Longtime University of California, Irvine volleyball announcer Charlie Brande was fired by the school days removed from offensive comments made on the air regarding an opposing player.
During a match earlier this month between UC-Irvine and visiting California State University-Northridge, CSUN star Jordan Lucas — who is openly gay — recorded eight kills and seven digs during the match and celebrated on the court in a manner Brande felt deserved his commentary. The announcer remarked that he's surprised Lucas "hasn't been popped by somebody."
“I’m amazed Jordan Lucas hasn’t been popped by somebody,” Brande said, according to The Spun, citing reporting by OutSports. “The antics he’s making under the net, it’s very distasteful.”
In the days that followed, Brande apologized and took responsibility for his actions. He declared that violence should not be "acceptable or tolerated."
“I’d like to publicly apologize for my comment on the UC IRVINE VS CSUN Broadcast, Thursday, April 9,” Brande said in the statement. “Most importantly, I apologize to Jordan, I wholeheartedly regret my comment towards him. I take full accountability for my comment and the damage it may have caused. Violence should never be acceptable or tolerated.
“I have spent my life promoting the game of volleyball and regret any harm to the sport or the people that play it. I will learn from this and work to do better.”
UC-Irvin assistant athletic director Stacey King told OutSports that Brande has been removed as a commentator.
“His comments during the broadcast do not reflect the standards associated with our events or programs,” King wrote to Outsports. “UC Irvine Principles of Community guide our approach, including expectations of professionalism, sportsmanship, and respect. He will not be participating in future broadcasts.”
The Big West Conference also stated that it would be standing with Lucas amid the controversy, asserting that he did not commit any unsportsmanlike actions during the match.
“We stand with CSUN men’s volleyball student-athlete Jordan Lucas and all student-athletes in their rights to compete, celebrate and express themselves in a way that is authentic to them,” the statement read.
