Basketball fans will never forget the 2018 NCAA Tournament when the Ramblers of Loyola Chicago stole the country's heart. Loyola, an 11-seed who no one saw coming made it's way all the way to the NCAA Tournament Final Four.
For every game, on the sidelines, with maroon and golf scarf, rooting for her Ramblers every possession of every game was Sister Jean. Her joy, her faith and her love for the game turned her into an overnight icon of the game.
She was not just the team chaplain, she was the biggest fan of the players and coaches. Every game fans would see her on team, during the timeout, following the game, and every Cinderella moment that made March Madness what it's all about - Sister Jean was there. Even fans that did not know about Loyola knew Sister Jean. She represented everything good about college basketball. She has passed away at the age of 106 just before the start of the 2025-26 season.
A Life of Passion
Delores Bertha Schmidt lived life full of passion and pride. She was an athlete herself long before her time as the face of the most beloved underdog story in college hoops. Born in San Francisco in 1919, after her basketball playing days she joined the Sisters of Charity in 1937.
She came to Loyola in the early 1960s and was with the athletic program ever since. In the 1990s was was when stepped up her role as an adviser and team chaplain. Players and coaches would turn to her for wisdom and humor all those seasons. She prayed with the team before games, and send them scouting notes. The post game hugs were there for her players, win or lose.
Into her 100s
Reaching 100+ years did not slow Sister Jean down. She stayed involved. Writing to students and players about friendships, faith and finding joy in life. In 2023, she released a memoir titled Wake Up With Purpose! Impressive at any age, but moreso with her into her 100s, and showed how lively she remained.
She was not just part of the basketball team, she became part of the culture of March Madness. She reminded fans why we all love the tournament year in and year out. She reminded the fans why we were devasted to have the 2020 tournament stolen from us. She reminded us of the heart, the hope the humanity that went well beyond the game.
College basketball lost of of it's all time greats. As the season gets ready to tip off next month, there is no doubt her smile and her spirit will live forever not just during the month of March, but all season long. RIP Sister Jean.