Loyola Chicago achieved a heart-stopping victory against Cleveland State on Monday night, propelled by a last-second three-pointer from Deywilk Tavarez. This game marked the Ramblers” first official contest since the passing of their beloved chaplain, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, who died at the age of 106 last month.
After the game, Coach Drew Valentine expressed a profound sense of Sister Jean”s presence during the match, stating, “It”s definitely not the same but we know she was with us tonight.” The Ramblers celebrated her legacy by wearing a special patch on their uniforms throughout the season. Sister Jean had been a fixture with the team since 1994, providing support for over three decades.
Her fame soared during Loyola Chicago”s remarkable run to the Final Four in 2018, where she even held a press conference that drew a crowd so large that some attendees were left standing in the hallways. The impact she had extended beyond the basketball court, as she garnered friendships from celebrities and politicians alike; President Biden famously sent her flowers.
A funeral mass was held in Chicago last month, where hundreds gathered to pay their respects following her death. For Coach Valentine, the absence of Sister Jean is palpable. He noted that her pregame pep talks and sideline advice were integral to the team”s routine, saying, “Not seeing Sister Jean there when walking off the court, it”s definitely something that”s going to take time to get used to.”
In the game itself, Loyola Chicago initially struggled after relinquishing a 10-point lead in the second half. Cleveland State”s Dayan Nessah managed to tie the game at 88-88 with a layup just 10 seconds before the final buzzer. However, in a thrilling twist, Tavarez, who contributed 16 points, made a clutch three-pointer from the corner with only 0.5 seconds remaining, sealing the Ramblers” 91-88 victory.
With the home crowd erupting in celebration, Valentine credited Sister Jean for the last-minute success, stating, “She had to be praying for those shots to go in at the end.” The win serves as both a tribute to Sister Jean”s enduring influence and a promising start to the season for the Ramblers.
