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Teen Fatally Hurt At Initiation

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By RAY REYES and RICHARD GOULD

The Tampa Tribune Hickory (N.C.) Daily Record

Published: November 21, 2008

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Harrison Kowiak

A 19-year-old Tampa resident who died Tuesday in North Carolina was injured during a fraternity initiation, authorities say.

Harrison Kowiak was one of two pledges participating in the initiation for the Theta Chi chapter at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C., investigators said Thursday.

The initiation involved playing a game similar to "capture the flag," Catawba County Sheriff David Huffman said.

The initiation was held about 11 p.m. Monday in almost total darkness, at a private, gated pasture called Buffalo Farm, sheriff's office Capt. Roy Brown said. About 17 people participated, authorities say.

The cold weather made the ground as hard as concrete, Huffman said. Kowiak died after receiving a head injury.

The sheriff's office says it does not consider the incident hazing.

Theta Chi's national chapter is cooperating with investigators, the sheriff's office said. Once the sheriff's office investigation is complete, the case will be submitted to the District Attorney's Office for review.

Hickory Daily Record reporter Sarah Newell Williamson contributed to this report.

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