Sister Jean, one of the faces of Loyola Chicago’s unexpected run to the Final Four, has died at the age of 106.
College basketball lost one of its most recognizable faces on Thursday, as Loyola Chicago University announced that Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM, passed away at the age of 106.
Sister Jean entered the college hoops lexicon during the Ramblers’ miracle run in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which made an unexpected appearance in the Final Four. Having entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary convent when she was 18, Sister Jean had been stationed in Chicago since 1961, first teaching at Mundelein College before its merger with Loyola three decades later. She originally joined the Ramblers’ men’s program as an academic advisor in 1994 and was named team chaplain later that year.
“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 from the University. “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.”
To basketball fans, Sister Jean was best known for her rise to fame during the aforementioned 2018 tournament: seeded 11th in the South Region, the Ramblers upset Miami, Tennessee, and Nevada by a combined four points before punching their Final Four ticket with a 78-62 triumph over Kansas State before they eventually fell to national finalist Michigan.
Sister Jean Became the Face Of Loyola
There, for every step of the way, was Sister Jean, who more or less became the face of the program. She made the return trip in 2021, during which the Ramblers reached the Sweet 16 round with an upset of No. 1 seed Illinois. In the wake of her popularity surge, bobbleheads of her likeness, previously given at Rambler games, significantly rose in value, and her motto of “Worship, Work, Win” became a rallying cry for those hopping onto the Loyola bandwagon.
Sister Jean is officially retiring from Loyola Chicago at 106 years old 🙏
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) September 24, 2025
She had served as the men’s basketball team chaplain since 1994 👏 pic.twitter.com/nVhEP3rHA2
Following that epic tournament run, the State of Illinois declared Aug. 21, 2019—her 100th birthday—”Sister Jean Day,” during which she received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis. The plaza outside the Chicago Transit Authority station on the Loyola campus was named in her honor three years ago, and President Joe Biden offered a proclamation in her honor.
Health issues had forced Sister Jean to step down from her duties, including those with the basketball program, last month, but it’s clear that her legacy will not be forgotten. The Ramblers will no doubt play with heavy hearts this season, which tips off on Nov. 3 against Cleveland State.
“Sister Jean Dolores was a woman of prayer, a dedicated educator, and a bearer of hope who loved her BVM Community,” BVM president LaDonna Manternach said in Loyola’s statement. “She saw God present in all that surrounded her and trusted in His goodness. Her presence with us will be greatly missed.”
Sister Jean is survived by her sister-in-law, Margaret.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
