Fullerton, California — An 18-year-old California State University, Fullerton student has died after attending an event at an unaffiliated fraternity, prompting his family to raise money for funeral expenses while calling for greater awareness about the potential dangers of unrecognized college organizations.
Anthony Joseph Blas was pronounced dead after being taken to the emergency room at St. Jude Medical Center shortly after midnight on Sept. 13. According to the Fullerton Police Department, his death was likely related to alcohol consumption.
Now, his family is asking the public to help them honor Blas while also using his death to educate students and families about organizations they describe as “fake,” underground or unaffiliated fraternities.
Family Remembers Anthony Blas
Blas had only recently begun his college journey at Cal State Fullerton. He was 18 years old and a freshman, having spent only a few weeks at the university.
His family described him as someone who brought happiness to the people around him.
The GoFundMe page established following his death states:
“Anthony was such a fun, loving, and unforgettable person,” the GoFundMe page reads. “He brought laughter and happiness wherever he went, and he was deeply loved by his family, friends, and everyone who knew him.”
The fundraiser is intended to help the family with funeral expenses while also supporting their effort to raise awareness among young people about unrecognized organizations operating around college campuses.
Blas Attended Event at Former Delta Chi Chapter
According to the information provided by his family, Blas attended an event at Delta Chi the night before his death.
The organization had previously been recognized as a fraternity at Cal State Fullerton. However, the university withdrew its recognition in 2021 following hazing allegations and seven other violations of university rules.
The national Delta Chi organization also reportedly does not recognize the former Cal State Fullerton chapter.
According to statements cited from the organization’s national office, Delta Chi has worked with university officials since the chapter’s closure to make students aware that there is no active Delta Chi chapter at Cal State Fullerton.
The organization also expressed support for an investigation into what happened.
“Following the closure of the chapter, Delta Chi has proactively worked with university officials to make students aware that no active Delta Chi chapter exists at California State University, Fullerton,” the Delta Chi national office is quoted saying. “We fully support a thorough and transparent review of the facts by the appropriate authorities. … Anthony’s family deserves answers, and all those affected deserve a complete understanding of the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.”
Family Wants Students to Recognize the Risks
Blas’ family says they want his death to lead to broader conversations about organizations that may present themselves as legitimate fraternities despite lacking official university or national recognition.
Their GoFundMe message calls for greater education aimed at incoming college students, families and surrounding communities.
The family wrote:
“Our family hopes to begin working toward meaningful changes in the law,” the GoFundMe page reads. “Our hope is to work with lawmakers, educators, and communities 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 dangers of becoming involved with an organization that is not what it claims to be.”
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The family is specifically calling for students to learn how to determine whether a fraternity or organization is officially recognized before participating in its activities.
Fundraiser Reaches Thousands
As of Sept. 26, the GoFundMe campaign had raised approximately $4,100 toward its $10,000 goal.
The fundraising appeal emphasizes how recently Blas had begun college and how much his family believed he still had ahead of him.
“Anthony had so much life ahead of him, and he just recently turned 18 years old,” the GoFundMe page reads. “He loved playing football along with his twin brother. He was excited about his future and the dreams he was just beginning to build for himself. Anthony was a freshman student who had only been at Cal State University, Fullerton for a few short weeks, and he was excited and looking forward to his future.”
His family is now left mourning a young man they say was just beginning to build his future.
The circumstances surrounding his death have also prompted questions about the event he attended and the role of an organization that was no longer officially recognized by the university or its national fraternity.
As authorities and those involved work to establish the full circumstances, Blas’ family says they want his story to serve as a warning for other college students and families.
What do you think colleges and families can do to better educate freshmen about unrecognized organizations and potentially dangerous off-campus events? Share your thoughts in the comments.
