At 105 years old, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt is excited about a new season of basketball at Loyola University in Chicago.
As chaplain for the men’s team for 30 years, she’s famous as the “basketball nun” — stealing the show and people’s hearts when the Loyola Ramblers made it to the Final Four at the 2018 NCAA basketball tournament.
Known simply as Sister Jean, she leads the team in a pre-game prayer before matches and serves as a good luck charm. Enthusiastic, uplifting and knowledgeable about basketball, “she’s like another coach,” one of the players told the Chicago Tribune. “She knows her stuff.”
Born on Aug. 21, 1919, the centenarian continues to work at least five days a week, commuting from her apartment to campus via shuttle bus, and offering advice, support and hugs to students in her office. She uses an iPad, a computer and is active on email, but it’s the personal connection with young people that matters most.
“I love every bit of it. … It just makes me very joyful,” Sister Jean tells TODAY.com. “I don’t consider it really working. I just have so much fun. These students are a joy to work with. I learn so much from them, and I know they learn from me.”
She celebrated her 105th birthday with seven parties organized by the university, students and the assisted living community where she resides.
The nun is a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She’s spent her life working as a teacher, administrator and principal. She’s also coached basketball and other sports.
“I feel fine” at 105, Sister Jean says. “I eat well, I sleep well and hopefully I pray well.”
Here are some of the secrets of her longevity:
Be around young people
“I love being around young people. They keep me alive, healthy, and vibrant,” she writes in her memoir, “Wake…
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