With COVID-19 putting live sporting events on hold, the Cascade Collegiate Conference wanted to take the time to highlight families within our #ThisIsTheCCC community. Many of our member institutions have administration, coaches and student-athletes family members competing together, making the CCC truly a family affair.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – If you look at the Walla Walla University men's golf team, you might see double. That's because Jamison Collins and Bryson Collins are twins on the team.
"Once people meet us, they soon realize as we look very much alike," said Jamison, who is older by two and a half minutes.
The twins also have two older brothers and the four Collins brothers grew up playing sports together in Sacramento, Calif. In fact, Jordan played basketball and golf at WWU and Brendan also played golf at WWU.
"It was one of the best things to be a part of growing up," said Bryson, a nursing major with hopes of settling back down in his hometown of Sacramento. "We are all so close, but also very competitive in everything we do. The influence and example they set in all sports shaped how I play to this day."
"It is really special to be able to grow up playing sports with my brothers, who are also involved in many sports," added Jamison, who is majoring in aviation management and wants to fly commercially before working his way into private airlines. "Being able to have brothers to look up to and follow in their footsteps was really cool."
Bryson and Jamison followed in their older brothers footsteps, both beginning their collegiate careers with the Wolves this past fall. They weren't necessarily a package deal, but they were excited for the opportunity to be on the same team.
"I didn't think about playing with my twin brother until college came around and I realized I would have the opportunity to play golf with Bryson," said Jamison. "Being able to share the experiences that only happen once in my life with my family just makes it even more special and enjoyable."
While the experience was enjoyable, Bryson also found it intimidating.
"When playing with a family member, it's more intimidating," said Bryson. "You're looked at as a package. It's fun to know that people know who you are and look out for 'the twins' as Jamison and I are always referred to."
While "the twins" didn't get to compete with their older brothers – Brendan and Jordan did get to play at WWU together – they are still really close with them.
"A lot of people see that Jamison and I are twins, but can't believe that we also have two older brothers," said Bryson. "That's usually a shock to some people, as well as that we all get together well and are very close."
Walla Walla is a special place for the Collins family, it's where parents Hugo and Cheri met and married, and it's where their four boys lived out their dreams of playing college sports.