The country’s most iconic centenarian college basketball fan turned 103 on Sunday.
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, longtime chaplain for the Loyola University men’s basketball team, celebrated her birthday with a dedication ceremony in Chicago.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot declared Sunday “Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt Day” in the city, and the plaza outside the Chicago Transit Authority’s Loyola Red Line stop was named in her honor.
Sister Jean: you are a role model to us all — inspiring us to love our neighbors and build strong communities. I’m thrilled to be a part of your 103rd birthday celebration and to officially unveil the Sister Jean CTA Plaza. pic.twitter.com/eHm4tK4THI
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) August 21, 2022
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“You’re all my fans, you’re all Loyola fans. And as I looked at the group today, I thought to myself, some way you each fit into some prayer that I say every morning,” Sister Jean said, according to WIFR. “And so remember that — when things get hard, just say God, where is Sister Jean’s prayer? Not that I have direct contact with him, but I let him hear things every once in a while.”
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also participated in Sister Jean’s 103rd birthday celebration.
“From now, on, every visitor and every current and former Loyola University Chicago hops on or off the CTA will see your name shining down on them, a reminder of how much you mean to everyone here at the university and across the community, across the city and across the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said. “Here’s to 103 years, and many, many more. Congratulations, happy birthday and remember, go Ramblers.”
PHOTOS: Loyola Red Line plaza renamed for ‘world famous’ Sister Jean on her 103rd birthday, via @mary_norkol here at the @Suntimes. #Chicago https://t.co/EYKRdypeWs pic.twitter.com/gexyAc54pa
— Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere (@TylerLaRiviere) August 21, 2022
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Sister Jean thanked those in attendance.
“I do appreciate all of you. And we’ve known some for a long time, some for a shorter time,” Sister Jean said. “But just know that you’re doing God’s work and that’s what’s important. And thank you again. And of course, I have to say what the others did — go Ramblers.”
