The Review’s Moose Terry sat down with first-year men’s soccer player Chris Campbell on Halloween. The Northern California native talked about his first full college soccer season, team camaraderie, his passion for jazz and his knack for buying clothes at the weirdest times.

Moose Terry: How was your first year as an Oberlin College men’s soccer player?
Chris Campbell: It was really good. It was cool to come two weeks early and really bond with the team. I had a great chance to start the school year off with strong friends and resources. The upperclassmen were great in helping usher me into the school year.

MT:  What did the upperclassmen do for you exactly?
CC: I didn’t really know what to expect of the Oberlin social structure. I was afraid there might be a hazing culture where freshmen were picked on. But it turned out there wasn’t, and the upperclassmen treated me like any other player.

MT: How did you mesh with the other first-years on the team?
CC: There were a lot of us. I believe there was a total of ten first-years on the team. I got lucky because one teammate I had known in high school. Wyatt Hayman, the starting center back, played with me on the same club team and went to a rival high school in Northern California, where we both lived. He is actually my roommate, and it’s been a really great experience. Overall, the first-years are a really tight group of people. 

MT: How does the future look with such a good group of first-years?
CC: We’ve really got the drive, potential and skill to help carry the team through the next three years. We have confidence that each individual will work hard for the team’s success. 

MT:  How do you assess this season?
CC:  It’s unfortunate we didn’t finish better in conference. I don’t know what happened — we started off the season really well. Injuries may have been mentally debilitating, but we were so deep it shouldn’t have been an excuse. It’s hard to say whether or not injuries had an effect on the season.

MT: What made you want to play for Oberlin?
CC:  The thing that really clinched it was when I got to come for prospective student athlete weekend. I hung out with the guys on the team and noticed how they all really bonded so well. I also wanted to go into the Conservatory to pursue my musical dream.  Oberlin was the place to pursue my soccer and musical interests.

MT:  What is your musical interest that drew you to the Conservatory?
CC: I play the jazz saxophone. I wanted to be in the Jazz Program in the Conservatory but it was really competitive and I didn’t get in. But I brought my sax to school, I am taking lessons, and I am thinking about reapplying to the Conservatory. 

MT: Both the soccer program and the Con require time and dedication. Do you think you can handle the challenges of both?
CC: I know they are both difficult. It’s a great jazz program just as it is a great soccer program. I came to Oberlin because this is where I can pursue both of my interests at the highest level.

MT: I hear that sometimes you purchase shoes on team road trips?
CC: Well, we were on our way home from a game at Hiram, and we stopped at a food court to eat dinner. My teammate and I finished early and walked around the mall. I saw a pair of white moccasin-esque slip-ons at DC’s. They were cheap, and I figured it would be a good investment at the time. As soon as I came out of the mall with the bag everyone on the team laughed.