Loyola Chicago legendary men’s basketball team chaplain Sister Jean has died, the university announced late Thursday night. She was 106 years old.
Jean Dolores Schmidt, better known as Sister Jean, gained national notoriety in 2018 as she was with the Ramblers every step of the way as they reached the Final Four.
Sister Jean, who was 98 years old at the time, became a huge star as the Loyola Chicago men’s basketball team’s love for her was apparent, as was her love for the Ramblers program.
“In many roles at Loyola over the course of more than 60 years, Sister Jean was an invaluable source of wisdom and grace for generations of students, faculty, and staff,” Loyola President Mark C. Reed said in a statement. “While we feel grief and a sense of loss, there is great joy in her legacy.
“Her presence was a profound blessing for our entire community and her spirit abides in thousands of lives. In her honor, we can aspire to share with others the love and compassion Sister Jean shared with us.”
Sister Jean, who was born in August of 1919, joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1937.
In 1994, she began working as an academic advisor with the men’s basketball team at Loyola Chicago, before later transitioning and becoming the team chaplain.
Sister Jean was inducted into the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.
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