Sister Jean Dead: Loyola Chicago College Basketball Chaplain Was 106 and Beloved for Over 30 Years

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the beloved team chaplain for the Loyola University Chicago men’s basketball team, died on Thursday, October 9, at age 106.

Sister Jean became a media sensation in 2018 when she supported the Loyola Ramblers as they made the Final Four of the NCAA March Madness tournament for the first time in decades. The nun was often seen on the sidelines during the tournament, cheering and praying for the team.

Loyola University Chicago president Mark C. Reed said in a statement on Thursday, “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 statement continued.

Born Dolores Bertha Schmidt, Sister Jean was a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which she joined in 1937. She taught at Mundelein College for over 30 years. When the college affiliated with Loyola in 1994, Sister Jean took on the role as chaplain to the college’s men’s basketball team, maintaining “a key role in supporting the team, offering both spiritual support and practical advice on the players’ game performance,” according to the university.

“Sister Jean Dolores was a woman of prayer, dedicated educator, and a bearer of hope who loved her BVM Community,” said BVM president LaDonna Manternach. “She saw God present in all that surrounded her and trusted in His goodness. Her presence with us will be greatly missed.”

Sister Jean marked her 106th birthday on August 21 with a message to the Loyola community, revealing that she was experiencing health issues.

“Yes, it is my 106th birthday. Birthdays are special days, and this one is also very special,” she wrote in a message shared by the university. “In fact, I am unable to be there because I have a bad summer cold and other health issues so it has been decided that I should not go to Lake Shore Campus to be with you on my birthday. That makes me very sad, but you can still celebrate. I want you to enjoy the treats and the new Sr. Jean pin.”

She went on to share an inspiring message to the student population, writing, “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.”

The following month, the school’s vice president of communications, Christian Andersen, confirmed to the university’s student newspaper, The Loyola Phoenix, that Sister Jean had retired.

“Sister Jean is retiring and stepping back from official duties at Loyola. We are mindful of Sister’s privacy in regards to health and can’t comment beyond what was mentioned in her [Aug. 21] message,” he wrote in an email published by the student newspaper on September 9.