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Quadruple Double Brothers
Quadruple Double Sigma Pi Brothers
by Kyle Heimbigner (Washington State '10), contributing writer
They call themselves the “quadruple double” brothers.
The phrase comes from the University of California - Irvine, where Sean Lobb was initiated into Eta-Upsilon Chapter in 2009. When his younger brother Kevin (Cal Poly ’14) joined Sigma Pi, they became the “doubledouble” brothers.
Fast forward seven years and two more Lobb siblings, Braden (Cal Poly ’18) and William (UC-Irvine ’21), the “quadruple-double” brothers moniker was born. The four enjoy a bond few Sigma Pi brothers get to experience. Their connection as biological brothers has deepened as they became Fraternity brothers. “It is an amazing experience to have all of my three little brothers in the same fraternity as me,” Sean said. “We would not be as close, and we would not have shared all the things we did.” Sean points to the ritual and brotherhood of Sigma Pi that furthered the bond between the Lobb brothers. He attended each of his biological brothers’ initiation rituals and said they got lettered apparel each time to commemorate the special occasions. “It’s hard to put into words,” Sean said, “It’s just been super special.” On top of the Lobb brothers’ connection, a bridge has been built between the two chapters. Sean has spoken to Eta-Delta Chapter at Cal Poly on topics such as leadership and recruitment. The chapters have shared ideas on increasing recruitment and expanding philanthropic efforts. When Sean started college, he never could have imagined that he and his brothers would be fraternity brothers. As a freshman, Sean didn’t think he would join a fraternity. None of the men in his family had joined a fraternity. Two things made a lifetime of difference in the Lobb brothers’ lives. First, their mother had been in a sorority at UCLA and was president of her chapter. Sean knew a little bit about Greek life from her experiences. The second, Sean met Griffin Conway (UC-Irvine ’07) and several other Sigma Pi brothers at UC-Irvine and enjoyed how down-to-earth they were. He felt right at home with them. “They were kind, welcoming, and came from all walks of life,” Sean said, “I was thrilled to join that group.” It also didn’t hurt that many of the brothers lived right off the beach, and they joked about dolphins distracting them when they grilled. Sean quickly became active in the chapter and took up various leadership roles, including brotherhood chair, recruitment chair, philanthropy chair, and on to the Executive Council as First Counselor. He eventually became Chapter Sage. The only thing Sean wanted for his brother Kevin when it was time for him to go to college was for him to find the same type of click Sean did. It just so happens that click was with Eta-Delta Chapter at Cal Poly. The rest, they say, is history. “Once Kevin joined,” Sean said, “the rest of my little brothers fell in line.”
In a nod to their mother, who passed away in 2014 due to pancreatic cancer, Sean hopes that he and his biological brothers will be remembered for their leadership within their chapters, along with being the “quadruple-double” brothers. It’s safe to say they’re well on their way. Kevin became social chair during his time as an undergraduate, and Braden recently finished a term as Sage. Though only recently initiated, William plans to take up leadership roles with being on his chapter’s Executive Council the goal. As for the future, Sean knows he and his brothers will continue to be influenced by Sigma Pi. “The Fraternity will impact us for the rest of our lives,” he said with a smile. “It seems like there is a Sigma Pi wedding every month.” Sean plans to stay involved with his chapter and other chapters in California. He says he feels compelled to give back. He wants to continue the local support Larry Rovira (Cal State Fullerton ’80) and others have started for California chapters.
