‘She had more energy than any of us’: Loyola Athletics Remembers Sister Jean

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM, chaplain of the men’s basketball team, died Oct. 9 at 106 years old. Schmidt provided students with faith guidance beginning in 1996 and became an international legend after the Ramblers went on their Final Four, Cinderella story run in 2018. 

Schmidt started working for the athletic department in 1994, transitioning from her role as an academic advisor to working specifically with the men’s and women’s basketball teams, helping student-athletes remain academically eligible, according to the university. 

Schmidt’s involvement with the team included overseeing the team on the court and in practice, providing an arena-wide prayer before games in Gentile Arena and writing up a scouting report for opponents, The Phoenix previously reported. 

Loyola’s Athletic Director Steve Watson released a statement following the press release on her death, reminiscing about her impact on student-athletes and all those who entered Norville. 

In an interview with The Phoenix, Watson shared a memory from his first interaction with Schmidt after being hired as Athletic Director 11 years ago. 

“When I walked in, Sister Jean came up to me — I’d never met her up to this point — and she said, ‘Hello, Steve, my name’s Sister Jean. Just so you know, these meetings start with my prayer,’” Watson said. “I was like, ‘Oh, okay.’ That’s Sister Jean.” 

Schmidt’s involvement with the athletic department went above and beyond what students originally thought. Since the beginning, Schmidt had a finger on everything happening, according to Watson. 

Back then, she was normally seen on Loyola’s Water Tower Campus, handing out flyers for any upcoming game, asking students if they’d be in attendance. 

“Of course you had to say yes,” Watson said. 

Schmidt retired at the beginning of the school year from her on-campus duties, The Phoenix previously reported — but, according to Watson, she never really stepped away from her love of basketball. 

On a visit to see Schmidt with himself, former member of the men’s basketball team Lucas Williamson and Head Coach Drew Valentine, Watson said all she wanted to talk about was the upcoming basketball season. 

“We walked in the room and she’s asking a million questions about the team, wanting to know how things are going and what she can do to help,” Watson said. “Did she ‘officially retire?’ I guess so, but she was going to be involved as much as she could and as much as she wanted.” 

Watson said Schmidt’s rise to fame as an international celebrity highlighted her quirky statements, including correcting author Seth Davis during the writing of her book, when he called her a national celebrity — she said was instead an international celebrity, and proceeded to list out all the countries who wanted to speak with her. 

She did interviews with a variety of news organizations throughout her life. During the 2018 Final Four run she told reporters that she “gave up losing for Lent.” 

After rising to fame in 2018, Schmidt’s schedule was packed, according to Watson, who said she was always available for anyone who wanted to interview her. 

“She probably slept nonstop for a week after the Final Four,” Watson said. “But it’s not true because she had more energy than any of us. Once people get a little taste of Sister Jean, you just want more.” 

Schmidt was known in the athletic department for writing up scouting reports and helping coaches with their opponents, according to Watson. When former Men’s Basketball Head Coach Porter Moser was hired, Watson said Schmidt left an envelope on his desk with a scouting report of all of the returning players. Watson said she did the same when President Mark C. Reed was inaugurated, giving him a list of things she wanted Reed to address. 

With the men’s basketball season approaching — regular season tip off is scheduled against Cleveland State University Nov. 3 — Watson said game day is going to take some time to get adapted to. 

“We will have to try to figure out how to change and adapt the little things that you expect, and things that are a part of our lives are not going to be there anymore.” Watson said. “A men’s basketball game day is going to be really, really weird without Sister Jean praying with the team before the game, saying the prayer out in the arena before the game, sitting in the tunnel and just being such a huge part of that.”

“We talked about, ‘Well, who’s going to say the prayer?’” Watson continued. “There ain’t nobody saying the prayer.” 

Valentine released a statement following the death announcement of Schmidt. 

“Sister Jean lived an amazing life, and I’ve been fortunate enough to spend the last nine years with her at Loyola,” Valentine said. “She always wanted to bring people together and impact them daily. That’s how I’ll remember her.” 

Loyola Athletics declined an interview with The Phoenix and Valentine for this article. 

Atlantic 10 (A10) Commissioner Bernadette McGlade released a statement following the announcement. 

“The Atlantic 10 Conference joins the Loyola Chicago community in mourning the loss of Sister Jean Schmidt,” McGlade said. “Her passion inspired student-athletes and basketball fans across the world, and her enlightening presence at Ramblers games will be missed.” 

Multiple current and former Rambler student-athletes across all sports posted about Schmidt on their social media sites, either reposting the university’s Instagram post or sharing pictures of their own. 

Former Rambler Sheldon Edwards Jr. shared a picture to his Instagram story of him and Schmidt fist-bumping with the caption, “Man, true inspiration! Rest in peace Sis. Ima miss your pregame prayers & post game emails. You were so much more lively & spirited than people know. I’m glad I was able to experience your energy & presence.” 

Moser released his own statement to his X account, emphasizing he will continue to talk about Schmidt and her positivity for the rest of his life. 

Several university athletic departments and prominent figures shared messages to their social media accounts, reposting Loyola’s initial announcement and sharing their thoughts on the life Schmidt had. 

Former president Barack Obama shared a link to the New York Times article published, writing “March Madness won’t be the same without Sister Jean.” 

Loyola Athletics partner Disparti Law Group as well as A10 conference members Saint Joseph’s University and La Salle University re-shared the X post sharing condolences.

A wake service and visitation for Schmidt will be held Wednesday, Oct. 15 at Madonna Della Strada Chapel on Loyola’s Lakeshore Campus. Doors to the chapel open at 4 p.m., with the service beginning at 5 p.m.. Visitation will follow after the conclusion of the service. 

Schmidt’s funeral mass will be held the following day, Thursday, Oct. 16 at Madonna Della Strada. The service is set to begin at 10 a.m. with doors opening at 9 a.m.. Following the service, a community reception will be held in the Damen Student Center.