USTA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Loyola High School and Harvard-Westlake tennis teams supporting the Live Like Braun movement at their Southern Section Open Division playoff. (Photo – Loyola High School Athletics)
In the weeks since Southern California lost 18-year-old Braun Levi, something extraordinary has unfolded: a transformation born from heartbreak but fueled by something far greater than grief. What began as a tidal wave of shock and sorrow has blossomed into something bigger, brighter, and enduring. A current of love, remembrance, and celebration pulses through communities, across oceans, and into the hearts of people near and far. From coastline to classroom, from tennis courts to the wider world, Braun’s name no longer echoes in silence but rises in song, a vibrant anthem of a life lived fully and fiercely.
On May 4th, the world lost an extraordinary young man. Braun, a radiant soul, beloved tennis star, and senior at Loyola High School, was tragically taken too soon by an alleged drunk driver in Manhattan Beach. But this is not a story defined by tragedy alone. It is one of boundless joy, fearless kindness, and an unshakable spirit that continues to inspire a community united in his memory.
There have been paddle-outs in the Pacific Ocean, standing ovations in school gyms, shared stories beneath string lights, and rallying cries across tennis courts. “Live Like Braun” isn’t just a phrase, it’s a philosophy: a movement, a mission, a mantra.
Because Braun Levi didn’t live a small life. He lived with gravity-defying joy. With purpose. With laughter that could disarm any room and a spirit so radiant it seemed to glow through his skin.
A senior at Loyola, a standout tennis player and volleyball manager, Braun made you feel anything was possible just by standing next to him. His joy wasn’t fleeting, it was constant. As Loyola’s tennis coach Brian Held recalls, “From the first moments I met him as a freshman until he was a senior, he shared the same joy for life all around. Perhaps as a freshman it was more boyish, but there was a terrific innocence to how much he valued joy in everyone, everything, and all interactions big and small.”
Beyond his school and local community, Braun’s leadership extended into the wider tennis world as well. He was a proud member of the 2022-2023 USTA Youth Leadership Council (YLC), where he collaborated with peers across the country to promote the sport and uplift youth voices. This role reflected Braun’s deep commitment not just to playing tennis but to shaping a more inclusive, supportive community around the game he loved.
A Presence That Changed a Community
Braun wasn’t just admired, he was truly adored. Loyola’s community remembers him not only for his athletic talent but for the warmth and genuine enthusiasm he carried with him every day. Every teacher who knew Braun shares a consistent portrait: a young man who was positive, joyful, and fully engaged.
When asked about the impact Braun had on his classmates or the school environment, Coach Held shared a powerful reflection: “I always knew since he was a freshman how special he was for our tennis team. He became a leader and captain the next three years. He had a huge impact on our team, and this was always clear.”
“I also knew that he was a volleyball manager and just loved being involved, and that he was well liked. I wouldn’t describe him as ‘the most popular kid at school,’ but in the aftermath of the tragedy, what I didn’t realize, but became obvious in hindsight, was just how much of a positive impact he had on so many people! He did it with a million small positive droplets of interactions with people that had built up an incredible well of goodwill, that by the time of the accident, had filled up an entire ocean. All the stories and tributes and anecdotes of how he lived life to the fullest, made everyone feel great about themselves — he was doing that everywhere, literally everywhere — to the point where in any one of those groups, it may not have been obvious that it was happening at such a scale,” Held added.
These seemingly simple interactions were the building blocks of Braun’s enduring legacy: a kindness that reached far beyond the tennis court and into every corner of his community. In class, every teacher Coach Held spoke with described him the same way: focused, respectful, and always radiating joy and enthusiasm in his interactions with both teachers and fellow students.
What made Braun’s spirit even more extraordinary was the way it held firm when life tested him most. In January 2025, devastating wildfires tore through the Pacific Palisades and destroyed the Levi family’s home. Braun had to flee with almost no notice, he made a brief stop at the house but could only salvage a few belongings before escaping. He eventually got a ride partway, then skateboarded several miles through smoke and chaos to reach safety in Brentwood.
Remarkably, just one day earlier, Braun had been sitting front row in a packed lecture hall at Loyola High School, fully engaged in a community service project kickoff training. As part of a three-week program, students were putting their academic classes on pause to teach elementary schoolers about economics. Coach and teacher Brian Held remembers looking out at all 72 students and immediately noticing Braun: focused, attentive, and, as always, ready to lead with heart. “His eyes were glued in, locked, just like they always were in every class. He seemed genuinely excited about doing the project.”
Even after losing his home, Braun’s outlook didn’t change. “It was like he realized he had an abundance of positive energy,” Held said. “He was happy because he was okay, and so were the people he loved.” Braun didn’t dwell on what was lost. Instead, he poured himself into helping classmates and families who were struggling even more. “Maybe he always knew he had this gift,” Held reflected. “He probably knew it before, but this was the first time it was really tested in a profound way. And he was standing, head high, still happy with life.”
Yes, Braun was sad to lose some possessions, but that sadness never defined him. His response to tragedy was not despair, but action. Compassion. Gratitude. He turned pain into purpose and showed everyone around him what true resilience looks like.
Adelle, Jen, and Dan Levi gather with friends, family, and members of the community to remember and celebrate Braun Levi’s life. (Photo – Bo Bridges)
A Morning in the Ocean, a Circle of Love
On a sun-drenched, golden Saturday morning at Manhattan Beach, over 200 friends, teammates, and community members gathered for a paddle-out, a sacred surf ritual that serves as a heartfelt goodbye and a profound thank you. This timeless ceremony, rooted deeply in surf culture, was a fitting tribute to Braun Levi, whose impact rippled as powerfully and endlessly as the ocean itself.
Out on the water, they formed a circle of boards and bodies, a living halo framed by gently drifting flowers, a serene and sacred embrace honoring Braun’s spirit. Some wept openly, others whispered prayers, and many allowed the silence to carry the weight of their grief and gratitude. Meanwhile, on the shore, Braun’s bright yellow surfboard lay still, transformed into a poignant canvas of love and memory, covered with signatures, messages, and vows scrawled by aching hearts, each promising to carry his light forward, no matter where life’s currents may lead.
Loyola High School’s Director of Campus Ministry, Matt Schaeffer, captured the deep symbolism of the moment: “The Catholic Church teaches that God is bigger than ourselves, and the ocean is a perfect symbol, ancient and ever new. God is love. Let us pray and thank God for the gift of light and love that was Braun. We ask for His help in living like Braun.”
Many wore t-shirts emblazoned with a phrase that has swiftly transcended words: Live Like Braun. More than a slogan, it has become a rallying cry and a way of life. Together, they danced, they laughed, and they remembered a young man who made every room brighter, every wave lighter, and every life touched by him a little more joyful.
Over 200 friends, teammates, and community members gathered for a paddle-out to honor Braun Levi’s life and legacy. (Photo – Bo Bridges)
A Celebration of Life Beyond Any Room
On May 10, Loyola High School’s gym overflowed, not just with people, but with love, memory, and a collective heartbeat mourning and celebrating Braun Levi. Hundreds had gathered, but even that space could not contain the vast impact of a young man whose light had touched so many souls.
“Braun was happy every single day. The kid was never sad. He was kind every day,” his father, Dan Levi, shared with profound pride and awe. It was Braun’s infectious laughter, his radiant smile, and his magnetic presence that made him unforgettable. This gathering wasn’t merely a tribute; it was a testament to how Braun lived: fully, fearlessly, and with a heart wide open to every person fortunate enough to cross his path.
Braun Levi wasn’t just a gifted athlete or a promising University of Virginia-bound student. He was a force of nature, someone whose kindness drew people in, whose laughter lifted every room. Friends remember his rare gift: making everyone feel seen, valued, and truly important. By simply being himself, Braun transformed ordinary moments into celebrations of life and connection.
In just a month at Loyola, Braun had made friends with nearly everyone. His laughter was loud. His smile, contagious. “There was never a sad day when Braun was around,” a friend recalled. By the end of his first year, he was not only a tennis all-star but a beloved leader whose spirit inspired everyone around him.
Father Billy Biegler, Loyola’s chaplain, captured it perfectly: “By the end of every day, Braun showed us how deeply loving, effortlessly joyful, and fearlessly a person could be; larger than life.”
Braun Levi didn’t just leave memories behind, he ignited a movement. A movement that challenges us all to laugh louder, love harder, and live every single day with boundless curiosity, radiant joy, and unshakable intention.
Loyola Tennis Rallies in Remembrance
Just days after the tragedy, Loyola’s tennis team chose to move forward with their Southern Section Open Division playoff match against Harvard-Westlake. It was a difficult decision made after deep reflection and mourning.
“We want to play for Braun,” said Coach Held. Players from both teams wore “Live Like Braun” shirts. A moment of silence preceded the match. Braun’s mother, Jenn Levi, stood bravely among teammates, receiving hugs and support.
Braun’s longtime doubles partner and best friend, Cooper Schwartz, had initially planned not to compete, feeling no match could honor their shared title. But he chose to play, carrying Braun’s racquet as a symbol of their bond, and helped lead Loyola to close victories. Though Loyola fell short on the scoreboard, what they honored on the court was far greater: brotherhood, grief, and love.
Loyola senior captain Cooper Schwartz playing in honor of longtime doubles partner Braun Levi, teamed up with freshman Kiran Spurling. (Photo – Loyola High School Athletics)
What Braun Meant to His Teammates
For the Loyola tennis team, Braun wasn’t just a captain, he was the soul of the squad.
“When I was beginning my first years at Loyola, Braun was there supporting me in every way he could,” Blaze Hinton notes. “He would tell me to keep pushing and always wanted what was best out of me. Even on the tennis court, he pushed me to what he knew I was capable of.”
His leadership wasn’t loud or flashy, it was steady, constant, and full of heart. “He was the light and leader of the team,” Hinton continued. “Whenever anyone felt down, Braun was always there to help push you back up and really wanted the whole team to connect and have a good time on the tennis court.”
And even in the smallest moments, Braun left a lasting impression. “Whenever I saw him at school, he was always so casual, wearing flip flops and board shorts. He was always comfortable no matter what anyone thought of him.”
The team’s grief was matched only by their gratitude for the time they had with him and the support they found in their opponents. “Mourning the loss with another team helped me understand that Braun was loved by his competitors,” Hinton added. “Everyone that knew Braun loved and cared for him. The tribute at the match felt like a way to honor how he loved and how people felt after being around and with him.”
Wearing Live Like Braun gear, friends, family, and teammates showed up in full force to support Loyola Tennis at the Open Division playoffs. (Photo – Loyola High School Athletics)
A Future that Will Always Remember
Braun was just weeks away from graduating high school and had been counting down the days to begin his college journey at the University of Virginia this fall. His older sister, Adelle, remembered how often Braun would call her, brimming with excitement about the future. “It breaks my heart that UVA won’t get to experience his light,” she shared. “I can’t tell you how many times he called me and said, ‘Adelle, I’m so excited for college.’”
In a moving gesture, UVA honored the student they never got the chance to meet. During their NCAA Tournament match, the men’s tennis team wore Braun’s name on their sleeves and dedicated the win to him, advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals in his memory.
Although Braun’s journey at the University of Virginia was just beginning, he quickly made a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. Coach Andres Pedroso reflected, “Braun was the opposite of entitled and truly grateful for the opportunity to try out for the team,” embodying the spirit of a hardworking student-athlete eager to contribute. He added, “My interactions with him left me with the clear impression that he was humble, dedicated, and deeply passionate about tennis.”
The news of Braun’s passing devastated the UVA community, with countless alumni reaching out to share their heartbreak and stories of how deeply he had touched their lives. His excitement about becoming a UVA student was clear, and many are certain he would have been “an incredible addition to our student body.” Braun represented everything the university values: high character, meaningful relationships, and a sense of community that binds Wahoos worldwide. As Pedroso noted, Braun “had established a tremendous head start at representing the character and appreciation for others” that UVA takes great pride in nurturing.
Braun’s legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of the men’s tennis program. He embodied the core values the team strives to cultivate in every athlete: a profound love for the university, an unwavering passion for tennis, and a genuine commitment to uplifting others. As Pedroso notes, “Braun’s life symbolizes all of these essential qualities that define our team culture, and his spirit will forever remain a guiding presence within UVA Men’s Tennis.” His life and character will always be celebrated, serving as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact one young man can make simply by living with humility, dedication, and heart.
Healing Together, Living Forward
“We need you guys to get us through this,” Dan Levi said at the Loyola celebration. “Don’t forget about us. This will be a long journey for us to recover.”
But as the ocean waves rolled in during the paddle-out, as tennis racquets were gripped tighter during matches, as laughter rang out among friends recalling his favorite jokes, it became clear that Braun Levi’s spirit is still here.
He taught everyone around him to laugh louder, hug longer, live bigger. To be endlessly curious, unshakably kind, and always ready for fun. His was a life full of light, and now, his light lives on through all who knew and loved him.
To Live Like Braun is not just to remember him. It is to become the best versions of ourselves, just as he made us feel we already were.
The Outpouring of a Community United
ATP Tour World No. 137 Emilio Nava recently paid tribute to Braun on an international stage. The West Hills native, 23, vowed to honor the late 18-year-old’s memory by wearing a patch on his sleeve dedicated to speaking out against drunk driving.
On Tuesday, June 3, ATP Challenger star Nava paid homage to Braun while revealing to his fans and the world the “LIVE LIKE BRAUN” initiative he had undertaken in remembrance of the young athlete.
“Tragedy hit on May 4th when a young man’s life was cut short by a drunk driver. Though I never had the privilege to meet Braun, his passing affected me deeply,” Nava wrote on Instagram following his second-round match at Roland Garros. “The impact he had on his community, his classmates, fellow tennis players, and everyone whose path he crossed is hard to put into words. To live life with such passion, to bring a smile to everyone around him, and to make a positive impact on those he touched are qualities and virtues we should all aspire to.”
“Since Roland Garros, I’ve been wearing the LLB, Live Like Braun, patch in his honor and to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving. Because the truth is it could have been me, you, any of us. I’ll continue to wear the patch for the rest of the season to keep his memory alive and to support this important cause,” he added.
The 23-year-old also shared that the LLB Foundation would focus on promoting values such as kindness and strength.
“The Live Like Braun Foundation was created to carry forward the values Braun embodied such as kindness, strength, and a deep commitment to others. I grew up not far from Braun, and tragedies like this should never happen.”
The Live Like Braun Foundation
From the depths of their grief, the Levi family has created a beacon of hope, the Live Like Braun Foundation, dedicated to carrying forward the boundless spirit of a young man who showed us all what it means to live with heart, courage, and unwavering kindness. This foundation is far more than a tribute; it is a living legacy, a promise to embody the values Braun held most dear: kindness that uplifts others, strength that faces every challenge head-on, and a community that binds us together for a lifetime.
Through initiatives that promote safe driving, mental wellness, and scholarships for young athletes who, like Braun, pursue their passions with integrity, the foundation transforms sorrow into purpose and action. Every handmade bracelet crafted by Lexxi Kiven and her mother, every upcoming shirt and hat, and every act of generosity is a pledge: to live boldly, love deeply, and laugh louder.
This community, united by love, connection, and a shared mission, invites everyone to join in carrying Braun’s light forward. Supporting the foundation, whether through a donation, a bracelet, or simply spreading the message, is a commitment to live as Braun lived: fully, fearlessly, and with a heart wide open.
You can support the foundation by donating directly or purchasing a handmade Live Like Braun bracelet from Lexxi Kiven and her mother. Each bracelet represents a promise to carry Braun’s light forward. The minimum suggested donation is $15, with all proceeds going directly to the foundation’s mission. To order, Venmo @alexxis-kiven and include “LLB” in the note so your order can be matched. Due to the overwhelming response, please allow extra processing time.
USTA Southern California members can order bracelets through a special form, and merchandise including shirts, necklaces, hats, beach towels, hoodies, and more are available for purchase here.
Grounded in love and connection, this community invites all to carry Braun’s light forward. Because to Live Like Braun is not just to remember a life lost too soon, it is to ignite a movement: to live every day with more heart, more courage, and more joy, just as he taught us. His light still shines, guiding us all to be bigger, kinder, and braver than we ever thought possible.
A volleyball court renamed “Braun’s Court” surrounded with memorabilia. (Photo – Bo Bridges)
