AUSTIN, Texas — After the University of Texas announced Wednesday a campus spirit group, The Texas Cowboys, would be suspended for six years over hazing allegations, both sides of the story are now speaking out.
At the center of the allegations is a case regarding student Nicholas Cumberland, who died from injuries sustained during a car crash while returning from an off-campus retreat.
According to a report from our partners at the Austin American-Statesman, relatives of the student have since said they learned Nicholas was paddled with a stick during hazing rituals, which left welts on his body that were visible at the time of his death. At the same retreat, they said a new member of the group bit the head off a live hamster after being encouraged to do so by older members.
They reported that they believe hazing occurred in the hours leading up to the wreck, which gravely injured the 20-year-old business, finance and radio/television/film major.
Shawn Cumberland is Nicholas' father. After the Texas Cowboys released a statement following its suspension, he's speaking out saying its not enough.
Here's that statement, released by Edward R. Lopez, the president of the Texas Cowboys Board of Directors:
"The Texas Cowboys have served the UT and greater Austin community for nearly a century. For example, our members have volunteered tens of thousands of community service hours, donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to charity, and contributed to campus learning through activities such as hosting a lectureship series featuring world leaders on campus. Consequently, we are disappointed by the University’s decision today, and are saddened that it may prevent our organization from continuing this legacy of service. Throughout the investigation our entire organization has been completely transparent, engaged, and accessible. Indeed, the University has repeatedly complimented our members’ cooperation during the investigation. As an organization, we are disappointed by the misconduct of certain student members. In fact, we have expelled and suspended from our organization the students who were connected to the hazing. Their actions violated University regulations and did not align with our organization’s standards – and they do not represent the heart and soul of our organization.
However, hazing did not cause the car accident that took Nicky Cumberland’s life. The University’s ruling expressly determined that sleep deprivation did not occur at the retreat. According to the University, “multiple members reported that they were able to go to sleep at various times of the night . . . as well, no one reported having been prevented from sleeping.” The car accident was a tragic event that claimed the life of an exceptional person. We continue to mourn with Mr. Cumberland’s family and loved ones. Our organization is committed to learning, growing, and using this tragedy to educate and prepare the next generation of leaders to do better – and to more effectively serve others. However, we cannot accomplish these goals if the Texas Cowboys are no longer permitted to operate as an official student organization. Our leaders are currently reviewing their options and will make a decision shortly on how to proceed."
Shawn Cumberland told KVUE he is very unhappy with the response. He believes it proves the organization has not changed since the death of another student, Gabe Higgins, in 1995 after another alleged hazing incident at a Texas Cowboys retreat.
"There is no ownership, but rather lack of sincere remorse," Shawn said. "The Cowboys alumni does not accept responsibility for the continued culture of hazing and for the deceptive and dangerous system that was put in place to protect and promote hazing."
Shawn also claims the organization went into "preservation mode" with its lawyer following their son's crash.
"The investigator never looked once at the victim," said Shawn. "No inquiry of his parents about the marks on Nicky’s body; no request about the condition of his clothing; no request about the contents of his cell phone; no request about what eyewitnesses may have said to any of his family members; no discussion with his girlfriend about why Nicky was afraid he was going to get hurt prior to departing for the event. We would call this a whitewash."
He said the Texas Cowboys, which is known for firing off the cannons at football games, has become a "social organization trying to project an image as a service organization." He also criticized its fundraising efforts and volunteer service hours, saying the amounts they have made public are unsatisfactory for an organization of its size.
Shawn also strongly disagrees with the organization's "sleep deprivation" claim.
"The driver should never have been allowed to depart after a full day's event with our son and too many other passengers with inadequate sleep," he said. "Further, there were no seatbelts available for everyone. ... Numerous posted UT transportation policies were broken on that fatal trip."
Still, Shawn said he is open to a dialogue with the chairmen of the Texas Cowboys alumni as well as with UT President Greg Fenves.
"Based on the disappointing statement from the Cowboys, my fear is that upon returning from the six-year expulsion, nothing will have changed (again)," Shawn said.