Remembering Sister Jean: Loyola’s Chaplain Who Became A National Treasure
(ESSAY) In a world where sports and spirituality don’t often intersect, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt stood as a remarkable exception — a figure whose unwavering faith, love of basketball and dedication to young people made her both a campus icon and a national treasure.
Best known as the chaplain and No. 1 fan of Loyola University Chicago’s men’s basketball team, Sister Jean captured the hearts of millions during the team's improbable NCAA tournament runs. But her story, which ended with her death on Thursday at age 106, extended far beyond the buzzer-beating thrill of March Madness.
“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,” said Loyola President Mark C. Reed. “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.”
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Born on Aug. 21, 1919, in San Francisco, Sister Jean was the oldest of three daughters in a practicing Catholic family. Her early years were marked by a deep sense of religious calling, one that first took root while she was in third grade. This early conviction led her to join the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dubuque, Iowa. From the very start, her mission was never confined to the walls of a convent. It extended into classrooms, dorm rooms, gyms and eventually large arenas and national television.
After completing her education and earning a master’s degree from what is now Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, Sister Jean began her career in education, teaching in Catholic schools in California.
In 1961, she joined the faculty at Mundelein College in Chicago, a women’s college founded by her religious order. When Mundelein was incorporated into Loyola University Chicago in 1991, Sister Jean continued her service as an academic adviser, impacting generations of students with her steady guidance and compassionate spirit.
It’s Sister Jean’s second act most of us know about — and one that brought her national attention — that began in 1994. Just as she was planning to retire, Loyola’s then-president, Father John Piderit, asked her to remain on campus to support student-athletes academically. She agreed, and soon after named chaplain of the men’s basketball team.
What followed was a unique pairing between a nun and a Division I sports program built not only on faith and mentorship, but passion for basketball itself. As chaplain, Sister Jean led pre-game prayers, often asking God to bless the players’ hands for shooting and rebounding. Her role, however, went beyond.
She regularly met with players to help them with their homework and coached them in time management. She also studied opponent statistics and shared insights with coaches, becoming an informal scout in the process. In return, the players and staff loved her and looked to her for both encouragement and wisdom.
In 2018, Sister Jean rose to national prominence when Loyola Chicago made a Cinderella run to the NCAA Final Four at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. At 98 years old, she was suddenly thrust into the spotlight — giving interviews, receiving fan mail from around the world and becoming a symbol of happiness during March Madness.
“I got letters from Germany and France, different kinds of people, saying, ‘You brought great joy to our country,’” she told ESPN in 2021.
In return, her face was immortalized on socks, T-shirts and bobblehead dolls. But Sister Jean was not a mascot or good luck charm. She was a mentor, counselor and friend. Her trademark smile always made things better.
Derek Molis, a former Loyola player, credited Sister Jean with helping him cope with his mother’s death.
“Most of the world knows her from the fame perspective,” he told The New York Times. “The rest of us simply know her as Sister Jean, the one person we knew we could always count on.”
Clemente Lisi is executive editor at Religion Unplugged.