As a new school year commences, A&E delves into the dark side of frats and sororities in the six-part docuseries Houses of Horror: Secrets of College Greek Life. First-hand testimonies reveal criminal activities, horrifying incidents, and tragic narratives within these close-knit brotherhoods and sisterhoods.
The episode airing on August 19 focuses on the tragic hazing death of Timothy Piazza in 2017. Pledging to the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Penn State University, he endured a hazing ritual called “The Gauntlet”. This led him to consume excessive amounts of alcohol and fall down basement stairs, sustaining multiple injuries. Despite his dire condition, fraternity members delayed seeking medical help, fearing repercussions. Timothy later passed away in the hospital.
Following his death, 18 Beta Theta Pi brothers faced initial charges for their involvement. His parents, Evelyn and Jim, have dedicated themselves to legal action and advocating for new legislation to prevent other parents from experiencing the unimaginable pain of losing a child. Two former university students recently pleaded guilty to hazing and endangerment charges. Legislation like the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law has been enacted in Pennsylvania and other states to heighten penalties and mandate schools to report and address hazing incidents.
In an interview, the Piazzas discuss their son’s involvement in the episode.
A&E
What was your initial reaction to A&E exploring Greek life in this docuseries?
Jim Piazza: I believe it’s crucial. Awareness is key. It’s vital for people to understand what happened to our son and others due to joining such organizations. This platform can make a significant difference in creating awareness.
Why did you choose to participate?
Evelyn Piazza: Despite the difficulty of being interviewed and discussing it, it’s essential because Tim could have been anyone’s son. If it happened to Tim, it could happen to anyone. This platform is vital for spreading this information.
What was the experience like revisiting the events?
Jim: Tim could have been any child. He was a kind kid, not into partying but sports and hanging out. He sought to join an organization to make a large school feel smaller. Unfortunately, it turned out terribly, as he thought he would make new friends but they weren’t real friends.
How was it being interviewed on such a large platform?
Evelyn: Speaking at college campuses about Tim and that night is always painful but necessary. We felt it was our duty to speak out and raise awareness to prevent further tragedies.
Do you want to direct people to support your cause?
Evelyn: Visit the Anti-Hazing Coalition for information on our cause, legislation details, and how to contribute. Also, check out our foundation at www.liveliketim.org which supports specialized prosthetics for children in need.
What impact do you think this show will have?
Jim: The show will raise awareness and hopefully prompt action to prevent hazing incidents. With more stringent laws and enforcement, we can deter such behaviors. People need to be informed and push for change in legislation at the state level.
House of Horrors: Secrets of College Greek Life, airs on August 19 on A&E
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