Sister Jean, longtime Loyola-Chicago basketball team chaplain, dies at 106
The face behind one of the biggest Cinderella teams in NCAA men's basketball tournament history is no longer with us.
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, longtime team chaplain for Loyola-Chicago, died on Oct. 9, the university announced. She was 106 years old.
The Catholic nun was thrust into the national spotlight as the Ramblers staged an improbable run to the Final Four in 2018, becoming at the time just the fourth No. 11 seed to make it to college basketball’s grandest stage. Sister Jean had an infectious love for basketball, and prayed for the team before every game — which became a made-for-TV moment before every upset victory. She also sent personalized emails to players, complimenting them after a good game, and encouraging them after a bad game.
“She’s meant a lot to this program, to the city of Chicago,” former player Donte Ingram said at the Final Four in 2018. “Her aura is so bright. … She’s like no other.”
After Loyola-Chicago’s buzzer-beating win over Miami in the first round, Sister Jean became an overnight celebrity — with photos and videos of her hugging players after the win going viral.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/mvc/2025/10/10/sister-jean-dies-106/513109002/?tbref=hp
She was famous to Tennessee before 2018, as the Vols got stuck playing Loyola at least twice before then. We always said they had a secret weapon! Now Loyola might have an even more powerful one as she lobbies from "up there"! What a life she had.
= new reply since forum marked as read
