Justice for Sawyer Updike — End Fraternity Hazing at UT Austin and Beyond
Justice for Sawyer Updike — End Fraternity Hazing at UT Austin and Beyond
The Issue
Sawyer Updike was 18 years old. A college freshman. A scholar. An athlete.
A son.
He had his entire future ahead of him when he joined the Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Texas at Austin. But instead of gaining a sense of brotherhood, Sawyer was allegedly subjected to months of brutal hazing — including forced drug use, physical beatings, burning, and psychological torment. According to a lawsuit filed by his family, fraternity members speared a fishhook through his leg, shot staples into his hip, and pressured him to ingest cocaine and hallucinogenic mushrooms.
Sawyer died by suicide in January 2024. His family says the hazing he endured was a direct cause of the mental health crisis that took his life.
This was not an isolated accident. Sigma Chi’s UT chapter was already under scrutiny for a previous hazing incident. At least one complaint was filed with the university during Sawyer’s pledge period. Yet the chapter remained open — and now a family is grieving a loss that should never have happened.
Hazing is illegal in Texas. It is banned under UT policy. But clearly, policies are not enough without real accountability and enforcement.
We are calling on the University of Texas at Austin, the Texas Legislature, and national fraternity leadership to take immediate action:
- Enforce a permanent ban on the Sigma Chi Alpha Nu chapter at UT Austin
- Require public reporting of all hazing allegations and disciplinary outcomes
- Mandate hazing prevention training for all Greek organizations and new members
- Pass state legislation allowing felony-level charges for hazing that results in death or serious harm
- Create a clear, anonymous reporting system for students to safely report hazing without fear of retaliation
Sawyer’s death cannot be ignored or buried behind university statements. What happened to him was cruel, preventable, and unacceptable — and it is far from the first case of its kind.
Sign this petition to demand justice for Sawyer Updike and to protect students from dangerous hazing rituals masquerading as tradition. No parent should ever have to bury a child because of a fraternity initiation.
Photo: Fox
50
The Issue
Sawyer Updike was 18 years old. A college freshman. A scholar. An athlete.
A son.
He had his entire future ahead of him when he joined the Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Texas at Austin. But instead of gaining a sense of brotherhood, Sawyer was allegedly subjected to months of brutal hazing — including forced drug use, physical beatings, burning, and psychological torment. According to a lawsuit filed by his family, fraternity members speared a fishhook through his leg, shot staples into his hip, and pressured him to ingest cocaine and hallucinogenic mushrooms.
Sawyer died by suicide in January 2024. His family says the hazing he endured was a direct cause of the mental health crisis that took his life.
This was not an isolated accident. Sigma Chi’s UT chapter was already under scrutiny for a previous hazing incident. At least one complaint was filed with the university during Sawyer’s pledge period. Yet the chapter remained open — and now a family is grieving a loss that should never have happened.
Hazing is illegal in Texas. It is banned under UT policy. But clearly, policies are not enough without real accountability and enforcement.
We are calling on the University of Texas at Austin, the Texas Legislature, and national fraternity leadership to take immediate action:
- Enforce a permanent ban on the Sigma Chi Alpha Nu chapter at UT Austin
- Require public reporting of all hazing allegations and disciplinary outcomes
- Mandate hazing prevention training for all Greek organizations and new members
- Pass state legislation allowing felony-level charges for hazing that results in death or serious harm
- Create a clear, anonymous reporting system for students to safely report hazing without fear of retaliation
Sawyer’s death cannot be ignored or buried behind university statements. What happened to him was cruel, preventable, and unacceptable — and it is far from the first case of its kind.
Sign this petition to demand justice for Sawyer Updike and to protect students from dangerous hazing rituals masquerading as tradition. No parent should ever have to bury a child because of a fraternity initiation.
Photo: Fox
50
Petition created on December 3, 2025