When Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, chaplain to the Loyola men’s basketball team, passed away on October 9, 2025, the shock rippled through Chicago and the wider college‑sports world.
She died at a Chicago nursing home at age 106, just a month after retiring due to declining health. The loss was confirmed by Loyola University Chicago in an official statement released the same day.
Her death marks the end of a six‑decade tenure that spanned teaching, counseling, and, most famously, guiding the Loyola Ramblers to an unlikely Final Four run during the 2018 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournamentChicago, Illinois. At 98, Sister Jean became a cultural phenomenon, her prayers and quirky tactical notes echoing across ESPN, Twitter, and late‑night talk shows.
From Classroom to Court: A Lifelong Commitment
Born in 1919 in a small Indiana town, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) after high school. She spent the first three decades teaching in Indiana and Missouri before answering a call to Chicago in 1991, joining the faculty of Loyola University Chicago. Three years later she was assigned as an academic adviser to the men’s basketball program, a role that would evolve into full‑time chaplaincy by 1994.
Her early years at Loyola were quiet but impactful: she taught freshman English, mentored first‑generation students, and ran a campus ministry that emphasized service. Those who knew her then describe a woman of iron discipline paired with an infectious laugh.
The 2018 Cinderella Story
The Ramblers entered the 2018 tournament as an 11‑seed, a rank that usually means an early exit. Yet Sister Jean’s presence seemed to tip the odds. She arrived in the locker room before each game, bowed her head for a brief prayer, then offered observations that blended faith with basketball analytics.
“We have a great opportunity to convert rebounds as this team makes about 50% of layups and 30% of its 3‑point shots,” she told the players after a key second‑round win.
Her remarks, captured by local reporters, went viral. Fans wore t‑shirts emblazoned with her motto “Worship, Work, Win,” and a limited‑edition bobblehead sold out within days. The media frenzy turned a modest campus figure into a national personality, and the Ramblers rode the wave all the way to the Final Four, where they fell to the University of Michigan.
Voices from the Campus: Tributes and Memories
Porter Moser, the head coach who guided the 2018 squad, said in a heartfelt Instagram post, “She still sends me an email after every single game. There is no human like her.” Moser recalled how Sister Jean would arrive at practice with a latte, a rosary, and a notebook full of tactical notes that seemed to read the opponent’s playbook.
University president Mark C. Reed issued a formal statement, noting, “In more than 60 years of service, Sister Jean was an invaluable source of wisdom and grace for generations of students, faculty, and staff.” Reed added that her spirit would continue to guide the Loyola community for “thousands of lives.”
The campus candle‑light vigil held outside the university’s iconic clock tower drew over 1,000 attendees, many clutching copies of the 2018 game‑day program that featured a handwritten prayer by Sister Jean.
Impact Beyond the Hardwood
Sister Jean’s influence stretched far beyond basketball. She wrote weekly columns for the student newspaper, offering reflections on ethics, social justice, and the importance of community service. Alumni surveys from 2022 show that 68% of respondents credited her mentorship with influencing their career choices, especially in education and non‑profit work.
Her strategic insights also inspired a new tradition: each season the team now holds a “Sister Jean Strategy Session,” where coaches and players review past games through the lens of her “prayer‑plus‑play” approach. The Ramblers’ 2023–24 season opener featured a tribute banner reading, “In honor of Sister Jean, we play with heart and head.”
Looking Ahead: Preserving the Legacy
In response to her passing, the university announced the creation of the Sister Jean Scholarship Fund, earmarked for students pursuing degrees in theology, education, or sports management. The inaugural cohort of five scholars will receive full tuition plus a mentorship pairing with former Ramblers athletes.
Additionally, a permanent exhibit is being installed in the university’s Pulliam Hall, showcasing artifacts from her six‑decade career: a rosary, a notebook with her game‑day strategies, and the original “Worship, Work, Win” banner.
While the physical presence of the 106‑year‑old nun is gone, her voice continues to echo through these initiatives, reminding the Loyola community that faith, perseverance, and a dash of basketball savvy can coexist.
Key Facts
- Death: October 9, 2025, Chicago, Illinois
- Age: 106
- Roles: Teacher, campus minister, chaplain for Loyola men’s basketball (1994‑2025)
- Iconic moment: 2018 NCAA Final Four run at age 98
- Legacy projects: Sister Jean Scholarship Fund, Pulliam Hall exhibit
Frequently Asked Questions
How will Loyola honor Sister Jean’s memory?
Loyola is launching the Sister Jean Scholarship Fund for students in theology, education, or sports management, and a permanent exhibit in Pullam Hall will display her rosary, game‑day notes, and the famous “Worship, Work, Win” banner.
What made Sister Jean’s 2018 tournament appearances so memorable?
At 98, she prayed for both teams before each game, offered surprisingly detailed tactical insights—like noting opponents’ 50% layup conversion—and became a viral sensation, turning a modest 11‑seed run into a national story.
Who were the key figures who spoke about Sister Jean after her death?
Former coach Porter Moser shared personal anecdotes, while President Mark C. Reed issued a formal statement highlighting her six‑decade impact on the university.
What was Sister Jean’s role before becoming the basketball chaplain?
She joined Loyola in 1991 as an English professor and campus minister, later serving as an academic adviser to the men’s basketball team before assuming the full‑time chaplaincy in 1994.
Did Sister Jean receive any formal honors during her lifetime?
In addition to the university’s honorary doctorate awarded in 2020, she was inducted into the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame in 2022 for her unique contribution to the city’s athletic culture.
