by Tablet Staff
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM, the beloved chaplain of Loyola University Chicago’s men’s basketball team, has died at the age of 106, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and inspiration.
Known as the “Basketball Nun,” Sister Jean captured the hearts of the nation during Loyola’s remarkable 2018 NCAA Final Four run. Her retirement, announced earlier this month by The Loyola Phoenix due to health concerns, marked the end of a nearly nine-decade ministry that touched countless lives through education, spiritual guidance, and her infectious love for basketball.
Born in San Francisco, Sister Jean grew up playing basketball at St. Paul’s High School and joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1940. Her life’s work centered on educating and guiding young people, a mission she continued at Loyola University Chicago, where she served as team chaplain since 1994.
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Her ministry extended beyond the court, advocating for civil rights, gratitude, and living out one’s God-given purpose.
“All I ever wanted to do was to serve God,” she wrote in her memoir, “Wake Up With Purpose! What I’ve Learned in My First Hundred Years,” “And my way of doing that has been to work with young people to educate them, give them spiritual guidance, and help them live out their dreams.”
Sister Jean became a national icon in 2018 when, at nearly 99, she inspired Loyola’s Ramblers to a Cinderella Final Four appearance, their first since 1963. Her positivity, strategic scouting reports, and pre-game prayers — where she blessed players’ hands — earned her the role of honorary assistant coach.
“I believe God gives all of us talents, and it’s up to us to use them as best we can,” she said when asked about praying for victories. Her influence extended beyond sports, as she encouraged students to “let your dreams become reality” and to “be yourself” while trusting in God’s plan. “Don’t let anybody stop you,” she urged. “You are the future leaders of our churches, our schools, our country, and our world.”
On her 106th birthday on Aug. 21, Sister Jean shared a heartfelt message on Loyola’s website, apologizing for her absence due to health challenges but encouraging the community to “make new friends” and “enjoy your move-in and your preparations for class.” She expressed gratitude for her “wonderful” three decades at Loyola, emphasizing, “I will be with you in spirit and love and prayer.”
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Her words resonated globally, with thousands sending birthday greetings, including one admirer who credited her with inspiring a career in health and another named in her honor. Loyola University President Mark Reed praised her “ministry of presence,” which touched students, faculty, and alumni alike.
A banner in Gentile Arena bearing her motto, “Worship, Work, Win,” stands as a testament to her enduring spirit. Her memoir, bobbleheads, and “Sister Jean pins” further cement her legacy.
Reflecting on her life, Sister Jean remained humble about her fame, noting, “People say I’m influencing their lives and sometimes that really scares me.” Yet she embraced her role, driven by her love for young people: “They keep me alive, healthy, and vibrant.”
Even in her final years, she stayed engaged, filling out NCAA brackets and cheering for the Ramblers, once lamenting a loss with, “We just couldn’t see the basket. It wasn’t to be.”
Sister Jean’s life was a testament to faith in action, blending prayer, service, and a love for basketball. As she wrote, “The important things have remained the same.”