Chicago City Wire

U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Plano) recently congratulated the Loyola University Chicago Ramblers men’s basketball team for reaching the NCAA Final Four and inspiring the nation.

"No one can forget Sister Jean who was a centerpiece of Loyola’s Cinderella story–her selflessness, service to others and love for the Loyola men’s basketball team gave the nation hope and joy throughout the tournament," Hultgren said, addressing the House. 

Jean Dolores-Schmidt, or Sister Jean as she is known to the Ramblers, is the team's chaplain and became the de facto mascot for the men's basketball team during the tournament. She is also a religious sister of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Plano)

"At 98, Sister Jean never tired — it was clear she was having the time of her life," Hultgren said. 

Hultgren did not only address Sister Jean. He said the Ramblers "showed skill on the court and hard work studying off the court."

"Loyola Chicago is dedicated to training students to be 'men and women for others' and to lead extraordinary lives. Its class-act basketball program has embodied sportsmanship ever since 1963 when it became the only Illinois school to win the NCAA tournament, and still is," Hultgren said. 

Hultgren represents the 14th District of Illinois, and said he is a proud representative of Loyola’s Retreat and Ecology Campus in Woodstock, which is in his district. 

"I wish all the best for the Loyola Chicago men’s basketball team and hope to see Sister Jean dance with them again next March," Hultgren said. 

The Ramblers were the first-seed team in the Missouri Valley tournament. They beat third-seed Illinois State to advance to the NCAA Tournament. 

Loyola then beat formidable teams during their run, including sixth-seed Miami (FL), third-seed Tennessee, and seventh-seed Nevada before falling to third-seed Michigan in the Final Four.