OU freshman Blake Adam Hammontree, 19, was found dead Thursday morning at the Sigma Chi fraternity house, said Officer Jennifer Newell of the Norman Police Department.
According to Newell, police received a call at 10:48 a.m. from inside the house reporting that Hammontree was not breathing. The medical examiner's office is still trying to determine the cause of death, she said.
OU President David L. Boren said in a press conference Thursday that he has reason to believe the death was alcohol-related.
Newell would not confirm if the death was the result of alcohol poisoning.
District Attorney Tim Kuykendall, who was at the house during the initial investigation, said the occurrence is potentially a homicide case.
"Right now it is an unlawful death until we find something out," Newell said. She said no arrests have been made.
Hammontree was found on the second floor of the house in its residential area, Newell said.
"It will take some time for them to piece together what happened," Kuykendall said. "We're going to have to wait and let law enforcement do their job and investigate the case."
More evidence to determine the cause of death will be available after an autopsy is conducted, Kuykendall said.
Interfraternity Council President Omar Zantout said he chose not to comment about the incident.
An anonymous student, who was an acquaintance of Hammontree, said that on Wednesday night-the night before Hammontree was found dead-the big brother-little brother celebration took place at the Sigma Chi house. The event was meant to match pledges with older members who will serve as mentors to them, she said.
Pressure is placed on pledges to binge drink at big-little night, she said.
"Big-little night is known for getting completely wasted," she said.
"Some fraternities make [pledges] drink more than one bottle [of liquor]," she said. "If you don't get sick, you obviously weren't doing what was supposed to get done."
A former Sigma Chi pledge, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed such a practice, saying, "They'll force you into it if you won't stand up to them."
The student's pledge experience caused him to leave Sigma Chi in nine weeks, after nearly getting into physical confrontations with members, he said.
"If you want a comparison, that place was like 'Animal House,'" he said. "You had guys staying up drinking until 4 every night, seven days a week."
However, former OU Sigma Chi President and OU graduate Casey Boyd said big-little night is not about drinking, but about creating bonds between big and little brothers.
"I want to dispel the rumor that big brother-little brother night is all about alcohol, because it's not," Boyd said.
By mid-afternoon, news of Hammontree's death had spread quickly across campus.
"Just walking to class, everyone I pass is talking about it," said Kevin Boyd, University College freshman. "I don't know if I knew him or not, but it's just kind of a shocker."
The impact of Hammontree's death was felt across the state at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.
"Our prayers are with the brothers who are facing one of the biggest challenges of their lives," said Ryan Sears, OSU Sigma Chi president.
Sears said alcohol is a nationwide problem on college campuses, one that is not limited to the greek system.
"College life definitely on most campuses...facilitates easier access to alcohol," he said. "Whether or not you're in the greek system, you're going to be tempted to go out and drink."
OSU, which has a dry campus, does not allow alcohol in greek houses, he said.
Boren extended OU's condolences to those grieving over Hammontree's death.
"It is heartbreaking to lose a member of our OU family," Boren said in a statement. "Our love and sympathy go out to his family and friends."
Hammontree graduated from Medford High School in Enid in spring 2004. He was the son of Grant County Judge Jack Hammontree.
Goddard Health Center is offering counseling for any students affected by the tragedy. Students may call 325-2911 to arrange counseling.
