You've seen her on the sidelines. The glasses. The scarf. The unwavering gaze that seems to possess some secret knowledge about the bracket that we mortals simply don't have. Every March, like clockwork, the internet starts buzzing with the same question: is Sister Jean still alive? She is. Honestly, it’s one of those rare, genuinely good stories that sports fans cling to when everything else feels too corporate or too cynical. Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the chaplain for the Loyola University Chicago Ramblers, isn't just "still alive"—she is thriving. She has lived through two world wars, the Great Depression, and more NCAA upsets than most of us can count.
Born in 1919, she hit the triple digits years ago and kept right on going.
Why the World is Obsessed with Sister Jean’s Age
It started in 2018. Remember that? Loyola Chicago went on that absolute tear, a Cinderella run that wrecked every single bracket in the country. Suddenly, this 98-year-old nun was the face of the tournament. People were fascinated. She wasn’t just a mascot; she was scouting teams. She was writing reports. She was telling the players they needed to play better defense if they wanted to win.
When a person hits 100, the public generally expects them to be resting. Sister Jean doesn't really do "rest" in the traditional sense. She’s still the chaplain. She still shows up.
People ask is Sister Jean still alive because, frankly, our brains aren't wired to see 106-year-olds (as of 2025) being this sharp, this vocal, and this invested in a college basketball game. It feels like a glitch in the matrix. But her presence is a reminder of longevity that isn't just about surviving—it's about staying relevant. She has seen the game change from a low-scoring affair to the high-paced, three-point-heavy era we see today. And she has opinions on all of it.
The Secret to 106 Years of Basketball and Faith
What keeps her going? It's the question every doctor and longevity researcher wants to crack. Is it the prayer? The basketball? The specific way she looks at a box score?
She’s been asked this a million times.
Sister Jean usually points to a few basic things. She wakes up early. She prays. She eats breakfast. She talks to people. That’s the big one. Social isolation is a killer for the elderly, but Sister Jean is surrounded by 20-somethings constantly. She’s part of a community that needs her. That sense of purpose is arguably more effective than any "superfood" or supplement.
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Her Daily Routine at Loyola
She lives in a retirement community for sisters, but her heart is on the Lake Shore Campus. Before games, she isn't just saying a quick prayer and heading to the lounge. She is analyzing. She famously provides scouting reports for the team. Think about that for a second. A woman born before the invention of the television is giving tactical advice to D1 athletes.
- She watches the tapes.
- She looks at the opponent's shooting percentages.
- She offers spiritual guidance that’s grounded in the reality of the game.
She isn't interested in "participation trophies." Sister Jean wants to win. That competitive fire is probably what keeps her heart beating so strong. When you have a game to prepare for, you don't have time to slow down.
Is Sister Jean Still Alive and Attending Games?
If you were watching the Ramblers lately, you might have spotted her. While she uses a wheelchair to get around the arena—standard procedure for someone who has lived more than a century—her voice is as clear as ever.
During the 2021 tournament, when the world was still reeling from the pandemic, there was a massive debate about whether she should travel to the "bubble" in Indy. She was 101 then. Most people her age were rightfully staying indoors. Not Jean. She lobbied. She pushed. She got her vaccine and she got on that bus.
She told the media back then that she wasn't afraid. She had work to do.
Beyond the Meme: The Real Impact of Jean Dolores Schmidt
It’s easy to look at her as a "viral sensation." That’s a disservice.
Sister Jean has been at Loyola since the 1960s. Before she was a national celebrity, she was a teacher, an administrator, and a mentor. She’s seen the university through its highest highs and its lowest lows. When the team isn't winning, she’s still there. When the stands are empty, she’s still there.
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Her book, Wake Up with Purpose: What I've Learned in My Hundred Years, actually gives some pretty profound insight into her mindset. She talks about "the 3 L's"—learn, love, and live. It sounds simple. It is simple. But simplicity is hard to maintain over ten decades.
Dealing with the "Death Hoaxes"
Because she is such a public figure and of such an advanced age, the internet occasionally does that cruel thing where a fake news report starts circulating. Every few months, a rogue tweet or a poorly sourced Facebook post will claim she’s passed away.
This is why people constantly search is Sister Jean still alive.
The best way to verify her status? Look at the Loyola Chicago Athletics social media pages. If she’s gone, the sports world will stop. It won't be a quiet rumor; it will be a national day of mourning. Until then, if you haven't seen an official statement from the university or the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she’s likely just busy preparing for the next home game.
What 106 Years of Life Looks Like
Think about the context of her birth year, 1919.
The Treaty of Versailles was signed.
The 19th Amendment (giving women the right to vote) was passed by Congress.
The NFL didn't even exist yet.
Sister Jean has watched the world transform from a horse-and-buggy society to one where people watch her on iPhones. She hasn't just "lived" through it; she’s adapted. She uses email. She understands the modern world. That adaptability is her real superpower. Many people "age out" of culture because they stop trying to understand it. Sister Jean stayed curious.
The Legend of the 2018 Run
We have to talk about 2018 one more time. That was the year she became "the most famous nun in America." Loyola, an 11-seed, made it to the Final Four. Sister Jean’s bracket was actually better than most experts'. She had them going to the Sweet 16, but even she—in her humble realism—didn't predict they'd go all the way to the Final Four.
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She became a bobblehead. (Literally, her bobblehead became the best-selling one in history at the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum). She took it all in stride. She didn't let the fame go to her head, mostly because she's a nun and has a pretty solid perspective on what matters.
Staying Informed on Sister Jean’s Health
As we move through 2025 and into 2026, her health is obviously a topic of concern for fans. At her age, every day is a gift. The university has been very transparent about her well-being. She has slowed down her travel schedule slightly compared to five years ago, but she remains an active presence on campus.
She still meets with players.
She still attends Mass.
She still has that sharp, witty sense of humor that catches reporters off guard.
If you’re looking for the latest updates, the Loyola Ramblers' official site is the gold standard. They treat her like the treasure she is.
How to Live Like Sister Jean
If you want the "Sister Jean" longevity, you don't necessarily need to join a convent or become a basketball chaplain. But you can take some notes from her playbook.
- Stay Social. Don't hide away. Keep talking to people who are younger than you. It keeps your brain from calcifying.
- Have a Passion. Whether it’s a sports team, a garden, or a cause, you need a reason to get out of bed that isn't just "it's morning."
- Keep Your Mind Sharp. Read the news. Watch the games. Form opinions. Don't just let the world happen to you.
- Practice Resilience. Sister Jean has lost friends, family, and colleagues. You don't get to 106 without seeing a lot of tragedy. Her faith provides her a framework to process that without becoming bitter.
The Final Word on a Living Legend
So, is Sister Jean still alive? Yes. She is a 106-year-old force of nature. She is the heartbeat of Loyola Chicago and a symbol of hope for anyone who thinks their "best years" are behind them.
She proves that as long as you have a purpose—and maybe a decent jump shot—you’re never truly out of the game. Keep an eye on the sidelines during the next Ramblers game. You’ll see her there, scarf on, scouting report in hand, ready for the tip-off.
Actionable Next Steps
To stay genuinely updated on Sister Jean without falling for internet hoaxes, follow these reliable channels:
- Official Loyola Chicago Athletics Twitter/X: This is where game-day photos and updates are posted first.
- The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM): Her religious order often shares more personal updates regarding her milestones and service.
- Local Chicago Sports News: Outlets like the Chicago Tribune or Sun-Times have dedicated beat writers for Loyola who provide regular check-ins on Sister Jean's status.
- Watch the Games: The easiest way to see her is to tune in to the Ramblers. If she's there, the cameras will find her. It’s a March Madness tradition that isn't going away anytime soon.