In 1977, Robert Brazile, a student at the University of Pennsylvania, collapsed and died at a fraternity house meeting due to injuries and beatings he sustained while pledging the fraternity.[37]
In 1978, Nathaniel Swimson, a student at North Carolina Central University, died during an off-campus initiation activity. He was asked to run several miles before he collapsed and died.[37]
In 1983, Vann Watts, a student at Tennessee State University, died of an alcohol overdose following an initiation party. It was reported that prior to his death, he was severely beaten and verbally abused by fraternity members.[38]
In 1984, a Hampton University student was killed participating in an Omega Psi Phi ritual. The family of the deceased student privately settled with the fraternity for an undisclosed amount as a result of his wrongful death.[39]
In 1986, Thomas Harold, a student at Lamar University, died as a result of running miles on Lamar's track as part of a pledging task.[40][41]
In 1993, 24 Omegas were arrested for making pledges from University of Maryland at College Park eat vomit and dog biscuits, dropping hot wax on their necks, and beating them so badly that they needed medical attention.[42]
In 1997, the fraternity was court ordered to pay a former Indiana University pledge $774,500 for injuries he sustained while pledging in 1994.[43]
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In 1999, Omega Psi Phi was court ordered to pay a former University of Louisville student nearly $1 million for suffering kidney failure due to hazing activity in 1997.[39]
In 2001, Joseph T. Green, a student at Tennessee State University, died as result of an asthma attack he developed from being asked to run long distances while pledging. In 2002, his family filed a $15 million wrongful death lawsuit against the men of Omega Psi Phi Incorporated.[44][45]
In 2009, a former pledge at the University of Houston (UH) settled with the fraternity for an undisclosed amount after being hit with a baseball bat, wood board, and TV antenna while pledging. The UH student wanted to join the fraternity because his father was a member. The chapter was placed on suspension following this incident.[46]
In 2014, the chapter at Valdosta State University was banned from campus until at least August 2022 due to severe hazing and violating the school's code of conduct.[47]
In 2015, six Omega Psi Phi members at Johnson C. Smith University were arrested and charged with assault for severely beating pledges over a two-month span.[48]
In 2015, four Omega Psi Phi members at Saginaw Valley State University were arrested and charged for striking pledges with open hands and paddles. One known pledge sustained a serious injury after losing consciousness one night pledging.[49]
In 2015, a Florida Atlantic University student reported to the police she was gang-raped at an Omega Psi Phi "Oil Spill" step show afterparty. Inside the party, she stated she was suddenly and forcefully pulled behind curtains and raped by a group of men in a dark area.[50][51]
In 2016, the fraternity at Florida State University was suspended for severely abusing pledges and violating the university's code of conduct.[52] Criminal charges were pending for members of the fraternity.
On August 28, 2016, two Ithaca College students were stabbed (one fatally) as they got into a fight as they left a Omega Psi Phi party held at Willard Straight Hall of Cornell University.[53][54][55]
In April 2017, Omega Psi Phi member and alleged spree killer, Steve Stephens referenced the fraternity multiple times in videos he posted during his killing spree. Stephens claimed that he was going to shoot "Greeks" in the head until he was caught.[56]
In 2019, national leadership of Omega Psi Phi, Inc., halted all new membership initiation activity when Georgia Tech football player Brandon Adams died during a fraternity event. During step practice for pledges at a townhome near campus, Adams collapsed and was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.[57][58]
See also