When you think of Loyola University Chicago’s men’s basketball team, it’s not a star player or a legendary coach that first comes to mind. It’s Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt. Her faith, wisdom, and boundless energy turned her into a national sensation. Long before hashtags and highlight reels defined college hoops, Sister Jean embodied the heart of March Madness. Dressed in her maroon and gold scarf, sitting courtside with her radiant smile and trademark prayer before every game, she became the soul of the Ramblers’ 2018 Cinderella run

Sister Jean was the Ramblers’ number 1 fan and became an international sensation as Loyola Chicago made its unforgettable run. Bobbleheads and athletic apparel bearing her likeness sold out almost immediately, and she was featured in countless national TV interviews. At times, there were even news conferences held just for her ahead of games. During the heartbreaking loss to Michigan at the Alamodome in San Antonio, fans wore T-shirts that read, “Win One for the Nun!” while a sign in the crowd urged the Wolverines to submit to “Jean’s Plan.”

But now, the superfan is no more. The beloved, longtime chaplain of the Loyola Chicago men’s basketball team passed away Thursday at the age of 106, leaving behind a legacy that transcended basketball. “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.

For those who may not know her, this article will shed light on who Sister Jean is and the remarkable legacy she leaves behind.

Who Was Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt?

Sister Jean, born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on August 21, 1919, in San Francisco, first felt called to become a nun back in third grade, according to DNA Info. She went on to attend St. Paul’s High School, where she played basketball and graduated in 1937, before entering the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary convent in Iowa.

Sister Jean began her career as a teacher in California before moving to Chicago in 1961 to teach at Mundelein College, a private Roman Catholic institution. When Mundelein merged with Loyola in 1991, she joined the university and, in 1996, took on the role that would define her legacy: chaplain for the men’s basketball team. And the rest… they say is history.

Sister Jean’s Role as Loyola-Chicago’s Chaplain

In 1994, Sister Jean was asked to help student basketball players boost their grades—playfully calling herself “the booster shooter.” Later in 1996, she was named chaplain of the men’s team, a role she described in her memoir as “the most transformational and transcendent position” of her life.

While her primary role was to provide pre-game prayers, post-game reflections, and personal guidance, she helped players find purpose and resilience. Sister Jean was just as fierce in the stands, cheering passionately as one of the team’s most devoted fans.

“She doesn’t hide her disdain for the officials. She might pray for a little extra guidance for them and hope they have a little extra knowledge,” former Loyola head coach Porter Moser said of Sister Jean back in 2012.

Sister Jean and the March Madness Fame

Though she had been Loyola’s basketball chaplain for decades, Sister Jean’s defining moment came in 2018, when the Ramblers stormed their way to the Final Four. Overnight, she became a national sensation, as fans marveled at her bond with the team. At 98, she was there every step of the way–praying for the Ramblers, even for their opponents, and urging her team to play hard, play together, and play smart.

Loyola Chicago, led by Clayton Custer, Cameron Krutwig, and Donte Ingram, became just the fourth No. 11 seed ever to reach the Final Four. Through every moment of that magical run, Sister Jean was there, cheering on her team. From players hugging her after wins to viral clips of her priceless reactions, she became the heart and good-luck charm of the Ramblers’ Cinderella story. “She’s an incredible person,” Custer said at the time.

Even with the pandemic limiting crowd sizes for the 2021 tournament, Sister Jean was there. Vaccinated and cleared to travel, she made the trip to Indianapolis to support Loyola Chicago. Before the Ramblers’ second-round game against top-seeded Illinois, she offered both a prayer and a scouting tip: “We have a great opportunity to convert rebounds, as this team makes about 50% of layups and 30% of its 3 [pointers]. Our defense can take care of that.”Her advice proved priceless as Loyola pulled off the upset and advanced to the Sweet 16. This just showed how invested she was in the game.

Her fame wasn’t restricted to just March Madness.

• When Sister Jean turned 100, Loyola Chicago honored her legacy by announcing a scholarship fund and endowment to support students
• On August 21, 2019, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker officially declared it “Sister Jean Day” across the state.
• When she turned 103, the train station plaza at Loyola’s Chicago campus was renamed in her honor, featuring a large sign that greeted visitors with: “Home of the World Famous Sister Jean!”
• When she turned 105, Sister Jean received a proclamation from President Joe Biden, who had previously sent her flowers on at least one occasion. “As you have walked your faith throughout the years, your servant leadership and steadfast prayers have shaped the lives of thousands of young people and their families and inspired countless others throughout the world,” the letter from Biden read, according to Loyla Today “And by living out the values of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary — in corridors, in classrooms, and on the courtside of your beloved Ramblers games — you have shown us all that yours is a life well lived.”

What religion is Sister Jean?

As her name suggests, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt was a Roman Catholic nun and a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM), a Catholic religious order. She grew up in a devoutly Catholic family, and her religious calling came at the age of 8, according to her 2023 memoir.

It all began when she met a kind, joyful teacher who belonged to the BVMs. Brimming with admiration, young Dolores would pray every day: “Dear God, help me understand what I should do, but please tell me I should become a BVM sister.”

What are some of Sister Jean’s famous quotes?

Here are some of the most Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt’s quotes.

1. “We have a little slogan where we say: ‘Worship, work, and win.’ And so you need to do all of those things. God always hears, but maybe he thinks it’s better for us to do the L instead of the W and we have to accept that,” on anyone who wants to get their prayer heard.
2. “He probably is. And he probably is more of the NCAA than the NBA,” on whether or not God is a basketball fan.
3. “Let your dreams become reality. Don’t let anybody stop you. You are the future leaders of our churches, our schools, our country, and our world. I wish you success during the 2025/2026 academic year.” She told to her students on her 106th birthday.