Fraternity hazing deaths happen to 'good kids from good families,' victim's father warns amid rush season
Share this @internewscast.com

A man whose son was killed in a 2017 fraternity hazing incident at Penn State University cautioned students and parents about the dangers of such practices in an interview with Fox News Digital, emphasizing that anyone could fall victim. 

Jim Piazza’s son, Timothy, was invited to join the Beta Theta Pi chapter at the university in February 2017. He attended a bid acceptance party where he and several other pledges were compelled to drink a handle of vodka. 

They were then forced to consume more hard liquor before participating in an alcohol “obstacle course,” which involved “beer pong stations, and other stations where they were required to drink various forms of alcohol, like wine bags and beer shotguns,” Jim elaborated. 

Piazza family penn state

Timothy Piazza and his family dressed in Penn State gear. Timothy died from a hazing incident in 2017.  (Jim Piazza)

Jim stressed that parents should advise their children to concentrate on their education and career skills, while steering clear of trouble inside or outside the academic setting. 

Regarding fraternity pledges undergoing rush this fall, Jim pointed out that given the structure and dynamics of fraternities, pledges have control over their destinies and don’t have to succumb to hazing. 

“Ultimately, the pledges possess some degree of power as they could unite and refuse to comply, because the fraternity members rely on them,” he explained. 

“They need the money, right? They need money to move in the house, and they need the money to pay the dues,” he continued. “And we know of groups that have said, ‘no, we are not doing that,’ and the fraternity members gave them a hard time at first, and then after a while it was like, ‘OK, well, we still need the pledge class, so fine.’” 

Beta Theta Pi fraternity house brick building penn state

A photo of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house at Penn State University. (AP Photo)

Jim criticized some fraternities at the national level, and some chapters of some fraternities at various schools for not taking anti-hazing policies seriously enough, saying that “they’re not getting it” and that “same old, same old” hazing habits still continue.

However, he has not soured on Greek life as a whole. 

“I don’t have a problem with Greek life,” he said. “I think it has a lot of good things that it could give to the students. It can make a big campus small. It could create friendships that are everlasting. I think it teaches individuals that take the leadership roles how to be leaders.”

Beta Theta Pi did not return a comment request. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Police investigating homicide after victim dies following shooting in Birmingham

Police Investigate Homicide After Shooting Victim Dies in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Birmingham Police Department is actively investigating a…
Trump administration cuts nearly $8B in clean energy projects in blue states

Trump Administration Reduces Clean Energy Funding by $8 Billion in Democratic-Leaning States

The Trump administration is cutting $7.6 billion in grants that funded numerous…
Convicted Minnesota sex offender, 22, accused of posing as high school student on football team

Minnesota Sex Offender, 22, Allegedly Impersonated High School Football Player

A 22-year-old man with a criminal history of indecent exposure allegedly posed…
Indonesia school collapse: Dozens of students missing in rubble after at least 6 killed, about 100 injured in Sidoarjo, East Java

Dozens of Students Missing in Indonesia School Collapse After East Java Incident Leaves Over 6 Dead, Nearly 100 Injured

SIDOARJO, Indonesia — On Wednesday, rescuers kept up their efforts to locate…
Tim Allen puts things in 'reverse' for season debut of ABC's 'Shifting Gears,' invites some special visitors from his TV past

Tim Allen Rewinds for ABC’s ‘Shifting Gears’ Season Premiere, Welcomes Special Guests from Past TV Shows

BURBANK, Calif. — “Shifting Gears” is revving up for its second season.…
Bryan Kohberger says he was diagnosed with 4 mental disorders before guilty plea: report

Idaho Judge Describes Bryan Kohberger Crime Scene Photos as ‘Deeply Disturbing,’ Halts Their Public Release

A judge in Idaho has blocked the release of graphic images from…
Immigration judge denies Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s bid for asylum, but he has 30 days to appeal

Judge Rejects Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Asylum Request, He Has 30 Days to File an Appeal

A U.S. immigration judge on Wednesday denied a bid for asylum from…
Enough Talk, Time for Muscle: Why Pete Hegseth’s Military Overhaul Is the Reset We Need

Time for Action: Why Pete Hegseth’s Military Reforms Are Essential

By nature, I am serene and pastoral, spending my time working to…
Man who hit and killed Jacksonville teen tried running over a man months prior, court records say

Court Records Reveal Man Who Struck and Killed Jacksonville Teen Previously Attempted to Run Over Another Man

Andre Myers has been taken into custody for the deadly hit-and-run incident…
Prosecutors hammer Charlie Kirk assassination suspect with ‘voluminous’ DNA, gun, text and rooftop evidence

Prosecutors Present Extensive Evidence Against Charlie Kirk Assassination Suspect, Including DNA, Gun, Texts, and Rooftop Data

Prosecutors in the Tyler Robinson case wasted no time in declaring they…
Jeanette Olivo not guilty by reason of insanity in stabbing of dog on Chicago's Northwest Side in 2022, police say

Chicago Incident: Jeanette Olivo Found Not Guilty in 2022 Dog Stabbing Due to Insanity Defense

CHICAGO (WLS) — A woman was found not guilty by reason of…
Student uproar erupts at elite college after professor put on leave over ties to far-left gun club

Elite College in Turmoil as Professor’s Suspension Linked to Far-Left Gun Club Sparks Student Protests

The community at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill gathered…