This week I go in the locker room with two brothers whose names are known throughout campus: the Pisanis. Sophomores Chris and Jon, who are playing golf this spring, sat down and shed new light into the world of being a Pisani. Jon is a veteran golfer, having played in high school, and is now going into his second season for the Yeomen. Chris, on the other hand, is in his first season as a golfer, adding another sport to his impressive resume of playing football and previously playing baseball while at Oberlin. The twins discussed being brothers on a team together, Halo and many other fascinating aspects of the Pisani lifestyle.

M: Jon, in high school you competed on the academic bowl team and placed third in the physics category. How would you say your experience with the team helped prepare you to compete in collegiate golf?
J: That’s a great question. Well, to be honest, it really helped build my concentration and helped me to focus just like you need to on the golf course. The team competed in events against other teams where you had to answer scholastic questions and it trained me to focus and perform the best individually in order to help my team.

M: Seeing as you both play golf here, it is assumed that you played in high school. Is this true?
J: Yes, I played two years junior varsity and two years varsity.
C: Well, actually, I did not play in high school because golf season was during football season so I could not play both at the same time.

M: But Chris, if you did not play on your high school team how did you hone your golfing skills to be good enough to play for Blake New (OC men’s golf coach)?
C: Well, I had to really focus and work hard on playing a lot in the summer and keeping my game up to par.

M: Who would each of you say is your favorite golfer and what aspect of the game do you wish you could perform like him or her?
C: Ernie Els, because he hits the ball really far but puts no effort in his swing. It’s just real smooth and he looks like he’s out there having a good time. I wish I could swing effortlessly and hit the ball 335 yards like Els.
J: I would have to say my favorite golfer is Craig Stadler because he’s just an average Joe who goes out and performs week in and week out. He always seems real calm, never gets angry; he’s got a real grasp of the mental game of golf.

M: Chris, you have played football, baseball and now golf while being at Oberlin. How have your past experiences helped to prepare for this new collegiate challenge?
C: I think every sport is the same with mental. In football you have to know your plays, you have to know your opponent inside and out. Baseball, after your first at bat you have to know the pitcher and be ready for what he is going to throw you the next at bat. In golf, if you make a good shot you have to remember what you did well in your swing and you have to try to repeat it the next time. Bad shots, you have to just forget about ‘em and get them out of your mind. The mental aspect is the same no matter what sport it is. You have to be educated to play some kind of sport.

M: How would you describe your relationship as brothers?
C: I would say we are really good friends and the best part about it is we are complete opposites. Jon is the real laid-back kid and I’m the real loud, obnoxious kid. Jon helps me to get grounded when I get over the top, and I help Jon to spread out a little and be more social. Jon goes out to parties and stuff, having a good time.

M: You not only play golf together, but while Chris, you are on the field, Jon is on the sideline of every game as the team’s trainer. How do you guys feed off each other in all the things you do together?
J: Well, in football I have a better vantage point off the field than Chris does on the field. Where he sees only one part of the field I can see the whole field of play, so if I see anything I can relay it to Chris.
C: Jon just helps me with everything in life, he’s helped me to become more of a scholar. Jon is just brilliant with his mind; books come very easy to him. In college, high school and throughout life, Jon has helped me to become better at school. Whenever it came to a sport, if he had any little twitch I would help him work it out. He teaches me books and I teach him sports.

M: Chris, you have a lot of tattoos, do they all mean something?
C: All of them do mean something. I have one for football with my number, STRENGTH AND DETERMINATION for my accident, but one of the closest to me is the one I share with Jon. We each have our initials J and C interlocking with twins in italian under the letters.

M: What do you guys like to do while not working on your sports?
J: I have an X-Box 360 and I play Halo 2 a lot. I would actually like to extend a friendly challenge out to anyone who will play me. They can email me and I’m down to play. One thing is that I am alright at individual but really good at the team game.
C: My hobbies are learning and I would really like to become more educated with books. I mean, I love sports, I will watch anything that is on ESPN.

M: How would you describe the image of athletes on this campus?
C: I wish more people would get to know and try to talk to them because anyone who comes to Oberlin is intelligent. Athletes are intelligent people and can hold conversations with other brilliant students and everyone can learn from each other. I have people on this campus who have gotten to know me and will ask me in the weight room how to do lifts or how to work out certain parts of the body. Then when it comes to something school related like math or science and I don’t know the answer, they can help me out. I just don’t think athletes are shown the same respect they show other students. We go to concerts and things and support other students, yet when was the last time something like a men’s lacrosse game had half the stands filled?