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Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, also known as Sister Jean, is a Catholic nun and chaplain for the Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team at Loyola University Chicago. She was born on August 21, 1919, in San Francisco, California, and raised in the Eureka Valley neighborhood. She first considered becoming a nun while she was in third grade and has since dedicated her life to God and her community. Sister Jean's fame grew when she appeared at the 2018 NCAA Final Four to support the Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team, and she has since become a beloved folk hero and an iconic figure at Loyola University Chicago.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jean Dolores Schmidt |
| Born | 21 August 1919 |
| Age | 103 years |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Occupation | Teacher, administrator, dean, academic advisor, chaplain |
| University | Loyola University Chicago |
| Team | Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team |
| Nickname | Basketball Nun |
| Book | Wake Up with Purpose: What I’ve Learned in My First Hundred Years |
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What You'll Learn
Sister Jean's early life
Born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on August 21, 1919, in San Francisco, California, Sister Jean was raised in the Eureka Valley neighborhood. She was the oldest of three children in a devout Catholic family. Faith was ever-present in her world, and others in her family had already dedicated their lives to religion.
As a third grader at a Catholic school, Sister Jean knew she wanted to pursue a religious life. She was inspired by her teacher, a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or BVMs, and felt called to join the order herself. After graduating from St. Paul's High School in 1937, she entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary convent in Iowa, where she received her habit and the name Sister Jean Dolores.
In 1941, now a sister, she returned to California to teach at Catholic schools in her home state during World War II. She pursued her Bachelor's of English at Mount Saint Mary's College (now University) while teaching during the week, attending classes on Saturdays and during the summers. She graduated in 1949 and went on to earn her master's degree at Loyola University of Los Angeles (now Loyola Marymount) in 1961.
In the same year, she began teaching at Mundelein College, an all-women's school in Chicago. When Mundelein merged with Loyola University in 1991, Sister Jean was hired as assistant dean and academic advisor. In 1994, at the age of 75, she retired from her administrative role but felt called to continue serving the university in a new capacity. She became the chaplain of the men's basketball team, offering pregame prayers and spiritual support.
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Sister Jean's career
Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt, also known as Sister Jean, is a Catholic nun and the current chaplain for the Loyola Chicago Ramblers men's basketball team. Her career as a nun and educator spans many decades and has had a significant impact on the Loyola community and beyond.
Sister Jean's journey began when she joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1937 at the young age of 18. This religious congregation is based in Dubuque, Iowa, and is known for its dedication to education and social service. As a member of this order, Sister Jean would have embraced a life of prayer, community, and service to others.
Her early career focused on education. She taught in Catholic schools across California and Missouri for several decades. During this time, she also furthered her own education, eventually earning a master's degree in educational administration. This degree equipped her to take on leadership roles within the schools she served.
In 1961, Sister Jean began her long association with Loyola University Chicago. She joined the faculty of Mundelein College, which was a small Catholic women's college that later became part of Loyola. During her time at Mundelein, she taught a range of subjects, including English, history, and theology. She also served as a dean and academic advisor, shaping the academic and spiritual lives of countless students.
When Mundelein College merged with Loyola University Chicago in 1991, Sister Jean seamlessly transitioned into the larger Loyola community. She continued her work as an educator and academic advisor, known for her dedication to students and her unique ability to connect with them. In addition to her academic roles, Sister Jean also served as the coordinator of Loyola's pastoral care program, providing spiritual support and guidance to students, faculty, and staff.
However, it is her role as the chaplain for the men's basketball team that has brought her the most public attention. She began serving as the team chaplain in the 1990s and has been an integral part of the team's success and culture ever since. She offers spiritual guidance, pre-game prayers, and a unique perspective to the players and coaches. Her presence on the sidelines, often in her signature maroon and gold scarf, has become an iconic image for the team.
Throughout her career, Sister Jean has embodied the values of Catholic education and service. Her dedication to her faith, her students, and the Loyola community has inspired countless individuals and brought national attention to the positive impact of Catholic sisters.
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Sister Jean and basketball
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, born on August 21, 1919, is an American religious sister of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She has been the chaplain for the Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team at Loyola University Chicago since 1994. She gained fame beyond the Loyola community after the Ramblers' upset of Miami in the 2018 NCAA men's basketball tournament. Her fame continued to grow after the team upset Tennessee in the round of 32, sending Loyola to their first Sweet 16 appearance in 33 years. The then-98-year-old Sister Jean quickly became a star in the tournament.
Sister Jean has been a good luck charm for the Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team. She leads the team in prayer before matches and advises the players. Her role with the team has earned her numerous accolades, including induction into the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame. She has inspired her own bobblehead doll and was honoured with a "Sister Jean Day" on December 1, 2012. Loyola has also produced a "Sr. Jean Superfan" pin.
Sister Jean's love for basketball began when she was a student at St. Paul's High School in San Francisco, where she played on the girls' basketball team. She moved to Chicago in 1961 and became active in the city's civil rights movement. She was hired by Loyola in 1991 when Mundelein College, where she worked, was merged into Loyola. In 1994, she was ready to retire at age 75 but was asked to be the chaplain for the men's basketball team, which she called "the most transformational and transcendent position of my life".
At the age of 103, Sister Jean published her first book, "Wake Up with Purpose: What I've Learned in My First Hundred Years", in which she offers life lessons and spiritual guidance. She turned 105 in 2024 and is still working, continuing to support the Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team. She celebrated her birthday with seven parties organised by the university, students, and the assisted living community where she resides.
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Sister Jean's fame
Sister Jean, born Jean Dolores Schmidt, is a Catholic nun and chaplain for the Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team at Loyola University Chicago. She gained fame as the "Basketball Nun" after the Ramblers' upset of Miami in the 2018 NCAA men's basketball tournament, where they advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 1963. Her fame continued to grow after the team upset Tennessee, sending Loyola to their first Sweet 16 appearance in 33 years. The then-98-year-old Sister Jean quickly became a star in the tournament, with her bobblehead selling for over $300 on eBay.
Sister Jean's journey began in San Francisco, California, where she was born and raised in a devout Catholic family. She first considered becoming a nun while in third grade at a Catholic school. After graduating from St. Paul's High School, where she played on the girls' basketball team, she entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary convent in Iowa in 1937. In 1941, she returned to California to teach at various Catholic schools, including St. Bernard School and St. Charles Borromeo School, where she also started a sports program for women. During the mid-1960s, she was active in the civil rights movement.
In 1961, Sister Jean moved to Chicago to teach at Mundelein College, where she held numerous leadership positions. When Mundelein merged with Loyola in 1991, she became a Loyola employee and has been with the university ever since. In 1994, she took on the role of team chaplain for the Ramblers men's basketball team, providing spiritual and scouting support. She inspired her own bobblehead doll in 2011 and was honoured with a "Sister Jean Day" on December 1, 2012. Loyola also produced a "Sr. Jean Superfan" pin.
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Sister Jean's legacy
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on August 21, 1919, is an American religious sister of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is best known for her role as the chaplain for the Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team at Loyola University Chicago.
Jean Dolores Schmidt was born and raised in San Francisco, California, and first considered becoming a nun while she was in third grade. After graduating from high school in 1937, she entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary convent in Iowa. In 1941, she returned to California to teach. During the mid-1960s, she was active in the civil rights movement. She moved to Chicago in 1961 to teach at Mundelein College, which later merged with Loyola in 1991. She has worked as the chaplain for the Ramblers men's basketball team since 1994, providing spiritual and scouting support.
Sister Jean gained national attention in 2018 when Loyola advanced to the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament. Her fame continued to grow as the then-98-year-old nun quickly became a star of the tournament. Her influence and legacy at Loyola and beyond continued to grow, and in 2023, she published her first book, "Wake Up with Purpose: What I've Learned in My First Hundred Years," offering spiritual guidance and sharing her life story. In 2024, at the age of 105, she received a proclamation from President Joe Biden, marking her incredible contributions to the Loyola and broader Chicago communities.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt is a Catholic nun and chaplain for the Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team at Loyola University Chicago.
Sister Jean is famous for her role as chaplain for the Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team, particularly during their 2018 NCAA Final Four appearance. She has also gained recognition for her work as a teacher, administrator, dean, and academic advisor at Loyola University Chicago.
Sister Jean was born on August 21, 1919, and turned 103 years old in 2022.
