Sigma Nu, brothers named in hazing lawsuit

Former IU student Chase Coslett filed a lawsuit against Sigma Nu fraternity Feb. 9, seeking compensation for a hand injury he allegedly suffered as a pledge in the fraternity in 2003 as a result of hazing.\nCoslett, an 18-year-old freshman at the time, said he suffered permanent injury to his hand during hazing activities at Sigma Nu, 1015 N. Jordan Ave. Because of his injuries, Coslett is still experiencing serious pain. He claims he was unable to complete his second semester at IU, and later transferred to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville after receiving threats of physical violence from members of Sigma Nu.\nThe suit names the national Sigma Nu fraternity, Sigma Nu Alumni Association and the IU Sigma Nu chapter as defendants. Also named in the suit are Chris Droff, Casey Holsapple, Steve Barr, Chris Young, Doug Schaaf, Chris La Belle, Chris Hamman, Bill Wagner, Mike Crafton and David Pulse. All the individuals except Pulse, who Coslett alleges injured him, held leadership positions in the fraternity at the time of the incident.\nHamman said he had no comment about the case. Holsapple referred questions to the national chapter. All other individuals could not be reached by press time.\nAccording to court documents, Pulse was a member of Sigma Nu but had dropped out of IU. The suit alleges he was invited to participate in the hazing, deemed "hell night," and was paid for his participation.\nIn March of 2003, Pulse was charged with a class D felony for criminal recklessness. The case was dismissed later that year in October.\nCoslett alleges after serving as a "taxi driver" for members of the fraternity on Feb. 13 2003, he was instructed to return to the Sigma Nu fraternity house. \nUpon arrival Coslett and other pledges were made to kneel while holding their heads straight back. \nHe claims some pledges had trouble breathing, while one fell and sustained a head injury. Members refused to take the pledge with a head injury to receive medical treatment.\nCoslett said he was then taken to the basement of the fraternity house, where he was interrogated with questions about the local fraternity, national fraternity and brothers of the fraternity.\nCoslett said when he answered a question incorrectly, brothers picked him up by his feet and forced his head into a barrel of ice water for several seconds.\nAccording to the suit, after two or three dunks, Coslett said he answered another question incorrectly and in response Pulse picked him up by the neck and slammed him into a chair.\nCoslett said Pulse then ripped off his shirt and threw him into a pile of trash containing broken glass. Coslett said his right hand was gushing blood from a wound. \nCoslett said at first the brothers refused to take him to the hospital. When they finally consented, they instructed him to lie about the nature of his injury and not to file a police report.\nSigma Nu Fraternity Inc. said it has been made aware of the lawsuit.\n"Hazing is against the founding principles and the policies of Sigma Nu fraternity," Executive Director of Sigma Nu Fraternity Inc., Brad Beacham said in an e-mail statement. "Counsel for the Fraternity will be investigating the allegations and will respond to the case."\nThe University is taking no action with the lawsuit being filed and the matter is closed, said Dean of Students Richard McKaig. \n"The University handed out sanctions to the chapter at the time of the incident," he said. "The national association (of Sigma Nu) handed down sanctions as well."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Haley Beck at habeck@indiana.edu.