NCAA legend Sister Jean continues to live her best life as a March Madness icon celebrates her 105th birthday!
After Loyola University Chicago, where Jean served as the Ramblers’ chaplain for more than 20 years, kicked off the birthday celebration, several sports leagues followed suit with social media posts.
“A #MarchMadness legend turns 105 today π Happy Birthday, Sister Jean!” NCAA March Madness posted on X, while MLB added, “Sister Jean turns 105 today!”
The league also shared a video of “a legendary Cubs cheerleader throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley last year to celebrate her 104th birthday.”
98-year-old Chicago nun who loves basketball says she prays for another team β but ‘not that much’
Sister Jean January 15, 2019
Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty
Born Aug. 21, 1919, the NCAA superfan and beloved nun told PEOPLE on her 103rd birthday that her best secret to a long and fulfilling life is simple: “I sleep well and I hope I pray well.”
In 2018, then 98 years old, Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt became a social media sensation after watching the Ramblers beat the Miami Hurricanes (64β62) in an incredible upset.
Sister Jean waited 33 years to see her team win the NCAA Tournament before the mistake happened. The players even considered her another coach, as she often gives advice on how to deal with the other team.
During the performance at Good morning America at the time, Sister Jean spoke about her newfound fame and how faith plays a big part in her support for the team. He says he prays with the team before their games.
Sister Jean, a beloved 101-year-old nun, will travel with Loyola-Chicago to the NCAA Tournament
“I pray, but sometimes there’s a little more to prayer than talking to God… We want to make sure that when the buzzer goes off, the numbers show that we’re getting a big W,” Sister Jean told the hosts. “I’m praying for the other team, maybe not as hard.”
In 2022, she published her memoirs, Wake Up With Purpose!: What I’ve Learned in My First Hundred Years. Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the time, she said, βThe title of the book is Wake up with a purpose and that’s what I do every morning. Although I am currently 103 years old, I enjoy life.”
March Madness Icon Sister Jean Shares Her Wisdom at 103 in ‘Thrilling and Emotional’ New Memoir
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She added that waking up with a purpose means “that I actually have a purpose in everything I do every day,” which she attributes to her relationship with God.
“The first prayer I say in the morning is: ‘Thank you God for bringing me to this day and let me do everything for your honor and glory.’ So that’s a big purpose for me and if I can focus on God during the day, I’m very happy about that,” she said.
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Source: HIS Education