By Brady Ellicott
28 Individuals held Accountable for the Fatal Hazing that Shook the Nation
Eight years have passed since the death of Timothy Piazza in 2017, but members of the Beta Theta Pi chapter of Penn State University are still being sentenced (Scolforo). Piazza’s father, now an advocate for anti hazing, acknowledged in 2018 that there was still “a long road ahead of us” (qtd. in Keneally and Shapiro) after the first member of Timothy’s fraternity was sentenced to varying punishments including 27 months of house arrest and $3,000 in fines, but no jail time. Both of Piazza’s parents entered the courtroom, again, in October 2024 where they witnessed the pledge masters, Brendan Young and Daniel Casey, now 28 and 27, respectively. In July 2024 they “plead[ed] guilty to 14 counts of hazing and one count of reckless endangerment” (qtd. in Mayorquín) and received a sentencing of between two and four months in prison and an additional three years of probation and community service. This is the closest to justice that the Piazzas will get for their son (Mayorquín). In total, 28 members of the now permanently suspended fraternity have received charges related to Piazza’s death (Chang).
Hazing has stolen the lives of over 50 students since the year 2000; This is an avoidable tragedy that occurs much too often (Kesslen). Recently the hazing epidemic has been on the rise, but historically, there has been at least one death from hazing every year since 1959 (Schermele). As one of the most infamous cases, the death of Timothy Piazza has resurfaced in the media as his parents have been heavily endorsing the Stop Campus Hazing Act (Hewes and Kindelan). This legislation would mandate that universities report all hazing incidents, and promote campus wide hazing research and prevention programs. It would also make deciding what organizations on campus to join easier by requiring each group to report any and all past incidents, and specifically what university policies they violated. If passed, the Stop Campus Hazing Act would define the term hazing as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person” despite being conducted alone or in a group, and “against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate” (qtd. in H.R.5646 - 118th Congress (2023-2024)) in the context of a ritual or initiation. Having a standard definition of hazing will be beneficial moving forward because many incidents are reported incorrectly, and the peer-induced trauma is left out of the description (“Hazing: The Issue”). Clubs, athletic teams, fraternities, and sororities would no longer be able to hide their horrific hazing with the act’s new policies that emphasize transparency.
The Perils of Pledging
The emotional and physical stress that hazing-related activities cause college students stems from the hierarchical model of Greek Life groups. New members have to seemingly prove themselves as worthy to join the new organization. For pledges, succumbing to peer pressure to engage in heinous activities that involve drinking copious amounts of alcohol and sexual exploitation is both humiliating and degrading (“Hazing: The Issue”); However, it's the only way in.
Oftentimes, this includes partaking in an extensive variety of tasks that have inflicted deaths (“Hazing: The Issue”). “The Gauntlet,” (qtd. in Alexandersen) which demands that pledges consume copious amounts of alcohol in under two minutes, was what killed Timothy Piazza. A former member described the progression of “The Gauntlet,” which started with the pledges taking a shot of vodka upon entering the house. This was immediately followed by running “down a hallway to shotgun a beer” (qtd. in Alexandersen). Next, while drinking wine from a bag they simultaneously had beer poured on them by the brothers. Lastly, they had to make a shot in beer pong, “a traditional drinking game involving cups of beer and ping pong balls” (qtd. in Alexanderson); if the ball did not go in, they had to guzzle a beer. It seems unsurprising that Piazza fell down a flight of stairs after consuming these contents in a short period of time (Alexandersen).
In 2017, Binghamton University freshman Conor Donnelly fell to his death from a fourth-floor balcony during the pledging process of Alpha Sigma Phi. His death was determined to be an accident due to overconsumption of alcohol (Libermann and Borelli). Alpha Sigma Phi is still a recognized fraternity, meaning they still receive a charter from Binghamton University (“Inter-Fraternity Council”). Even though it was deemed that his death was not a direct result of pledging, fraternities can pose dangerous environments where drinking gets out of control and is followed by destructive accidents (Libermann and Borelli). Increasing accountability and awareness can save lives. Oftentimes, there is tremendous pressure put on those who have gotten hurt in order to preserve their chapter and traditions; otherwise, the leaders will disprove and retaliate against them. Earlier in my first semester, I encountered a boy who was on crutches with visible face injuries. He said he got hurt while being hazed, but he could not reveal what group caused his injuries.
One of the worst reported cases of hazing injuries occurred at the University of Missouri in 2021. Daniel Santulli was blindfolded with fellow pledges meandering down a staircase with a “bottle of vodka taped to his hand” (qtd.in Nolasco) that he was expected to finish. After hours of drinking, his blood alcohol level had reached 0.486. Just nineteen years old, the injuries resulted in him never being able to walk, talk, or see again. All his family members had urged him to stop pledging after breaking down while on the phone with his sister. His slipping grades and sleep deprivation from the time consuming schedule of the fraternity triggered a noticeable shift in Daniels behavior.
"A heavily intoxicated Santulli was seen... losing his balance and falling backwards. Fraternity members carried him to a nearby sofa... His head hit a tile floor. Santulli’s limp body fell off the sofa at 12:30 a.m. and was not put back until 15 minutes later... He was then taken to the hospital in a car driven by fraternity members" (Nolasco). For the rest of his life he will require 24 hour care. While it is extremely painful for them to relive the tragedy, the couple is dedicated to warning other people and hopefully preventing similar situations by specifically targeting vulnerable high school and college students and their parents (Nolasco).
A Fine Line Between Fun and Foul
Not only is hazing a pressing safety concern for universities, but it is also proven that there is minimal linkage between these activities and group solidarity. Unfortunately, “55% of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experienced hazing” (qtd. in “Hazing: The Issue.”). These findings correlate with a study done by Elon University. The University concluded that some men, particularly in groups like fraternities, use alcohol to enable easier conversation and participation in activities that may seem daunting while sober, concluding that hazing will likely increase the closeness of the group (“Why do groups haze members?”). However, a Kent State University study held contradictory results (“Groundbreaking Study of Fraternity Hazing”). With access to the fraternity's ten-week-long introductory process, Dr. Aldo Cimino, presented himself as simply trying to understand the hazing process rather than reprimanding the members. He found that the harsh induction period did not boost morale or relationships; Rather, the aspect of “having fun” (“Groundbreaking Study of Fraternity Hazing”), frequently through partying, was found to be the greatest contributing factor reported to increased closeness within the group. The belief that hazing is necessary stems from a lack of awareness of alternative ways to fulfill these needs (“Why do groups haze members?”).
Challenging A Not So Timeless Tradition
What makes the issue of hazing preeminent among issues on college campuses is the fact that it can be completely avoided. There is no need to psychologically or physically harm others for the sake of a so-called “tradition.” Becoming aware of the resources available for those who have become victims of these recurring incidents on campuses all across America can help save lives. The Binghamton University website has an online form that gives students the ability to report hazing incidents through a few simple questions (“Binghamton University Hazing Policy”). In my own experience of pledging this past winter, all newly admitted members to a Greek Life Group at Binghamton University have to complete educational modules for alcohol abuse and hazing prevention in addition to in person presentations. Other universities have been taking preemptive measures, such as the University of Maryland. Impacting “21 fraternities and 16 sororities” (qtd. in Miller), in March of 2024 the University of Maryland announced they had “suspended all social and recruitment activities” (qtd. in Miller) for its Greek Life groups due to the excessive incidents of hazing among both. “Andrews Law” (Dobson) in Florida should be implemented nationwide. It is one of the first laws to classify hazing as a felony instead of a misdemeanor (Dobson). The law stipulates that if someone is in a life-threatening situation due to hazing, the initial contact with emergency services—regardless of whether they provided alcohol or coerced others into participating—will be granted immunity from prosecution (Dobson). This encourages those around someone who is in a life threatening state to not fear the consequences of seeking help.
The phony claims made over the past century that colleges will finally enact change and close disobedient chapters needs to end. Passing legislation, such as the Stop Campus Hazing Act (H.R.5646 - 118th Congress), can help keep you and your peers safe. By mandating education and research on the prevailing issue it will prevent a handful of deaths at universities across the country and hold those who organized the activities accountable. No tradition is worth the cost of a life.
Works Cited
Alexandersen, Christian. “They Call It ‘the Gauntlet’: What Penn State Student Drank at Frat Party?” Pennlive, Advance Local Media LLC, 5 May 2017, www.pennlive.com/news/2017/05/they_call_it_the_gauntlet_what.html.
“Binghamton University Hazing Policy” Binghamton University State University of New York Dean of Students, Binghamton University State University of New York. www.binghamton.edu/dean-of-students/support/hazing.html. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
Chang, David. “Ex-PSU Frat Leaders Plead Guilty in Hazing Death of Timothy Piazza.” NBC10 Philadelphia, 2025 NBCUniversal Media, LLC, 30 July 2024, www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/ex-psu-frat-leaders-plead-guilty-in-hazing-death-of-timothy-piazza/3928021/.
Dobson, Byron. “Gov. Desantis Signs ‘Andrew’s Law’, Enacting Tougher Hazing Measures.” Tallahassee Democrat, 26 June 2019, www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2019/06/26/fsu-hazing-andrews-law-gov-desantis-florid a-tougher-hazing-measures/1566778001/.
“Inter-Fraternity Council: Fraternity and Sorority Life: Binghamton University.” Fraternity and Sorority Life - Binghamton University, www.binghamton.edu/organizations/fraternity-and-sorority-life/governing-councils/ifc.html. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
“Hazing: The Issue.” Stophazing, StopHazing.org Dec. 2020, stophazing.org/issue/.
"H.R.5646 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Stop Campus Hazing Act." Congress.gov, Library of Congress, 23 December 2024, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/5646.
Keneally, Meghan, and Emily Shapiro. “Penn State Frat Member Faces No Jail Time over Pledge’s Death.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 31 July 2018, abcnews.go.com/US/penn-state-frat-member-faces-jail-time-pledges/story?id=56936576.
Kesslen, Ben. “If Student Deaths Won’t Stop Fraternity Hazing, What Will?” NBC News, NBCUniversal Media, LLC, 12 Mar. 2021, www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/if-student-deaths-won-t-stop-fraternity-hazing-what-will-n1260750.
Lieberman, Steve, and Anthony Borrelli. “Watch: Where Pearl River student fell to death at fraternity house.” Lohud, USA TODAY Network, 20 Mar. 2017, www.lohud.com/story/news/local/rockland/2017/03/20/cops-alcohol-connor-donnelly-de ath/99416788.
Maxwell, Jim. “Groundbreaking Study of Fraternity Hazing Co-Authored by Kent State Researcher Reveals Little Connection to Group Solidarity.” Kent State University, 7 Sept. 2022, www.kent.edu/cas/news/groundbreaking-study-fraternity-hazing-co-authored-kent-state-researcher-reveals-little.
Mayorquín, Orlando. “Ex-Frat Leaders Sentenced in Hazing Death of Penn State Student.” The New York Times, 2 Oct. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/10/01/us/penn-state-hazing-death-sentencing.html.
McEntyre, Nicholas. “Former Penn State frat leaders plead guilty in 2017 ‘obstacle course’ hazing death of Timothy Piazza.” New York Post, NYP Holdings, 31 July 2024, nypost.com/2024/07/31/us-news/former-penn-state-beta-theta-pi-leaders-plead-guilty-in-2017-timothy-piazza-hazing-death/
Miller, Ronald V., Jr. “Hazing Abuse Lawsuits.” Lawsuit Information Center, Miller & Zois, LLC, 4 Mar. 2024, www.lawsuit-information-center.com/hazing-abuse-lawsuits.html.
Nolasco, Stephanie. “Missouri Student, Victim of ‘the Worst Fraternity Hazing Injury Ever,’ Is ‘alive for a Reason’: Parents.” Fox News, FOX News Network, LLC, 18 Aug. 2024, www.foxnews.com/us/missouri-student-victim-worst-fraternity-hazing-injury-alive-reason-parents
Schermele, Zachary. “A Well-Kept Secret on Many Campuses, Congress Pulls Hazing into Spotlight.” USA TODAY, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 24 Oct. 2023, www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/10/24/college-hazing-bipartisan-legislatio n/71294172007/.
Scolforo, Mark. “Ex-Leaders of Penn State Frat Where Pledge Died after Night of Drinking Plead Guilty to Misdemeanors.” AP News, 31 July 2024, apnews.com/article/penn-state-fraternity-hazing-piazza-95648ed6b87b45280eb5d45b058e6c1a.
“Why do groups haze members?” Elon University, 06 Nov. 2024, www.elon.edu/u/hazing/facts/theories-research.