Hank Nuwer, Author; Hazing Deaths Database

Link to the full Times-Standard story

Excerpt:

An investigation into the incident and other violations of student and athletic codes of conduct began after school officials received a phone call on Aug. 6 indicating that a number of players on the men’s soccer team had been involved in hazing and underage drinking at an off-campus party.

At a press conference Tuesday, Vice President of Student Affairs Peg Blake said alcohol was believed to have played a large role in the alleged hazing.

Blake said more than 20 players attended the party, all of whom engaged in hazing activities “designed to humiliate and degrade players” and heavy drinking. Although she would not provide specifics, Blake went on to say that the lives of two student athletes were put in serious jeopardy. Neither received medical treatment.

The Clarion-Ledger disputes what school officials say happened at the beginning of school.

Excerpt: Photographs of bruised backsides of what appear to be Madison Central High School students contradict comments from school officials that recent alleged hazing incidents among students did not involve physical violence.

A number of photos posted on an Internet picture-sharing site, Instagram, are appended with captions that allude to MCHS and initiation activities, possibly involving paddling.

One photo of a purple and blue backside includes the caption, “We have been welcome to Madison central.”

Moderator: Once again, a high school principal refuses to shed any light on the hazing. Link to Evansville Courier and Press story on Memorial High School cheerleader incident.

Here is the story

GREENFIELD — Mikel Anthony Feick, 18, and Jacob Wayne Schliessman, 18, who were involved in a hazing incident at the Nodaway Valley High School around Dec. 19, 2011, plead guilty to lesser charges Tuesday.

Feick and Schliessman both entered guilty pleas to two counts of first-degree harassment each, counts one and two; two counts of serious assault each, counts three and four; and one simple misdemeanor each.

Feick and Schliessman were each sentenced to two years on counts one and two, one year on counts three and four, and 30 days in the Adair County Jail for the simple misdemeanor.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Arkansas-Tech-suspends-fraternity-over-hazing-3807275.php

Excerpt

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Tech University tossed a small fraternity from campus Wednesday following a student’s arrest on a battery charge for alleged hazing that left a student hospitalized for weeks.

The school yanked the charter of the Pi-Upsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, saying the organization violated the Russellville campus’ rule against hazing.

The administration acted after Tuesday’s arrest of Cliffaluion Deonte Bradley, 22, of Russellville on a second-degree battery charge. Bradley remained incarcerated on a $20,000 bond Wednesday, according to the Pope County Jail. He has a Sept. 24 court date. Jail records didn’t list an attorney for him.

Arrest warrants were issued for three other suspects, and state police spokesman Bill Sadler said officers were seeking the men.

The university said Bradley, a football player, was the only student among the accused. He’s been suspended from the football team. Officials didn’t explain why nonstudents were allegedly involved in the incident.

Prosecutor David Gibbons‘ office released an arrest affidavit that described the victim being taken from his apartment by a group of young men who put a hooded sweatshirt on the victim so it covered his eyes.

They took him to a home with an enclosed garage, where the victim said “he began being hit with wooden paddles and wooden canes by several individuals,” according to the affidavit.

The affidavit said the victim was able to identify his alleged attackers in photo lineups.

The day after the beating, the victim’s girlfriend took him to University Hospital in Little Rock, where he was placed in the critical care unit. He remained in the hospital for several weeks.

The affidavit said the victim “remembered the doctors telling him his kidneys were not working properly and that fluid was building up in his lungs. During his stay at the hospital, his condition worsened to the point he was placed in a (medically induced coma) for approximately one week.”

The document notes that the victim understood there would be an initiation into the fraternity.

“He did not, however, know that the beating would be so severe,” the affidavit states.

Gibbons’ office on Tuesday filed second-degree battery charges against Bradley, Calvin Williams of Conway, and Klyantel Summons and Stephen Bender, both of Little Rock. Working phone numbers for the at-large suspects couldn’t be located.

Gibbons wasn’t in his office Wednesday and couldn’t be reached for comment.

The university said it suspended the Pi-Upsilon chapter in April after the hazing allegations were raised.

“Arkansas Tech University has a zero tolerance policy for hazing rituals,” Vice President for Student Services Susie Nicholson said in a news release. “Students involved in, encouraging, aiding and or assisting in hazing or hazing related activities are subject to a conduct review resulting in possible suspension or expulsion from the university.”

The university said the Pi-Upsilon chapter had three active members at Arkansas Tech at the time of the alleged beating.

Conviction on a second-degree battery charge carries a prison sentence of up to six years and a fine up to $10,000.

Bradley wasn’t listed on Arkansas Tech’s online football roster on Wednesday.