1996 Perrymond hazing

The high-profile case for 1996 occurred at the University of Georgia, as a varsity football player was treated at the hospital for deep bruises and broken blood vessels in his buttocks. The athlete, Roderick Perrymond, told the police that three members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity paddled him about seventy times.[1]  Three men - two students and a former student – were officially charged with hazing and battery. The former student, Thomas Stevens, twenty-nine, was the chapter adviser. During the magistrate hearing, Perrymond and two other pledges described how they were paddled, or got “wood" as a form of punishment. When Perrymond was hit in the hamstrings, after telling members he normally received treatment for sore legs, an altercation ensued where Perrymond collapsed. He was taken to the hospital the next day.[2]  Three University of Georgia students who were members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity were suspended and eventually expelled from the University of Georgia after pleading guilty to hazing and battery charges.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity was found guilty by a university hearing board and suspended for five years, with the opportunity for reinstatement in two years.  Yet, the national organization planned to appeal the sanction, citing that there may have been some biases among members of the hearing panel.  The executive director, Lawrence Miller, indicated that he did not believe the national fraternity should be held responsible for the actions of its members.[3]

source:

Walter M. Kimbrough. Black Greek101: The Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities. Rosemount Publishing, 2003.

[1] Duane Stanford and Doug Cummins, “Police Probe UGA Hazing,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 12 September 1996, B1.

[2] Duane Stanford, “Frat Pledges Describe UGA Player’s Paddling,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 27 September 1996, B2.
[3] Rebecca McCarthy, “Suspension of UGA Fraternity To Be Appealed,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 30 October 1996, C6.