Team Chaplain Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt is a beloved sports figure whose loyalty to her team, Loyola Chicago, has earned her a place of prestige and respect both in Chicago and throughout the world of college basketball—or so we thought.
The Loyola of Chicago Ramblers notched their seventh win of the young season after handing Eastern Michigan a 76-54 defeat, bringing their record to 7-0. However, social media users became enraged mere moments after the game ended as cameras captured Ramblers players making their way off the court and completely ignored Sister Jean, who sat in her wheelchair with her hand extended to congratulate them.
Why’d they do Sister Jean like that? 💔 pic.twitter.com/UcPnyE0OAp
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) December 4, 2024
Reaction to the snubbery flowed in fast on X.
@CoachDrewLU this is disrespectful. You gotta teach the boys better than this.
— Treadmill Horse (@treadmillhorse) December 5, 2024
This is actually wildly disappointing…
— Afternooners (Lottos not Locks) (@after12ers) December 4, 2024
Sister Jean been a fan longer than these guys’ parents have been alive.
Show some respect.
Sister Jean may forgive. We won't forget.
— Martin Swanson (@bigredtank72) December 4, 2024
Wow I wish I never saw this. This ruined Christmas.
— Karl Kolchak I.N.S. (@Hucklberry13) December 5, 2024
i know she probably didn’t care but that hurts my feelings
— jack (@thejackbrewski) December 4, 2024
It appears that only the final two players declined to bump fists with Sister Jean. However, even one missed fist bump is too much.
Sister Jean began working at Loyola Chicago in 1991 as an academic advisor. Only three years later, she took over the role for which she is best known: team chaplain for the Ramblers.
Sister Jean turned 105 in August and shows no signs of quitting.
