Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the beloved chaplain and superfan of the Loyola-Chicago men’s basketball team, has died. Loyola University Chicago shared in a statement that Sister Jean passed away on Thursday.
Mark C. Reed, the university’s president, stated, “In numerous capacities at Loyola spanning over 60 years, Sister Jean provided invaluable wisdom and grace to countless students, faculty, and staff.”
He added: “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.”
““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.”
The university also mentioned that details regarding visitation and funeral plans will be provided soon.
Sister Jean gained widespread recognition during Loyola-Chicago’s surprising journey to the Final Four in 2018, capturing national attention throughout the tournament. The Ramblers’ fairy tale run ended with a defeat to Michigan.
Only a month ago, Sister Jean retired from her long-time position as the school’s minister and chaplain for the men’s basketball team. Earlier this year, health challenges prevented her from attending the Ramblers’ NIT game against Chattanooga.
She commenced her teaching career at Mundelein College in 1961 and became part of Loyola-Chicago following the merger of the two institutions in 1991. A few years later, she began her involvement with the men’s basketball team. At the age of 106, she can now cheer for her team from above.
