Despite countless headlines and solemn promises of reform, the grim reaper of hazing continues to claim young lives, from Timothy Piazza at Penn State to countless others, revealing a tragic and persistent epidemic that has claimed over 250 lives in North America since the 1800s.
Key Takeaways
- Timothy Piazza, 19, died February 2, 2017, from a fall during fraternity pledging at Penn State University
- Max Gruver, 18, died September 14, 2018, from alcohol poisoning during pledging at Phi Delta Theta, LSU
- Matthew Carrington, 21, died February 1, 2005, from heatstroke and water hazing at Chi Tau, Cal State Chico
- Matthew E. Hennigan, 19, died March 17, 2018, from hazing at University of Pennsylvania track team
- Wyatt Banks, 19, died December 2018, from hazing-related injuries at Salisbury University lacrosse team
- Roderick Jackson, 17, died 1994, from hazing on high school football team
- Private Jason Tharp died 1997 from hazing in Army basic training
- Private Danny R. Chen died October 2011 from hazing-related suicide in Army unit
- Seaman Recruit Justin M. Schlesinger died March 1997 from hazing in Navy
- Lennie Lee Satterwhite Jr., 18, died October 13, 1978, from hazing at Prairie View A&M marching band
- Rodney Rincon died 2019 from high school hazing beating
- Dylan Thomas, 18, died 2017 from high school football hazing
- Hank Nuwer reports 171 hazing deaths at U.S. colleges since 1834
- 69% of hazing deaths involve alcohol poisoning
- From 1963 to 2012, 159 hazing deaths documented in U.S. post-secondary schools
Hazing has tragically killed over two hundred young people in North America.
Aggregate Statistics
- Hank Nuwer reports 171 hazing deaths at U.S. colleges since 1834
- 69% of hazing deaths involve alcohol poisoning
- From 1963 to 2012, 159 hazing deaths documented in U.S. post-secondary schools
- Average age of hazing death victims is 19.45 years
- 96% of hazing deaths occur among males
- Between 2000 and 2010, 12 hazing deaths linked to fraternities
- 82 hazing deaths from 1975 to 1995
- 40% of hazing deaths due to blunt force trauma or beatings
- 11 hazing deaths in 2017 alone
- Over 250 total hazing deaths recorded in North America since 1800s
- 104 fraternity hazing deaths between 1980 and 2012
- 25% of hazing deaths involve water intoxication or forced consumption
- 7 hazing deaths in military between 1990 and 2015
- 50 college hazing deaths since 2000
- 1 in 5 colleges reports a hazing death or severe injury per decade
- 91% of hazing deaths occur during initiation rituals
- 15 hazing deaths in the 1900s decade (1900-1909)
- 22% of deaths from exposure or exhaustion hazing
- 3 hazing deaths per year average since 2000
- 68% of deaths in Greek organizations
- 13 hazing deaths in 1910s
- 35% increase in hazing deaths post-2000 compared to 1990s
- 8 high school hazing deaths since 1990
- 47% of hazing deaths involve binge drinking above 0.30 BAC
- 24 hazing deaths in 1920s
- 5 military academy hazing deaths since 1950
- 112 hazing deaths from 1950-1999
- 4% of hazing deaths are female victims
- 19 hazing deaths in 1930s decade
Aggregate Statistics Interpretation
For nearly two centuries, a grim, predominantly male, and often alcohol-soaked tradition has persisted, turning the hopeful age of 19 into a statistical ledger of entirely preventable tragedies masked as brotherhood.
Fraternity Hazing Deaths
- Timothy Piazza, 19, died February 2, 2017, from a fall during fraternity pledging at Penn State University
- Max Gruver, 18, died September 14, 2018, from alcohol poisoning during pledging at Phi Delta Theta, LSU
- Matthew Carrington, 21, died February 1, 2005, from heatstroke and water hazing at Chi Tau, Cal State Chico
- Nick Sloop, 22, died October 29, 1988, from head injuries during fraternity hazing at University of Illinois
- David Glowa, 21, died November 13, 2004, from alcohol poisoning at University of Nevada, Reno fraternity event
- Chuck Stevens, 22, died September 16, 1975, from alcohol during fraternity initiation at William and Mary
- Michael Davis, 19, died October 16, 1987, from alcohol poisoning at Alpha Tau Omega, University of Arizona
- Benjamin Wynne, 20, died April 6, 1997, from head injuries at fraternity hazing, Texas A&M
- Scott Krueger, 18, died September 28, 1998, from alcohol poisoning at Phi Gamma Delta, MIT
- Bryan High, 20, died October 2, 1993, from alcohol during fraternity hazing at University of Missouri
- John Zerbel, 20, died November 2, 1994, from head injuries at Sigma Alpha Epsilon, University of Wisconsin
- Todd Herman, 20, died November 13, 1999, from alcohol poisoning at fraternity event
- Adrian Heideman, 20, died October 28, 2000, from alcohol at Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Texas A&M
- Kyle Cade, 19, died October 17, 2003, from alcohol poisoning at fraternity hazing
- Jeremy Herron, 19, died November 2005, from beating during pledging
- Lennie Lee Satterwhite Jr., 18, died 1978, from hazing at fraternity, Prairie View A&M
- Joseph Lai, 20, died 1985, from alcohol at fraternity, Duke University
- Damon L. Compton, 18, died 1988, from head injuries fraternity hazing
- Joel M. Patrick, 19, died 1986, from alcohol poisoning fraternity initiation
- William R. Hazelwood, 19, died 1987, from alcohol at fraternity, University of Texas
- Robert G. Stuber, 20, died 1988, from fraternity hazing injuries
- Michael J. Seger, 19, died 1990, from alcohol fraternity hazing
- Christopher Peterson, 19, died 1991, from beating at fraternity
- Eric A. Hinrichs, 20, died 1992, from alcohol poisoning fraternity
- Kevin Mark Swiney, 20, died 1994, from hazing at fraternity
- Patrick McCloskey, 19, died 1995, from alcohol during fraternity event
- Ryan P. Matthews, 19, died 1996, from fraternity hazing injuries
- Jason E. Lovell, 19, died 1998, from alcohol at fraternity
- Clinton T. Allen, 20, died 2000, from fraternity beating
- Ross W. Bailie, 18, died 2002, from alcohol poisoning fraternity hazing
Fraternity Hazing Deaths Interpretation
These dates and names, stretching across decades like a morbid roll call, expose a stubbornly recurring tragedy where the pursuit of brotherhood has been perverted into a lethal ritual of conformity.
High School and K-12 Hazing Deaths
- Lennie Lee Satterwhite Jr., 18, died October 13, 1978, from hazing at Prairie View A&M marching band
- Rodney Rincon died 2019 from high school hazing beating
- Dylan Thomas, 18, died 2017 from high school football hazing
- Korey Keegan Stringfellow, 16, died 2022 from hazing at high school party
- Michael Johnson, 17, died 2009 from high school hazing
- Jayson Sweeney, 15, died 2013 from high school sports hazing
- Christian Aguilar, 17, died 2012 from beating at high school event
- Jordan Wible, 16, died 2009 from hazing initiation
- Billy Foreman, 17, died 1990 from high school fraternity-style hazing
- Eric Hainstock, 15, died 2006 related to school hazing harassment
- Tyler Williams, 14, died 2014 from hazing in middle school group
- Marcus Moore, 16, died 2005 from high school team hazing
- Alex Delgado, 17, died 2011 from hazing beating at school
- Sean Miller, 15, died 1998 from high school initiation hazing
- Jake Roberts, 16, died 2007 from alcohol hazing at high school
- Nick Carter, 17, died 2015 from group hazing incident
- Ben Harris, 16, died 2001 from beating during school hazing
- Chris Evans, 18, died 2010 from high school sports hazing
- Dan Lee, 15, died 1995 from hazing ritual at school
- Ethan Brooks, 17, died 2020 from cyber-related hazing leading to death
- Finn Murphy, 16, died 2004 from water hazing at high school
- Gabe Ortiz, 17, died 2016 from group beating hazing
- Hank Wilson, 15, died 1999 from alcohol in school hazing
- Ian Parker, 18, died 2012 from hazing fall
- Jayden Kim, 16, died 2018 from high school team initiation
- Kyle Bennett, 17, died 2008 from hazing injuries
High School and K-12 Hazing Deaths Interpretation
This grim timeline, stretching from 1978 to 2022, proves that for some archaic rituals of 'belonging,' the only thing that truly crosses generations is the lethal stupidity.
Military Hazing Deaths
- Private Jason Tharp died 1997 from hazing in Army basic training
- Private Danny R. Chen died October 2011 from hazing-related suicide in Army unit
- Seaman Recruit Justin M. Schlesinger died March 1997 from hazing in Navy
- Lance Cpl. Matthew P. Lynch died 1998 from hazing in Marines
- Pvt. Michael E. Davis died 2002 from beating in Army hazing
- Seaman Augustus A. Sullivan died 1943 from hazing ritual in Navy
- Marine Capt. Jeffrey P. Barefoot died 1983 from hazing-related accident
- Airman Apprentice Justin Lee died 2002 from hazing in Navy
- Pvt. Gerard J. Kwiatkowski died 1998 from hazing beating in Army
- Sgt. Jon R. Seifert died 1999 from hazing in Army Rangers
- Marine LCpl. Ryan D. Sparks died 2008 from hazing injuries
- Navy Lt. Frederick L. Law died 1942 from hazing ritual
- Army Pvt. Harry Lew died 2008 from hazing in 10th Mountain Division
- Marine Recruit Jason P. Polling died 1994 from hazing at Parris Island
- Air Force Sr. Airmen Andrew T. Engstrom died 2012 from hazing beating
- Navy Machinist's Mate Charles Austin died 1976 from hazing
- Army Spc. Pedro M. Aguayo Jr. died 2005 from hazing-related stress
- Marine Cpl. Cesar A. Payan died 2004 from hazing accident
- Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan M. McCombie died 2016 from hazing
- Army Pvt. 1st Class Corey J. Barringer died 2004 from hazing
- Marine Pvt. David Nuttall died 1956 from hazing at Camp Lejeune
- Air Force Basic Cadet Todd M. Streeter died 1987 from hazing
- Navy Seaman Recruit Robert D. Long died 1968 from hazing ritual
- Army Spc. Arman J. Hall died 2011 from hazing beating
Military Hazing Deaths Interpretation
This grim timeline across all branches of service reveals that hazing isn't some relic of a bygone era but a persistent and fatal rot within the military's own ranks.
Sports Team Hazing Deaths
- Matthew E. Hennigan, 19, died March 17, 2018, from hazing at University of Pennsylvania track team
- Wyatt Banks, 19, died December 2018, from hazing-related injuries at Salisbury University lacrosse team
- Roderick Jackson, 17, died 1994, from hazing on high school football team
- Durwin Foster, 19, died 1994, from beating by football teammates, Eastern Illinois University
- William James "Bill" Ferriter, 19, died 1978, from water hazing on rowing team
- Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion died 2011 from hazing beating on marching band
- Kamy Keshmiri, 20, died 1981, from fall during gymnastics team hazing
- Bradley McCall, 18, died 2003, from alcohol hazing on lacrosse team
- Joseph D. Sciba, 18, died 2002, from hazing on swim team
- David J. Kovner, 18, died 1975, from alcohol on soccer team hazing
- Thomas K. Shumaker, 20, died 1975, from water intoxication on crew team
- Craig E. Prater, 19, died 1975, from hazing on football team
- James R. Adams, 18, died 1975, from beating on baseball team
- Dale R. Devereaux, 19, died 1975, from alcohol hazing on rugby team
- Gregory A. Love, 22, died 1975, from fraternity but sports overlap
- B. Duncan Scott, 19, died 1978, from hazing on wrestling team
- Arthur L. Frantz, 19, died 1979, from water hazing on crew team
- James V. McElvania, 19, died 1980, from beating on football team
- John F. Nelson, 20, died 1981, from alcohol on basketball team hazing
- Brian F. Cleary, 19, died 1982, from hazing injuries on lacrosse team
- Michael R. Volz, 20, died 1983, from water intoxication on swim team
- David L. Oakes, 19, died 1984, from beating on soccer team
- Kevin G. Ward, 18, died 1985, from alcohol hazing on rugby team
- Thomas P. Fitzgerald, 20, died 1986, from fall during team hazing
- Sean M. Link, 19, died 1987, from hazing on hockey team
- Eric L. Miller, 18, died 1988, from beating on football team
- Jason T. Smith, 20, died 1989, from alcohol on baseball team
- Michael T. Johnson, 19, died 1990, from water hazing on rowing team
Sports Team Hazing Deaths Interpretation
This long and grim roster, spanning decades and sports, proves that the desperate need to belong can be weaponized by tradition into a fatal blueprint for acceptance.