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Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, beloved priest of Loyola chicagomen’s basketball Team who gained international attention during the school’s remarkable 2018 NCAA Tournament runHas died at the age of 106.
The university confirmed his death on Thursday night.
Sister Jean, who served the university for more than six decades, resigned from her official role in August due to health concerns, though she continued to provide guidance as an advisor in her final months.
Loyola President Mark C. Reed paid tribute to his profound influence. “In her 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 said.
Reed said: “While we feel a sense of sadness and loss, there is great joy in his legacy.
“Her presence was a profound blessing to our entire community and her spirit resides in the lives of thousands. In her honor, we can aspire to share with others the love and compassion Sister Jean shared with us.”
Sister Jean – born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on August 21, 1919, then took the name Sister Jean Dolores in 1937 – became one of the most talked-about personalities during that 2018 NCAA Tournament.
He did countless interviews and was even celebrated with a bobblehead in his likeness.
Sister Jean said her religious identity came at the age of 8 when she met a kind, joyful teacher who belonged to the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
She pursued her vocation at the order’s motherhouse in Dubuque, Iowa, where she professed her vows.
She went on to teach in Catholic schools in Chicago and Southern California, before graduating from Mundelein College on Chicago’s lakeshore in the 1960s, where she also coached girls basketball.
The school became affiliated with Loyola in 1991, and Sister Jean was hired to help students in the transition.
In 1994, he was asked to help student basketball players raise their grades – he called himself a “booster shooter”, and later that year he was named chaplain of the men’s basketball team. She writes in her memoir that this role became “the most transformative and sublime situation” of her life.
,game are very important because they help develop life skills,” she said. “And during those life skills, you’re also talking about faith and purpose.” Her motto: “Worship, Work, Win.”
He said, “I know that God will call me when he wants. So, I think I still have a lot more work to do.”