The CSUN volleyball sensation Jordan Lucas has recently been honored at the Los Angeles HAPA Day celebrations, where the city has recognized Lucas as one of the premier representatives of cultural pride and mixed heritage and has helped spark national conversations through his sporting endeavors. Lucas is of Hawaiian and Filipino descent and frequently displays his island pride on court. The The
The LA City Council has long followed its tradition of celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage, culture, and traditions across Los Angeles on a specific designated HAPA Day. Established by the city to embrace diversity, HAPA is a self-chosen identity campaign designed to empower individuals of mixed Asian or Pacific Islander heritage and honor those who champion their identity unapologetically.
Jordan Lucas has been one of those voices recently, after gracefully countering a hostile, hot-mic comment made by a veteran volleyball commentator during a mid-April volleyball game. Lucas was criticized by Charlie Brande for his expressive celebrations and suggested physical intervention to stop Lucas’ antics. Lucas, however, responded to the comments by proudly affirming his LGBT heritage and highlighting his joyful on-court celebration as part of his identity.
Acknowledging the stance, LA City Council member Nithya Raman, who is also an immigrant to the United States herself, praised Lucas for his grace and strength in dealing with homophobia and highlighted his actions as being a pioneer in helping spark important conversations that would help the world come to terms with people belonging to different classes.
Being the first South Asian woman elected to the Los Angeles City Council, Raman acknowledged Lucas’ presence as a vital asset to the city’s multicultural fabric and honored the volleyball prodigy with the HAPA honor. Accepting the honor, Lucas thanked the city council and spoke about how much this honor means to his profile.
“Thank you so much, Council Member Ramen, for this honor. And also, thank you to you all for having me here. Being Hapa is something that means so much to me. It being a bi-heritage month is just so surreal to even be in this building right now. So thank you so much. And being a part of the LGBTQ community and also being a figure in sports, there’s not so much representation, so I’m just really glad that I get to be a part of it,” said Lucas.
Lucas also thanked the city council once again via his social media, alongside his fans, who also wrote words of encouragement that have given wings to the young athlete and to his mission of sports inclusivity.
Jordan Lucas Talks About Charlie Brande’s Apology
During the CSUN vs. UC Irvine volleyball game back in April, Charlie Brande made disrespectful comments about Jordan Lucas’ celebrations after winning points and sets and suggested that someone should physically stop him from doing so. Brande later apologized for the comments; however, he received huge backlash from the fans and was also criticized by UC Irvine.
Lucas was asked about his views on Brande’s apology and the volleyball sensation and spoke about appreciating the gesture while highlighting how it should not have been made viral.
“I appreciate that you have the ability to apologize and understand what you did was wrong, but I don’t think that UC Irvine had to post his apology in public,” said Lucas (2:19).
Lucas looks forward to progressing his time with the Matadors for the season while holding strong ambitions to compete in the national championships.
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