The college basketball world is celebrating the birthday of a March Madness icon … but it’s not a player or a coach – it’s Loyola Chicago’s own Sister Jean!!!
The Ramblers basketball team’s famous chaplain enjoys her 105th trip around the sun on Wednesday…and she looks great!!
Happy 105th birthday, Sister Jean 💛 pic.twitter.com/fz9bbvzu7F
— Loyola University Chicago (@LoyolaChicago) 21 August 2024
@LoyolaChicago
Although she only became a household name after her Ramblers’ surprise victory over Miami in the 2018 NCAA tournament, Sister Jean has been a fixture on the university campus for years.
She began her college career in 1961, when she was employed at Mundelein College. Thirty years later, the school merged with Loyola… and she has been a mainstay of the campus ever since.
Although we know her as a legend of the sport, she probably would never have achieved her viral fame. She was close to retiring in 1994, but was asked to take on a role helping student-athletes maintain their grades and retain their eligibility.
She was then appointed chaplain of the troop… and the rest is history.
“That’s because I love working with these young people,” Jean said in her university biography“I think that’s what’s kept my heart young – not my body young – but it’s kept my heart young all these years.”
SEPTEMBER 2022
Courtesy of MLB
There’s no word on whether she’ll throw a first pitch for the Chicago Cubs anytime soon…but it’s something she has Completed on her last two birthdays.
Enjoy your day, Sister Jean!!
