Sister Jean's March Madness takeover, explained: The story of Loyola-Chicago's viral superfan during 2018 Cinderella run

The most memorable figure from Loyola-Chicago's miraculous March Madness run in 2018 likely wasn't a player, coach, or even a mascot. It was Sister Jean, perhaps the oldest superfan in modern sports history.

As the Ramblers unexpectedly kept dancing through the 2018 NCAA Tournament, their biggest fan and team chaplain became an overnight celebrity.

Born in 1919 and now well-over 100 years old, Sister Jean has found college basketball stardom in her older years, from her NCAA Tournament courtside appearances to even having her own "Sister Jean Day" across the state of Illinois.

Here's everything to know about Sister Jean and her explosion of fame from Loyola's 2018 March Madness run.

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Who is Sister Jean?

Sister Jean, whose full name is Jean Dolores Schmidt, is an American religious sister of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. More famously, she is the chaplain for the Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team in Chicago. 

Born in 1919 in San Francisco, Sister Jean first considered becoming a nun when she was in third grade, per DNA Info. She attended St. Paul's High School in San Francisco, playing basketball and graduating in 1937 before entering the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary convent in Iowa.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Sister Jean returned to California after becoming a sister. She completed her B.A. at Mount St. Mary's College, then her M.A. at Loyola University of Los Angeles in 1961.

Initially a teacher in California, Sister Jean began teaching at Mundelein College, a private Roman Catholic college in Chicago, in 1961. When Mundelein was merged into Loyola in 1991, she was hired by the school, and she began her role as the chaplain for the men's basketball team in 1996. 

Sister Jean became known for her spiritual support for the Ramblers, of course, but also as an intense fan of the team.

"She doesn't hide her disdain for the officials. She might pray for a little extra guidance for them and hope they have a little extra knowledge," former Loyola head coach Porter Moser told DNA Info of Sister Jean in 2012.

By 2012, Sister Jean had gotten her own bobblehead and team night for Loyola-Chicago basketball. In 2016, she received an honorary doctorate from Loyola for 50 years of service at the university. 

Sister Jean made appearances with the Ramblers' team at the 2018, 2021, and 2022 NCAA Tournaments, where her fame rapidly increased.

On Aug. 21, 2019, Sister Jean turned 100, prompting Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to name the day "Sister Jean Day" across the state. As part of the celebration, Loyola also announced a scholarship fund and endowment in Sister Jean's honor to support students.

"I've never celebrated a month before, but why not, you only get to be 100 only once," she told WGN-TV Chicago at the time, per ESPN. "That's like being Cinderella, only once."

Check out how we are celebrating Sister Jean's 100th birthday at @LDCChicago ! Her LEGO Likeness will be on display at our attraction until October when the statue will move to @LoyolaChicago Gentile Arena.https://t.co/7oaoRICIDJ pic.twitter.com/Hm7aEEqeov

— LDC Chicago (@LDCChicago) August 20, 2019

On her 105th birthday in 2024, Sister Jean told the Chicago Sun-Times that her key to a long life is "to be considerate of other people, and you have to keep talking to the youth wherever you’re working because their energy transfers easily to you."

She also received a proclamation from President Joe Biden for her 105th birthday.

“As you have walked your faith throughout the years, your servant leadership and steadfast prayers have shaped the lives of thousands of young people and their families and inspired countless others throughout the world,” the letter from Biden read, per Loyola Today. “And by living out the values of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary — in corridors, in classrooms, and on the courtside of your beloved Ramblers games — you have shown us all that yours is a life well lived."

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Sister Jean's March Madness takeover

Although she had been in her role with Loyola's basketball team for decades by that point, in 2018, Sister Jean's massive moment in the spotlight came when the Ramblers made a run to the Final Four.

She became an overnight celebrity in the college basketball world, as fans who were unfamiliar with her close relationship with the Ramblers enjoyed her presence, prayers, and support during the team's run throughout the 2018 tournament.

Loyola-Chicago, led by players like Clayton Custer, Cameron Krutwig, and Donte Ingram, became the fourth-ever No. 11 seed to reach the Final Four, as well as the first since VCU in 2011. What made the Ramblers' success even more captivating was how close their wins were, as they beat Miami 64-62, Tennessee 63-62, then Nevada 69-68 in the first three rounds. 

Never forget Loyola Chicago's improbable run to the Final Four in 2018 @RamblersMBB pic.twitter.com/Xd3Q1Htv0p

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 5, 2025

In the Elite Eight, Loyola beat Kansas State 78-62 to reach the Final Four for the first time since 1963, but the Ramblers then fell to Michigan. 

Through it all, Sister Jean was there supporting her squad. From the Ramblers' players hugging her after wins, to viral moments of her reactions to the action, she became the face of the team's success and a good-luck charm at 98.

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 28, 2018

While the Ramblers also made the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and 2022, with Sister Jean appearing at both of those tournaments, Loyola-Chicago didn't make as deep of a run those years. As a No. 8 seed in 2021, the Ramblers reached the Sweet 16, and as a No. 10 seed in 2022, they lost in the first round.

However, even with the pandemic still affecting crowd sizes for the 2021 tournament, she was in attendance.

Sister Jean is ready to go in the Sweet 16. pic.twitter.com/NwtfCXVTsi

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 27, 2021

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Did Loyola-Chicago win 2018 March Madness tournament?

Loyola-Chicago did not win the 2018 March Madness tournament. The Ramblers did reach the Final Four that year, just their second-ever appearance at that stage, but they fell to Michigan.  Villanova then won the title over Michigan. 

To date, the Ramblers have made the Final Four in just 1963 and 2018, with the 1963 tournament also resulting in their only title.

HISTORY OF MARCH MADNESS UPSETS BY SEED:
16 vs. 1 | 15 vs. 2 | 14 vs. 3 | 13 vs. 4 | 12 vs. 5

Why is Sister Jean in a wheelchair?

According to The Athletic, Sister Jean is in a wheelchair because she broke her hip and then developed shingles while she was rehabilitating from the injury.

The wheelchair hasn't stopped her from making plenty of public appearances, including throwing the first pitch at a Cubs game in 2022. 

— MLB (@MLB) September 27, 2022

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How old is Sister Jean?

Sister Jean celebrated her 106th birthday on Aug. 21, 2025. She is 10 years younger than the oldest living person, Ethel Caterham, who is 116.

On her birthday, Sister Jean wrote a message to the Loyola-Chicago community.

"Yes, it is my 106th birthday. Birthdays are special days, and this one is also very special. In fact, I am unable to be there because I have a bad summer cold and other health issues, so it has been decided that I should not go to Lake Shore Campus to be with you on my birthday," she wrote. "That makes me very sad, but you can still celebrate. I want you to enjoy the treats and the new Sr. Jean pin."

She also addressed the students at the university, telling them to "make new friends" and "be yourself."

"Let your dreams become reality. Don’t let anybody stop you," Sister Jean wrote. "You are the future leaders of our churches, our schools, our country, and our world. I wish you success during the 2025/2026 academic year."

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) August 21, 2025

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Where did Sister Jean go to college?

Sister Jean got her Bachelor’s of English from Mount Saint Mary’s College, which is now Mount Saint Mary’s University. She graduated in 1949, then went on to get her master’s at Loyola University of Los Angeles, which is now Loyola Marymount.

She also has an honorary degree from Loyola University Chicago.