College Basketball Fans Celebrating Sister Jean On Her 105th Birthday
08/21/2024 10:00 AM
Today marks an incredible milestone for Loyola University Chicago chaplain and March Madness legend Sister Jean.
August 21, 2024 marks Sister Jean's 105th birthday. She went viral during Loyola's Cinderella run in the 2018 NCAA Tournament and has been beloved by college hoops fans ever since.
"A #MarchMadness legend turns 105 today Happy birthday, Sister Jean!" NCAA March Madness posted on X.
Born in 1919, Jean Dolores Schmidt joined her convent in 1937 and began teaching in 1946.
She joined Loyola in 1991 and became the official Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team chaplain since 1994. Sister Jean received an honorary doctorate from the university in 2016.
Here are just some of the things that are noteworthy about the year Sister Jean was born:
- Babe Ruth still played for the Boston Red Sox
- John F. Kennedy was two years old
- The NFL had not yet been formed
- Betty White had not yet been born
Due to her advanced age, Sister Jean has begun living at a senior living residence in downtown Chicago but has done her best to continue to support the team when she's healthy enough, such as during their last NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022.
Two years ago today, Loyola honored Sister Jean by dedicating the plaza outside of the university's Chicago Transit Authority station to her.
Happy birthday, Sister Jean!
Related: Sister Jean Called Out The NCAA Tournament Selection Committee
