• Loading stock data...
Thursday, January 23, 2025

Sister Jean Returns to The Sweet Sixteen

Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Loyola Chicago upset No. 1 seed Illinois in the NCAA tournament this week, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. If you’re not familiar with the Ramblers basketball program, there’s still a good chance you’ve heard a thing or two about Sister Jean.

The team chaplain since 1994, Sister Jean has been known locally in Chicago for many years — she was honored with “Sister Jean Day” in 2012. Her national presence grew when the 11th-seeded Loyola team reached the Final Four in 2018.

She has become a symbol so popular that the Loyola bookstore sold almost 19,000 of her bobbleheads in 2018, a number which included orders from all 50 states. At the time, Sister Jean bobbleheads from 2011 were listed on eBay for $300. 

Naturally, this year’s tournament has been a bit different for Jean Dolores Schmidt.

The 101-year-old has given her famous scouting report by video conference this season due to COVID-19. But this isn’t the first global pandemic Sister Jean has lived through — she was born during the Spanish flu crisis.

After receiving both vaccine doses and following COVID-19 protocols, Sister Jean was granted permission to attend the tournament this year, allowing her to see the men’s team for the first time since she was sent home from campus last March.

The bobbleheads are back with a new model Sister Jean is “truly honored” to see. More than 2,000 have been sold for $25 apiece. Sister Jean refuses to pocket any of the proceeds, which instead go to Loyola’s athletic department and her religious institute.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sponsored

How Sportradar and the NBA Are Shaping the Future of Immersive Fan..

By transforming raw data into tailored, interactive content, Sportradar helps turn the NBA’s enormous fanbase into active participants.
Nov 24, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks center Sakima Walker (35) and UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) jockey for rebounding position during the fourth quarter at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory

Players Era NIL Tourney to Add Women’s Basketball in 2025

Get ready for a South Carolina–UCLA rematch.
Sep 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd running back Ethan Payne (28) dives in for the touchdown during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory

Portal-Depleted Marshall Bows Out of Independence Bowl

Louisiana Tech (5–7) will take Marshall’s place.
Sponsored

Racing Forward: How SailGP is Redefining High-Performance Sailing and Championing Gender Equality

The most exciting racing on water is making waves by rewriting the narrative of what’s possible for women in high-performance sports.

Featured Today

Jeremiah Smith

Ohio State’s Title Isn’t As Simple As $20 Million in NIL

Three lessons from the Buckeyes’ title beyond “pay the best players.”
January 22, 2025

Can Upstart Sports Leagues Beat the Grim Start-Up Odds?

Investors think they can buck the massive failure rate of new enterprises.
January 21, 2025

Amateurism Dilemma on Full Display at the College Football Playoff

The sport has never looked or operated more like a pro league.
January 19, 2025

Unrivaled’s Impeccable Timing Pressures WNBA to Give Players More

The league could “blow the lid off” the business of women’s sports.

CFP Title Game Draws 22 Million Viewers, Down 12% From Last Year

Ohio State defeated Notre Dame in Monday’s title game.
Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate their 34-23 win over Notre Dame Fighting Irish to win the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
January 21, 2025

Why College Football Playoff Championship Game Must Be on Monday

It’d be a bad idea for the CFP to compete with the NFL.
January 21, 2025

CFP Aftermath: What’s Next for Ryan Day and Marcus Freeman?

Ohio State defeated Notre Dame in the title game Monday.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Ryan Day
January 21, 2025

Million-Dollar Bonuses to $2 Hot Dogs: The Big Money of Ohio State’s..

Ryan Day landed a seven-figure bonus for winning it all Monday night.
January 20, 2025

Ohio State’s $20M NIL Roster Just Won the National Championship

It’s believed to be one of the highest payrolls in CFB.
January 19, 2025

CFP Title Game and Inauguration Falling on Same Day for First Time

The CFP executive director called it a “big day for the country.”
January 19, 2025

What’s Next for the CFP? Expansion, Format Changes on the Horizon

Year 1 of the expanded College Football Playoff concludes Monday.