Sister Jean keeps the faith
Sister Jean DoloresSchmidt was waiting at the hallway door when LoyolaChicago’s frustrated, tearyeyed players left the Final Four court.
The 98-year-old nun leaned up from her wheelchair to greet each Rambler with a hug and a few consoling words a dozen gentle versions of solace, according to the players who love her.
“She said she was proud of us,” big man Cameron Krutwig said in a wavering voice. “‘Way to leave your heart out there for Loyola. Way to make a name for yourself.’ ”
Loyola-Chicago’s improbable run through the NCAA tournament ended Saturday night with a 6957 loss to mighty Michigan . Everybody’s favorite underdog team and their No. 1 fan had a 10-point lead in the second half, but couldn’t overcome a slew of late turnovers and missed shots.
The magic that made the Ramblers into national darlings was hard to remember at the Alamodome.
Sister Jean still told her players they’ll never be forgotten.
The Ramblers readily acknowledge Sister Jean has become a bigger celebrity than any player on her beloved team, and she was greeted by cheers, waves and dozens of outstretched phones when she rolled out to her seat before the semifinal. She watched the game from a platform just off the court opposite Loyola’s bench, sitting with a few fellow Ramblers fans.
Several security people stood around the small section of seats, keeping fans and gawkers at a respectful distance. Fans throughout the arena wore T-shirts reading “Win One for the Nun!” and a sign in the crowd encouraged Michigan to give obedience to “Jean’s Plan.”
XAVIER PROMOTES ASSISTANT >> Xavier stuck to custom and promoted from within to replace coach Chris Mack, hiring top assistant Travis Steele as its 18th head coach. The move came four days after Mack, the winningest coach in school history, left to coach Louisville. The 36-year-old Steele has been an assistant at Xavier for 10 seasons, including the past nine under Mack.
DIVISIONAL MAN >> Michigan’s Duncan Robinson is the first player ever to score in a Division I and a Division III men’s basketball semifinal game. Before transferring to Michigan three years ago, Robinson played at Williams College in Massachusetts. He played in the 2014 Division III semifinals.