Source: CBS Sports
Local NewsSister Jean, beloved chaplain of Loyola Ramblers basketball team, dies at 106ByAdam HarringtonAdam HarringtonWeb Producer, CBS ChicagoAdam Harrington is a web producer at CBS Chicago, where he first arrived in January 2006.Read Full BioAdam HarringtonUpdated on: October 10, 2025 / 6:35 AM EDT/ CBS ChicagoSister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM — who became world-famous as the chaplain and biggest fan of the Loyola University Ramblers men’s basketball team — has died.Sister Jean died Thursday, Oct. 9, the university confirmed. She was 106.”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,” Loyola President Mark C. Reed said in a statement. “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.”The university said it will announce funeral arrangements soon.”Sister Jean Dolores was a woman of prayer, dedicated educator, and a bearerof hope who loved her BVM Community,” BVM President LaDonna Manternach said. “She saw God present in all that surrounded her and trusted in His goodness. Her presence with us will be greatly missed.”Sister Jean was born Aug. 21, 1919, in San Francisco. She played basketball at St. Paul High School, according toAngelus News.But long before that, as a third grader, she was inspired by her teacher, a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or BVMs, and had a calling to join the order herself.Sister Jean headed to Dubuque, Iowa to join the BVM order after graduating from high school. She received her habit at the BVM motherhouse on March 19, 1938.In the 1940s, Sister Jean began her ministry in elementary education in the Los Angeles area.As a teacher at St. Charles Elementary School in North Hollywood, Sister Jean started a sports program — and coached women’s basketball, softball, volleyball, track, ping-pong, and yo-yo,Loyola University said.While teaching on weekdays, Sister Jean pursued a college education — taking classes on Saturdays and during the summer. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English atMount Saint Mary’s College, now University, and a master’s degree at Loyola University of Los Angeles, now Loyola Marymount.After completing her master’s degree, Sister Jean moved to Chicago and began teaching college courses at Mundelein College in 1961. She was named acting dean of Mundelein College in 1970, having already served as associate dean and director of summer sessions, Loyola said.Sister Jean served continued teaching and serving in several other administrative positions at the all-women’s Mundelein College, until the school merged with Loyola University Chicago in 1991. At that point, Sister Jean became an assistant dean and academic advisor at L…
Published: 2025-10-10T10:35:09
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