Loyola University Chicago’s Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt has died at the age of 106.
The sad news was confirmed by the university late on Thursday night, in a statement which read: ‘This is a tremendous loss of someone who touched the lives of so many people. We appreciate everyone’s thoughts & prayers during this difficult time.’
Sister Jean become a college basketball legend in recent years and rose to prominence when the Loyola University Men’s Basketball team made an unlikely run to the Final Four of March Madness in 2018.
She became a social media sensation with her pregame prayers, support for the team and deep knowledge of their opponents, regularly sitting courtside at games even into her 100s.
Tributes quickly poured in for the iconic nun on social media as news of her passing was revealed, barely two weeks after she had retired from her role as Loyola Chicago’s minister and men’s basketball chaplain.
A cause of death has not yet been announced, but Jean turned 106 on August 21 with a letter stating she could not celebrate publicly due to a ‘bad summer cold and other health issues.’
College basketball icon Sister Jean has died at the age of 106, just a fortnight after retiring
Sister Jean throws out the first pitch from her wheelchair at a Chicago Cubs game in 2022
Sister Jean was also not able to attend the Ramblers’ latest game in April due to health issues.
Speaking soon after her death, Loyola President Mark C. Reed said: ‘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.’
Sister Jean first began teaching at Chicago’s Mundelein College in 1961 and stayed with the institution when it merged with Loyola in 1991.
In 1994, she became chaplain of the men’s basketball team, quickly becoming notorious for offering scouting reports on opponents.
For her 100th birthday, Sister Jean received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis, and on her 103rd birthday the Loyola CTA Red Line plaza was renamed in her honor.
When she turned 105, she received a proclamation from then-President Joe Biden.
Per the University, she is survived by her sister-in-law Jeanne Tidwell and her niece Jan Schmidt.
