She rose to fame in 2018 as the Ramblers made a run to the Final Four.
Sister Jean, former Loyola Chicago official chaplain and superfan, dies at 106 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the Loyola Chicago official chaplain who became famous for her love of the school's men's basketball team, passed away at 106 years old on Thursday, the school announced.
Loyola University Chicago is greatly saddened to confirm the death of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM. This is a tremendous loss of someone who touched the lives of so many people. We appreciate everyone’s thoughts & prayers during this difficult time. Details to follow. pic.twitter.com/zPiMY1MsIu
— Loyola University Chicago (@LoyolaChicago) October 10, 2025
"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 was a part of Loyola University Chicago for most of her life, but she reached stardom in 2018 when the basketball team made the Final Four. As the official chaplain of the team at the time, Sister Jean became the face of team during that special season.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Sister Jean dies at 106
Sister Jean was born on August 21, 1919 in San Francisco, and dedicated her life to being a catholic nun and teacher at several catholic schools. In 1961, she started teaching at Mundelein College, an all-girls school in Chicago, and she remained there for 30 years before the school began affiliating with Loyola University Chicago in 1991.
In 1994, Sister Jean took an academic advisor role with the basketball team that would eventually lead her to becoming the team's official chaplain. She remained in that role until she retired just last month.
At the age of 98 in 2018, Sister Jean became famous as the Ramblers' superfan through the basketball team's run to the Final Four.
Sister Jean was elected to the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 and given the Loyola Sword in 2018. The sports world came together to mourn Sister Jean's loss.
She was 106 years old and never had a bad day. The world has lost a true gem. And I have lost an amazing friend. So long Sister Jean. I will always treasure our friendship. https://t.co/tbZ4mddBkM
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) October 10, 2025
RIP. Prayers with Sister Jean’s family and everyone affiliated with Loyola. https://t.co/O0mC5937rZ
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 10, 2025
Nobody loved @RamblersMBB quite like Sister Jean ❤️pic.twitter.com/IaiBqNP8zz
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) October 10, 2025
RIP Sister Jean.
— T3™️ (@T3Bracketology) October 10, 2025
You took the world by storm during some unforgettable @RamblersMBB NCAAT runs, and impacted many more beyond the game of basketball.
She always had a big smile on her face💛
Thinking of the Loyola Chicago family this evening. pic.twitter.com/wJfTTfrasM
Category: General Sports
