STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The fraternity where a New Jersey student died on Friday has suspended operations, according to a statement released by the Beta Theta Pi chapter on Monday afternoon.
The decision for a temporary suspension of the Alpha Upsilon chapter during the investigation into the death of Timothy Piazza, 19, was made by both the university and the fraternity. The chapter also said it appears his death was the result of “an accidental injury sustained from a fall in the chapter house,” according to a statement.
Piazza, who grew up in Readington Township and graduated from Hunterdon Central Regional High School in 2015, died from injuries from in a fall at the fraternity house, where he had just started pledging, it was previously reported.
“Our chapter is mourning the loss of Tim Piazza, a student who recently accepted an invitation to join our fraternity,” the chapter said in a statement. “We are working closely with our General Fraternity to determine how this happened, and are fully cooperating with police and Penn State administrators in their own investigations … our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family during this difficult time.”
N.J. student dies after fall at Penn State fraternity
Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Caps wrote in a statement that students are being offered counseling through the university’s Counseling and Psychological Services.
“Our deepest sympathy goes out to Tim’s family and friends during this mournful time,” she wrote.
Nancy Tucker, communications officer at Hunterdon Central, said in a statement: “The administration and staff of Hunterdon Central offer our deepest sympathy to the Piazza family and friends during this difficult time.”
Piazza, who was studying engineering at Penn State, played football while at Hunterdon Central. He also was on the spring track team, taking part in shot put, javelin and discus, according to NJ Advance Media archives and his college profile. His older brother, Michael, is also a student at Penn State.
A member of the Homecoming Court in 2014, he also served as a Red Devil ambassador at Hunterdon Center and on the school’s Teen Prevention Education Program. He volunteered with the Hunterdon Outreach Program to help teach special needs children football, basketball and baseball.
Piazza also took part in the Hopeful Holidays and Readington’s Holiday Gifts Program, donating Christmas and holiday gifts to those in need. In his junior and senior years, he also tutored upper level math and science.
Craig Turpin may be reached at cturpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @NJeditor. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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