Sister Jean retires at 106, ending Loyola Chicago chaplaincy era

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the 106-year-old Loyola University Chicago figure, is retiring as the Ramblers’ minister and men’s basketball chaplain. Loyola President Mark C. Reed confirmed the decision to the student newspaper, and Schmidt has not been seen on campus this semester. She turned 106 on Aug. 21, and in a letter she attributed a “bad summer cold and other health issues” for not celebrating publicly. Schmidt also was not able to attend the Ramblers’ April game in last season’s NIT against Chattanooga due to health concerns.

Schmidt rose to national prominence in 2018 when Loyola Chicago, then a mid-major program, advanced to the Final Four in March Madness. Her enduring presence became a symbol of the Ramblers’ Cinderella run as the team, seeded 11th, rallied with late-game buckets against high-level opponents such as Miami, Tennessee and Nevada to reach the Elite Eight by a combined four points. A 16-point win over Kansas State in the Elite Eight propelled Loyola Chicago to its first Final Four since the 1963 championship era.

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In the Final Four, Loyola Chicago’s title-game dreams were halted by Michigan, the eventual national runner-up. The run helped elevate head coach Porter Moser, who would depart Loyola Chicago for Oklahoma three years later. Schmidt remained a constant presence in Chicago’s sports community, using her platform to support the Ramblers and share her faith and enthusiasm for the program, often greeting players and fans with a familiar smile.

Her retirement marks the end of an era for Loyola Chicago’s athletic and spiritual landscape. Schmidt’s influence extended beyond the court, shaping the university’s public image during one of its most notable basketball chapters. As Loyola Chicago moves forward, the school will likely honor her decades of service and the unique cultural moment she helped define for the Ramblers and their supporters.