doctor immediately. Tell them exactly what happened—“I was forced to drink by my fraternity.” These records are crucial.
• Witness Information: Document the names and contact information of other pledges, members, or bystanders.
• Institutional Records: Through legal discovery, we can obtain the university’s prior disciplinary files on the organization and the national fraternity’s internal incident reports.

Understanding Damages: What Can Be Recovered
A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim and their family whole, addressing both economic and human losses.

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost wages, costs for therapy, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, humiliation, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the unimaginable event of a death, families can seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or malicious conduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter future behavior.

Navigating Insurance & Institutional Defenses
National fraternities and universities have sophisticated insurance coverage and defense attorneys. They often employ defenses like claiming the victim “consented,” that the national headquarters “didn’t know,” or that insurance doesn’t cover “intentional acts.” Our advantage is that Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney for national firms. He knows the exact tactics they use to deny and minimize claims. We use that insider knowledge to counter their strategies, fight coverage exclusions, and maximize recovery for our clients.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Town of Woodson Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Steps

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight change.
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities or fear when their phone buzzes.
• Personality changes: withdrawal, anxiety, depression, or anger.
• Financial pressure for unexplained “fines” or purchases.

What to Do:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m concerned about you. Is there anything happening that feels unsafe or that you’re being pressured to do?”
2. Prioritize Safety & Evidence: If they are hurt, get medical care. Then help them preserve evidence—screenshots, photos, notes.
3. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Contact us before reporting to the university. We can help you navigate the process, protect evidence, and ensure your child’s rights are not waived during an institutional investigation.
4. Avoid Common Pitfalls: Do not confront the organization, do not let your child delete anything, and do not sign any documents from the school or an insurance adjuster without an attorney’s review.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition is worth your life or health.
• You Can Leave: You can resign your pledge or membership at any time. Send a clear text or email stating your resignation for the record.
• Report Safely: You can report to the Dean of Students, campus police, or anonymously through university hotlines. Texas law and most school policies offer immunity for those who seek emergency medical help.
• Get Support: Reach out to a trusted adult, counselor, or attorney. You don’t have to handle this alone.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

1. Deleting Evidence: The single biggest error. Preserve all digital communications.
2. Confronting the Organization: This triggers their defense strategy and leads to evidence destruction.
3. Signing University Papers: Universities may offer a quick “resolution” that waives your right to sue. Never sign without legal advice.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys scour social media for inconsistencies or statements they can use against you.
5. Waiting Too Long: Texas has a statute of limitations. Evidence and witness memories fade. Learn more about timing in our video.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can we sue the university? Yes, depending on the facts. Public universities have some legal protections, but claims for gross negligence or violations of duty can succeed. Private universities like Baylor and SMU can also be held liable.
• What if it happened off-campus? Location does not shield an organization from liability. If the group is university-recognized or the activity is part of its culture, liability remains.
• How much does a lawyer cost? We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we only get paid if we win your case, and our fee is a percentage of the recovery. There are no upfront costs. See how contingency fees work.
• Will our name be public? Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy throughout the legal process.

Why Attorney911 Is the Right Firm for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need a team with the depth, experience, and fortitude to take on powerful institutions. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) is built for this exact fight.

Our Proven Litigation Strength: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the complex BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on billion-dollar defendants. He brings that same fearlessness and strategic depth to hazing cases against national fraternities and universities.

Insider Insurance Knowledge: Associate Attorney Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as a defense attorney for national insurance companies. He knows their playbook—how they value claims, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. This insider perspective is an invaluable advantage when negotiating with fraternity and university insurers.

A Data-Driven Approach: We don’t start from scratch. We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, mapping Greek organizations across the state through public records to quickly identify all potentially liable parties and their insurance sources. In the Bermudez case, this means understanding the full network of the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its housing corporation, and its national headquarters.

Comprehensive Compassionate Advocacy: We handle the full spectrum—from evidence preservation and navigating Title IX reports to working with medical experts, life-care planners, and economists to build a compelling case for damages. We understand the profound physical and psychological trauma hazing causes, and we fight not just for compensation, but for accountability and change.

Call to Action for Town of Woodson and Throckmorton County Families

If you are reading this because you suspect or know your child has been hazed at a Texas university, you are not alone. The path forward may seem overwhelming, but taking the first step is critical.

We invite you to contact The Manginello Law Firm for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, explain the legal landscape in plain English, and outline your family’s options. There is no pressure, just honest guidance.

Call us today 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.

Se habla Español. For Spanish-speaking families, please contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Whether your child is at a school near Town of Woodson or anywhere in the state, we are here to help you secure justice, obtain the resources needed for healing, and ensure those responsible are held fully accountable.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

1. 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/
2. ABC13 coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:
3. Using your phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
4. Statute of limitations on your case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
5. How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:
6. Contact and firm information: 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)