Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the cherished chaplain of Loyola University Chicago’s men’s basketball team whose faith and spirit captivated a nation, has died at age 106. The university announced her passing Thursday, October 9, 2025, marking the end of an era for the school and the broader college basketball community. Even as the news brings sorrow to those who knew her, Sister Jean’s enduring legacy continues to inspire thousands.
Born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on August 21, 1919, in San Francisco, Sister Jean’s life spanned some of the most pivotal events of the 20th and 21st centuries. She witnessed the Great Depression, the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge—crossing it on foot when it opened in 1937—and the seismic changes brought by World War II. Her early years were shaped by a devoutly Catholic upbringing, and by the age of eight, she felt a calling to religious life. In her memoir, she recalled praying, “Dear God, help me understand what I should do, but please tell me I should become a BVM sister.” As fate would have it, she did just that, joining the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1937 and taking the name Sister Jean Dolores. (According to AP and BBC.)
Her vocation led her to teach at Catholic schools in California and Illinois, where she also coached girls’ basketball—a hint of what was to come. In 1961, she joined Mundelein College, a now-defunct sister school of Loyola, and remained when the school merged with Loyola University in 1991. By 1994, she was named academic adviser and, soon after, chaplain for the men’s basketball team, a role that would define her public persona for the next three decades. (Reported by Block Club Chicago and BBC.)
Sister Jean’s impact at Loyola extended well beyond the basketball court. She lived in student dorms on and off from 1978, forging close connections with generations of students. She led weekly prayer groups, organized programs pairing students with residents at a local assisted living community, and became a fixture in the student center, always ready with advice or a listening ear. In the words of Loyola President Mark C. Reed, “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.” He added, “Her presence was a profound blessing for our entire community and her spirit abides in thousands of lives.” (As cited by AP and TNND.)
Yet, it was the 2018 NCAA Tournament that catapulted Sister Jean to international stardom. At 98 years old, she became the face of Loyola Chicago’s Cinderella run to the Final Four, her courtside prayers and infectious optimism drawing national media attention. Her likeness appeared on socks, t-shirts, bobbleheads, and even a Lego statue. She was celebrated in interviews, and her press conference during the tournament drew more journalists than some Super Bowl stars. “I know. That’s what they tell me,” she quipped when a CNN correspondent called her a celebrity. (According to BBC and AP.)
Players and coaches credited her as an integral part of the team’s success. Donte Ingram, who hit one of the most memorable shots of the tournament for Loyola, said, “She is there before every game. She’s saying a prayer before every game. After the game, she sends a general email to the team. And then at the end of the email, it’ll be individualized: ‘Hey, Donte, you did this, you rebounded well tonight. Even though they were out there to get you, you still came through for the team.’ She’s just so special, her spirit. She’s just so bright, and she means so much to the city of Chicago and Loyola obviously and the team.” (As reported by AP.)
When the Ramblers’ magical season ended with a 69-57 loss to Michigan in the national semifinals, Sister Jean was the first to offer comfort. Forward Aundre Jackson remembered, “Sister Jean just said it was a great season. She was so happy to be on this run with us and we should keep our heads high and be happy with what we accomplished.” Her role wasn’t just ceremonial—players insisted her prayers and advice made a real difference. Guard Clayton Custer noted, “Prayers definitely mean a little bit extra when she prays for us.” (According to AP.)
Her fame extended well beyond the Loyola campus. Former President Barack Obama called her a “remarkable woman,” writing, “March Madness won’t be the same without Sister Jean. Thinking about the Loyola University Chicago community and everyone who loved this remarkable woman.” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker described her as “a role model in Illinois — inspiring us to embrace our neighbors.” He added, “As a lover of life, she taught us to channel positivity to keep us hopeful in times of need and kept that attitude all the way to a life well-lived at 106 years old. May her memory be a blessing.” (As cited by TNND and BBC.)
Throughout her long life, Sister Jean received numerous honors. She was inducted into the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. At 100, she received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis. For her 103rd birthday, Governor Pritzker dedicated the day in her honor, and on her 105th, President Joe Biden sent a proclamation that read, in part, “You have shown us all that yours is a life well lived.” (According to AP, BBC, and TNND.)
In 2023, Sister Jean published her memoir, Wake Up with Purpose! What I’ve Learned in My First 100 Years, sharing life lessons and spiritual guidance. “I love life so much and enjoy being with young people,” she told The Associated Press that year. “They’re the ones who keep me going because they bring such joy into my life—and they keep you updated on what’s happening in their world.”
Sister Jean stepped down from her official duties in August 2025 due to health issues but remained an adviser to the university until her passing. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Jeanne Tidwell, and her niece, Jan Schmidt. Her legacy of faith, kindness, and resilience endures in the hearts of all who knew her—and in the story of Loyola Chicago’s improbable basketball triumphs. As the city of Chicago and the world reflect on her life, one thing is certain: the spirit of Sister Jean will continue to inspire for generations to come.
