Lander University

Turner Kirby

Gary Hipps, a Lander Alumni, speaks to the crowd of nearly 1000 students inside Finis Horne Arena on Sunday

General 9/17/2024 10:59:00 AM Turner Kirby - Director of Athletic Communications

Bearcats Don’t Haze: Parents of Victim of Hazing Speak to Athletes and Greek Life

GREENWOOD - Nearing the tenth anniversary of their son Tucker's death, Cindy and Gary Hipps spoke inside Finis Horne Arena on Sunday evening to a crowd of nearly 1,000 athletes and members of Greek Life about the dangers of hazing and its prevalence in college life.

Tucker Hipps died on the morning of September 22nd, 2014, while participating in an early morning run at 5:30 AM as part of his pledge into the Beta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon at Clemson University. Pledges started looking for Tucker when he didn't report to a 7:00 AM breakfast, but the first contact with law enforcement did not occur until 1:45 PM. The brother who called did not want to file a missing person report.

Cindy and Gary founded the Tucker W. Hipps Memorial Foundation in 2018 to use Tucker's story to raise awareness of hazing and support anti-hazing efforts.

As a result of Tucker's death, his parents helped pass the Tucker Hipps Transparency Act in the State of South Carolina in 2016. This act requires public institutions of higher learning to provide a public report of "actual findings of violations of the institution's Conduct of Student Organizations by fraternity and sorority organizations formally/currently affiliated with the institution." More information about the Tucker Hipps Transparency Act and how it relates to Lander can be found here

"I appreciate both Cindy and Gary Hipps for taking the time to come and speak to our student-athletes and Greek Life," said Associate AD for Student-Athlete Success Jamie Wilson. "The Hipps and their story are crucial in helping to foster a safe and more responsible environment for our students."

Cindy Hipps makes regular appearances speaking to many groups around the state. However, Gary Hipps, an alumnus of Lander, made his first speaking appearance on Sunday at his Alma Mater.

"It was great returning to Lander, where we spent much of our dating years," said the couple. It was great to be invited and to speak to such a large, engaged crowd of young people."

As part of the presentation, the Hipps showed several statistics about hazing and its prevalence in the college student life landscape. Over 55% of college students who are involved in extracurricular activities have experienced hazing of some sort. That number grows even higher when looking at varsity athletics as that number approaches 75%.

"Our yearly Title IX and hazing prevention seminar reinforces our commitment to a safe and respectful environment. I hope the engaging presentation and meaningful dialogue left a lasting impact on all participants," said Wilson.

More information about the Tucker W. Hipps Memorial Foundation and the work they do to prevent hazing can be found here.

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