Jim Piazza’s son, Timothy, was recruited to join Beta Theta Pi at Penn State University in 2017. He was invited to a bid acceptance party where he and other pledges were forced to consume a handle of vodka. The event evolved into an alcohol ‘obstacle course,’ including beer pong, alcohol-filled wine bags, and beer shotguns. After completing the course, Timothy was left unattended on a couch in the basement of the fraternity house. He fell down 15 stairs, causing a brain bleed and a ruptured spleen, and he subsequently suffered a lung collapse due to aspiration from his own vomit.
Despite the severity of his injuries, fraternity members picked him up and returned him to the couch, continuing their actions by slapping him and throwing alcohol on him. He was finally left alone in the basement after midnight, unconscious and unresponsive. Over 45 minutes elapsed before the fraternity members called 911. Timothy passed away at Hershey Medical Center approximately 12 hours later, with the official cause of death being a brain bleed from the incident. The tragedy has drawn significant national attention, including a wrongful death lawsuit against the fraternity and the subsequent sentencing of several members for hazing-related charges.
The case has had a lasting impact on anti-hazing legislation in the United States. The Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and the Stop Campus Hazing Act at the federal level exemplify this shift, both seeking to hold fraternities accountable for serious hazing incidents. Jim and his wife, Evelyn, now engage in activism, speaking at various events to educate students and parents about the perils of hazing. They emphasize that the tragedy could happen to anyone, regardless of their background, and that the consequences can be devastating. Jim has also highlighted the financial burden associated with legal defenses, with 21 fraternity members spending millions on their legal costs following the incident. The case has prompted a deeper reflection on the role of fraternities and the need for greater awareness and reform to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Parents are particularly encouraged to be proactive in discussing hazing with their children and to focus on the importance of safety and academic goals. Jim believes that even though fraternities have the ability to influence their environments, students still hold power to resist harmful practices. However, he has criticized certain fraternities and chapters for not taking anti-hazing measures seriously, emphasizing that the same problems persist despite efforts to reform. Despite this, he remains supportive of Greek life in general, acknowledging its potential to foster leadership and meaningful relationships among students.