Who is Sister Jean? Exploring the life of Loyola's "basketball nun" as she hit another impressive milestone

The chaplain of Loyola University Chicago, Sister Jean Delores Schmidt, who rose to national prominence during the Ramblers' 2018 Final Four run, recently celebrated her 106th birthday. She frequently stopped by Loyola's student center to greet students with her famous smile. When Loyola participated in the 2021 tournament, Sister Jean once more attracted national attention. After receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, she was allowed to attend the tournament.

Special tributes poured in as Sister Jean turned 106

Sister Jean, or Jean Dolores Schmidt, is the chaplain of the Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team at Loyola University Chicago. She is also an American Catholic religious sister in the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.She began serving as the chaplain for Loyola's men's basketball team in 1994. She has been a chaplain for Loyola University Chicago's men's basketball team for over 30 years. She became famous during the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

That is because Loyola Chicago reached the Final Four when they defeated teams including Miami. Sister Jean returned to the limelight in 2021 as she came in the support of Loyola Chicago.Following the team's victory over Tennessee in the round of 32 and moving on to its first Sweet 16 visit in 33 years, her fame only increased. The nun, who was 98 at the time, rose to prominence in the competition quite fast. Her bobblehead brought over $300 on eBay.

Now, college basketball fans are celebrating Sister Jean. That’s because she just hit another impressive milestone when she turned 106. One fan wrote, “The heart and soul of the Ramblers! She’s such a treasure”, another one said, “Happy birthday.” A third one wrote, “a true blessing, happy 100th Sister Jean.”

Others also did the same. One said, “heck yeah,” and another one wrote, “congrats.” Finally, one commented, “Happy Birthday sister Jean, looking good!”

Basketball nun Sister Jean once switched sports and threw the first pitch at Wrigley Field

Loyola-Chicago basketball team chaplain Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt tested her transition from hoops to baseball on April 10, 2018.

She did it by tossing out the ceremonial first pitch from her wheelchair at Wrigley Field before the Chicago Cubs' home opener.

Prior to the Cubs' home opener on Tuesday, the popular 98-year-old Loyola-Chicago basketball team chaplain, who made it to the Final Four, again changed sports. At Wrigley Field, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt made an underhand throw from her wheelchair that led to a thunderous applause. She laughed as she watched the ball bounce towards home plate. She also threw the first pitch at Wrigley Field six years later during the Chicago Cubs' game against the Milwaukee Brewers. It seemed like a good hit when Sister Jean wound up and threw the ball to Cubs Mascot Clark the Club. Also read: La La Anthony celebrates niece’s birthday as Carmelo Anthony reflects on loyalty and brotherhood in NBA