Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, chaplain for the Loyola University Chicago’s men’s basketball team, died on October 9 at the age of 106, the school announced.
The beloved chaplain served the Loyola Chicago community for years in various roles and had become a fan-favorite part of the team.
She reached beloved status to an even broader audience of viewers of the 2018 NCAA “March Madness” tournament when she accompanied the team during the tournament and they reached the Final Four for the first time since 1963.
“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. “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.”
She had been a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) since 1937.
“Sister Jean Dolores was a woman of prayer, dedicated educator, and a bearer of 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.”
When ESPN took to Instagram to share the news of Schmidt’s passing, fans flooded the comments to honor her memory.
“RIP to an absolute legend. That 2018 March Madness run will forever be legendary,” one fan commented on the post.
Her funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, but Loyola has stated they will share the information on their website when it becomes available.
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