Charlie Brande, a UC Irvine volleyball legend and color commentator, has issued a public apology following controversial remarks made during a Big West Conference match between UC Irvine and Cal State Northridge (CSUN) on April 9, 2026.
The controversy centered on Brande’s comments regarding Jordan Lucas, a redshirt junior for CSUN. During the broadcast, Brande expressed surprise that Lucas had not been popped
by an opponent due to his celebrations during the game.
Lucas, who identifies as gay, is known for celebrations following positive plays that are often described as flamboyant. In the match in question, Lucas recorded seven digs and eight kills, though his team ultimately lost to UC Irvine.
Brande described the athlete’s behavior under the net as very distasteful
and stated, I’m amazed Jordan Lucas hasn’t been popped by somebody
.
Reaction and Condemnation
The comments drew immediate backlash from the volleyball community and across social media. Critics argued that the nature of the comments was specifically targeted at Lucas’s identity.
Volleyball commentator Canaan noted a double standard in how such behavior is perceived, stating that if a straight player performed similar actions, it would be viewed as tough
, but because Lucas’s actions were feminine and flamboyant
, Brande suggested he deserved to be popped
.
Arielle Houlihan, a volleyball coach and influencer, characterized the insinuation of physical violence as an absolute abomination
and questioned if the act Brande suggested would constitute a hate crime.
Public Apology
Following the outcry, Brande released a statement on April 12, 2026, via the UC Irvine Volleyball social media channels. In the apology, Brande specifically addressed his comments from the April 9 broadcast.
I’d like to publicly apologize for my comment on the UC IRVINE VS CSUN Broadcast, Thursday, April 9
Charlie Brande
The apology followed intense criticism from prominent voices within the sport who condemned the suggestion that a college athlete should be punched or physically assaulted for their on-court celebrations.