Sigma Pi fraternity and Wiant family reckon with impact of hazing death
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This was the day the Sigma Pi fraternity would fight for its survival.
The brothers would go before an Ohio University disciplinary board to face 11 violations of the student code of conduct — allegations that they used hazing, hazing with brutality and harmful behavior.
The Sigma Pi brothers, those who pledged with Collin Wiant, were called one by one.
And one by one they recanted, disputed or said they forgot what they had told investigators on the Athens campus months earlier.
Hazing? There was no hazing. No one was punched or beaten with belts.
They said the investigator asked leading questions and had put words into their mouths.
Yeah, there was some heavy drinking and playing tackle football in boxers, but that was just “boys being boys.”
One admitted that he had talked with his Sigma Pi brothers about what he might say to the disciplinary board.
And they sounded frustrated and angry about having to answer questions about Collin Wiant’s death.
In the end, Ohio University officials had seen and heard enough.
They expelled the Sigma Pi fraternity.
Criminal case: Felony charges highlight dangers of hazing
But that decision would be far from the end for Collin’s parents, Kathleen and Wade Wiant, and their four other children.
Collin’s younger brother, Aidan, has been through intense therapy to deal the loss of his brother.
Kathleen searched online for the best way to respond when someone asks how many children you have after one of your children dies.
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Wade remains angry with his alma mater and himself for not doing more to save Collin.
They all are dealing with the anger and anguish in their own way.
They still seek answers that may never come.
They are doing what they can to ensure that other families won’t face this pain.
But no matter what happens with the criminal investigation, the family’s lawsuit against the fraternity, with the response by university or Greek organizations, or with any legislative action toward an end to hazing, nothing will bring back Collin.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Expulsion of Ohio University fraternity little comfort to mourning family
