Quadruplets, longtime U of M fans, headed to Michigan State this fall

EAST LANSING -- Defying biological and statistical odds, a set of quadruplets will join one of the largest freshman classes in Michigan State University history in August. 

Tony, Nick, Matt, and Patrick Doyle, 19-year-olds, are recovering University of Michigan fans who aren't afraid of togetherness once they step foot on the East Lansing campus. 

"We all try to one-up each other," Patrick Doyle said. 

These brothers from Manitou Beach, Mich., south of Jackson, have agreed to live in the same residence hall. 

They'll pair up in adjoining dorm rooms.

They've even agreed to share a bathroom. 

Quite a move for siblings whose first words were "Go Blue!," according to their parents. 

"I'd practice a lot with them," said father Rick Doyle, a U-M graduate, chuckling. 

MORE:

MSU prepares for one of largest freshman classes

Chinese student numbers decline at MSU

Editorial: MSU has opportunity to rebuild reputation

The Doyle brothers' relationship with U-M now appears to be a complicated one.

Tony Doyle, the youngest, born three minutes after his oldest brother Matt, said he still supports the Wolverines athletic teams.

But he, like his Spartan brothers, may eventually decide it's best to take a neutral stance. Or even switch sides. 

"I guess we all were Michigan fans our whole lives until we decided to go to MSU," Tony Doyle said. 

The quadruplets don't appear intimidated about leaving Onsted High School this spring for Wilson Hall and a 5,200-acre MSU campus with 557 buildings. 

Since first grade, the siblings have taken advantage of their unique relationship and thrived. They push each other to study, excel in sports and stay out of trouble. 

Chances are they'll help each other find their way around campus, too. 

All four finished among the top 12 of their senior class (109 students) and earned 4.0 grade point averages all four years. 

"We pretty much do everything together," said Matt Doyle, the oldest brother by one minute.

The brothers were born within three minutes of each other. 

Since 1990, the number of quadruplet births in the U.S. has ranged from 185 to 627 per year, according to Multiples of America, a nonprofit organization. 

At MSU, the Doyles will be part of a freshman class that's expected to be about 8,400 students. 

Mom may struggle a bit with her sons' absence from home. However, she said there are some advantages. 

For one, Christine Doyle will no longer have to fill two carts every time she visits the grocery store. 

She also expects her home will be a much quieter, cleaner place. 

"You can't stop it," Christine Doyle said laughing about the transition. "You just have to embrace it and adjust." 

Several academic scholarships will help pay for some the quadruplets' tuition, but their parents will cover most of it.

Christine Doyle predicts she and her husband will pay $125,000 annually to cover tuition and room and board. All four brothers have summer jobs lined up. 

"We hope they are debt-free or not as deep in debt," Christine Doyle said. "We want to help them." 

Campus life at MSU will certainly provide some luxuries, like the abundance of food choices in the residence hall cafeterias. 

But there's also plenty of responsibilities. 

Nick Doyle isn't worried. The brothers have shared a bathroom their entire lives and police themselves. 

"It's not like you're going to have a random roommate that just trashes the place," he said. 

Patrick and Tony are majoring in computer science at MSU; Nick seeks a criminal justice degree; Matt will study biology in the Honors College. 

None of them thought they would end up in East Lansing together. Other schools some of the brothers considered were Western Michigan University and Bowling Green State University. 

Matt Doyle was accepted to U-M. They others were put on a waiting list.  All of the brothers decided to keep their options open. 

A visit to MSU's campus convinced all of them they should be Spartans. 

Eager to move and get acclimated, the Doyles have discussed forming their own intramural basketball team. The brothers call themselves "the squad." 

"I consider them all my best friends," Tony Doyle said of his siblings. "We all help each other out." 

Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.