The family of a Cal State Fullerton freshman who died after an underground fraternity event is demanding action against unrecognized Greek organizations and pushing for new student protections.
Anthony Joseph Blas, 18, was dropped off unresponsive at St. Jude Medical Center on September 13 following an off-campus fraternity gathering, and investigators believe his death was alcohol-related. His family launched a public campaign Friday through a GoFundMe page, calling for legislative changes and stronger campus education about so-called “fake” fraternities.
“Our hope is to work with lawmakers… to push for stronger awareness and education for incoming college students, especially freshmen, about fake, underground, and unrecognized fraternities and organizations; how students can identify them; and the potential dangerous of becoming involved with an organization that is not what it claims to be,” the family wrote on the fundraising platform.
The event Blas attended was hosted by Delta Chi, a fraternity that lost its university recognition in 2021 over hazing allegations and violations involving “use, possession, manufacture, or distribution” of illegal drugs and alcohol, according to CSUF’s Student Organization Conduct Status. The former chapter’s location sits at the intersection where the gathering took place, though official confirmation of its involvement remains pending.
“We believe students deserve to have this information before they arrive on campus and before they are approached or recruited,” the family added in their GoFundMe statement.
Blas had only recently turned 18 and was described by relatives as excited about the future and the “dreams he was just beginning to build for himself.” His death has left the family searching for answers about why emergency services were not called when he was found unresponsive, and who was with him in the final hours before his death.
The national Delta Chi office told the OC Register that it has worked with university officials since the chapter’s closure to inform students that no active Delta Chi chapter exists at Cal State Fullerton. That outreach effort underscores the challenge administrators face: banned groups can continue operating underground, often without the oversight or safety protocols of recognized organizations.
“We want incoming students and their families to know what questions to ask, how to verify whether an organization is legitimately recognized, what warning signs to look for, and where they can turn for help if something doesn’t feel right,” the family wrote.
The Blas family also expressed concerns that hazing may have contributed to the circumstances of Anthony’s death, and they have called for a “complete and transparent investigation” into the incident. Their GoFundMe, which had raised over $1,800 toward a $10,000 goal as of Friday, will support their advocacy efforts.
The fraternity’s 2021 ban came after hazing allegations and drug-related violations that led the university to strip Delta Chi of its official status. Unrecognized chapters often persist in recruiting students who may not realize the group lacks university sanction, insurance, or accountability structures.
Blas’s relatives said they hope to use their son’s name to prevent similar tragedies, asking for stronger education and awareness so that other families will not face the same experience. Their campaign joins a growing national conversation about underground Greek life and the dangers posed by organizations operating outside university oversight systems.
The case also surfaces as another Southern California campus grapples with student safety concerns, with four rapes reported in three weeks at Cal State San Marcos leaving female students fearful and prompting some to arm themselves for protection while walking through campus.
The GoFundMe campaign remains active as the family pursues legislative outreach and public awareness efforts.