On Thursday, it was announced that Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, a former March Madness star from Loyola University Chicago, died at the age of 106.
She was a Catholic nun and a minister at the school, though she went viral for being the official chaplain of the men’s basketball team.
The Chicago Cubs, in honor of Sister Jean, displayed her name at Wrigley Field on Friday, celebrating her as one of Chicago’s icons.
In 2023, for her 104th birthday, she threw out the first pitch before a Cubs game.
“We’re deeply saddened by Sister Jean’s passing. She was loved by Cubs fans and all who knew her. Our thoughts are with the Loyola community and everyone touched by this loss,” the Cubs wrote in a statement.
Sister Jean became a celebrity during the 2018 NCCA Men’s College Basketball tournament, when Loyola-Chicago made a Cinderella Final Four run as a No. 11 seed.
She supported the team throughout the run by attending every game, cheering the players on, and praying for them. As the Loyola team made its run, Sister Jean grew more popular, with the school selling bobbleheads and clothing featuring her.
Her support was not limited to off the court; she also provided scouting reports and suggestions to the coaching staff and players.
“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.”
Loading twitter content…
In September, the university announced that Schmidt would be stepping back from official duties and retiring due to health issues.
She played basketball during her youth and started girls’ sports programs well before her time, also supporting the men’s college basketball team at Loyola.
During an interview with ABC News back in 2023, she highlighted the importance of sports.
“I think sports [are] very important because they help develop life skills, and during those life skills you’re also talking about faiths and purpose,” she said.
For her help in moving the basketball program along and providing service to the school, she was inducted into the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 and was awarded the Sword of Loyola in 2018.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.