Rich Van Wyk/Eyewitness News
Crawfordsville -- A former Wabash College student has filed a lawsuit against the college and several Sigma Chi fraternity members over an alleged hazing incident that he says nearly led to his death. Paul Ackerman’s attorney says his client was forced to consume alcohol at a dose that could have been lethal.
In the annual chapel sing, pledges shout, chant and yell the fight song. The Sphinx society has sponsored the competition for decades. Sphinx President AJ Lyman says it is an intense experience. “You practice for it. I wouldn't say there is hazing that goes on with it at all.”
The lawsuit claims members of the Sigma Chi force fed pledges hot sauce and crackers during practice. The lawsuit says 18 year old Paul Ackerman was forced to drink alcohol as a condition of joining the fraternity. Ackerman passed out and was taken to the emergency room.
Fraternity members didn't want to talk about the incident.
The suit claims the college is equally responsible, asserting Wabash "directly and indirectly encouraged, sanctioned and refused to prevent hazing, harassment, and abuse of fraternity pledges." Wabash College responded with a prepared statement saying, "We strongly disagree with and think the factual allegations are false. We deny the college has any liability and plan to vigorously defend itself against the claims."
