Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the beloved chaplain who became a national sensation for her unwavering support of Loyola University Chicago’s men’s basketball team, has died aged 106.
Sister Jean was there when the Ramblers won their first-ever national championship in 1963. But she reached peak fame when she was spotted on the sidelines again decades later, rousing the team amid another championship run at the ripe old age of 98.
Her court presence turned her into a global celebrity, including a social media mention from former President Barack Obama.
Loyola’s president called her “an invaluable source of wisdom and grace for generations” of students and staff, in a statement after her death.
“While we feel grief and a sense of loss, there is great joy in her legacy,” said Loyola University President Mark C Reed. “Her presence was a profound blessing for our entire community and her spirit abides in thousands of lives.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker wrote on X: “Sister Jean was a role model in Illinois — inspiring us to embrace our neighbors.”
After Loyola’s NCAA March Madness tournament run in 2018, where Sister Jean was seen dolling out everything from spiritual guidance, to coaching and analysis, to the team – all from her wheelchair – the nun went viral.
Socks, t-shirts, bobbleheads and collectible toys bearing her image were sold online.
When a CNN correspondent told her she was a celebrity, she replied: “I know. That’s what they tell me.”
Sister Jean also accompanied the team to the men’s NCAA tournament in 2021 amid the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, vaccinated and wearing a mask.
Born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on 21 August, 1919, she became a nun 18 years later, taking the name Sister Jean Dolores.
Over the years, she taught at several Catholic schools in California and Illinois before becoming an academic adviser with Loyola’s men’s basketball team in 1994, later becoming the chaplain.
In addition to her work with Loyola’s basketball team, Sister Jean also held weekly prayer groups for students and started a programme that paired Loyola students with residents of a local assisted living community, according to Loyola Today.
She was inducted into the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.
Her recognition beyond campus included an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis for her 100th birthday and an award from former President Joe Biden recognizing her service when she turned 105.
By BBC News
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