Famed quad Calli Durst embraces Northwestern experience
By Greg Johnson
ST. PAUL -- During a women's basketball home game in mid-December, Northwestern College Head Coach Aaron Kahl looked across the court and noticed that one of his players was sitting in the stands dressed in street clothes. “Why is Calli Durst not on the bench,” he thought of the freshman. Kahl looked down at the row of players behind him and saw that Durst was indeed dressed in her Eagles uniform and engaged in the game. “Strange,” he thought. Not long after, Kahl saw a third version of Calli dressed completely different than the other two he had seen, and then it hit him. “Ah yes. The Durst family is here.”
Born on February 10, 1993 at precisely 10:51 p.m., Calli Durst became a big sister faster than most girls. Her sister Kendra was born a minute later at 10:52 p.m., followed by Megan at 10:53 and Sarah at 10:54. And thus, the legacy of the Durst quadruplets began.
Prior to moving on campus as a freshman in August, Calli and her three sisters have lived life with one another for the last 18 years. Because they are one of about five dozen sets of identical quadruplets worldwide, the Durst quads have easily gained attention since birth. (Read their story in the Star Tribune article Four of a kind? Identical quads couldn't be more different.)
Throughout their youth, the Durst quads made the rounds of TV talk show appearances from Jay Leno to Montel Williams to Maury Povich. “Montel is a really solid legit dude,” said Calli, who noted that her touring highlights included appearing on Leno's show on the same night as actor Rob Lowe and meeting Donald Trump before taking the set of Povich's show. Years ago, Leno told Oprah Winfrey, “You don't interview the Durst quadruplets, you referee them.” “That's definitely a true story,” Calli said. Whether it was trying to claim priority in what each sister was going to wear, who owned the first rights to the bathroom in the morning or what the family was going to eat for dinner that night, life was a competition for Calli and her sisters. “Growing up and becoming adults, we've changed a little bit. But through the years, from the first time we were on TV together until we were 10 years old, I think all we did was fight and bicker with our super high-pitched voices!”
Signing up for their own TV show, Four of a Kind on Lifetime, was a decision the Durst quads made together though. “We sat down together to think and talk about whether to do the show or not because we knew if we chose to do it, it would be life changing and we'd have to all stick together through it” said Calli. After filming for three months, the eldest of the quads learned from her experience. “I was in for a big awakening when we signed those papers,” she said. The show made me very aware of my choice of words - what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it. How did I want my attitude to be shown through TV?” She also quickly learned how to balance her schedule. After school, Durst would attend basketball practice, film with her family until 10 p.m., and then do homework until midnight most days. While trying to fit in a few college courses she was taking from Northwestern, the family filmed for the show on most weekends too. “It's a full time job and a commitment,” Calli said. In the end, she'll be sure to remind you that despite meeting famous people and having a television show, the Durst family lives a normal life. “The show doesn't define who I am.”
Having only been apart from her sisters for a maximum of three days before attending college, Durst has established her own identity at Northwestern. “Like many people, I think that the first couple weeks of college feels like summer camp, so I didn't miss my sisters much,” said Calli, who mentioned that the quads hadn't typically outwardly expressed their love for one another. “The first week and a half went by and we were all trying to adjust to life at college, but then the first time we Skyped together, it was cool to honestly tell one another, 'I really miss you.'”
Going to college gave Durst an opportunity to discover herself away from her sisters. “I've been able to branch out and not be known as one of the Durst Quads or someone from TV,” noted the Buffalo, Minnesota native. “It's been an awesome opportunity to not be recognized. Everyone from Buffalo knows who we are together and individually, so it's cool to be here and not be compared to my sisters. Plus, I don't have anyone to argue with here!”
Durst is also gaining perspective on her education at Northwestern, where she is studying elementary education to pursue teaching kindergarten. “I knew I wanted to attend a Christian college, but I feel like I've grown so much in the past semester and a half than I have in my three previous years a believer,” mentioned the 19-year old. “It has been very good for me to have chapel every day and to have professors who pray before class begins and who are very approachable.” The same is true for her coaches and teammates on the basketball court, who will quote a line from Four of a Kind every now and again for fun. “We have a very solid group of girls and coaches who are Christ-centered, very easy to talk to and very trustworthy,” said Durst, whose outlook on basketball has changed since becoming an Eagle. “Coming to Northwestern has taught me that it doesn't matter if you win or lose, but rather, 'What are your intentions before you go out and play?'. Our team plays for an eternal scoreboard and we have the opportunity to publically display Christ. That's not something everyone gets to do. I try to take advantage of that.”
“Calli brings a high level of energy to our team and always has a positive attitude,” commented Kahl. “She's a deep thinker who is always looking for ways to help. The girls love being around her because she has a fun personality.”
Durst has come to experience that the college game is also a change of pace from high school. “The pace of the game is a lot quicker and it's a tougher, more physical game,” said Calli, who is one of seven freshmen on this year's team. “With being 5'2”, I feel like most of the girls on opposing teams are a foot taller than I am! I try to play like I'm six-two, 250 (pounds).”
When the Eagles went to California in late December for a holiday tournament, Calli's eyes were opened even more. “When we went to the homeless shelter at Union Rescue Mission (URM) on Skid Row, that was impactful,” said Durst. “I've seen stuff like that in New York and LA, but when we entered that part of town in December, I continued to remind myself, 'You need be really thankful for what you have and who you have in your life because it could change on a dime.'” As she served meals to homeless victims, it made her very thankful for what she has. “We complain about the weather and that our meals may not be awesome sometimes, but we still get to eat five times a day. People at URM have nothing and their thankful for every meal they receive.”
Considering the number of times that Durst and her sisters have been on airplanes, you may be surprised to learn that before even flying to California, Durst had to overcome one of her biggest fears. “I hate plane rides,” said Calli. “I'm afraid of heights.”
At various times throughout the season, Durst's voice can be heard in team devotions and off of the basketball court, but not in the high-pitched, quick-lipped way you would expect. She sings too, and rather well. Calli taught herself how to play the guitar in ninth grade and has toted it with her ever since. “I really find Christ speaking to me when I play and write music,” she says while dreaming of composing lyrics for Christian music artists some day. “Music means a lot to me,” Calli said. “We go well together.”
Whether its family matters, basketball, school or music, going together appears to be a theme in this girl's life.