This might be the best non-basketball storyline of the 2021 NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
With Loyola Chicago back in it — they’re the No. 8 seed in the Midwest and will play Georgia Tech in the first round — it means one very important thing: Sister Jean is back.
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt is the Loyola Chicago chaplain who became the darling of the 2018 tourney as the Ramblers made an unlikely run to a Final Four. Her pregame prayers were wonderful. The memes about her were fun. Charles Barkley loved her and got to meet her. She ended up throwing the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs game.
She is, in short, the best.
And she’s 101 years old!
But in 2021, it’s not quite as easy for her to travel to Indianapolis to be there with the team. From the Chicago Tribune:
COVID-19 restrictions limit the number of fans and the size of team travel parties at the NCAA Tournament, which will be held entirely in and around Indianapolis this year to help reduce the potential for virus spread. Although Sister Jean has been vaccinated, other safety and logistical concerns exist.
“They said there’s restrictions,” she said. “You can’t run down on the court. You can’t talk to the young men. I said, ’I’m not going to run down on the court, and I’m not going to cause any disturbance.’ I said, ‘I won’t do things I’m not supposed to.’”
We’re still awaiting word to see if Sister Jean will attend, but you can imagine even if she’s with the squad virtually or in person, she will have her presence felt. And we can’t wait.
