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Sister Jean and Loyola Basketball Get Their Moment at the Illinois Capitol

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NPR Illinois
Governor Rauner poses with members of the Loyola men's basketball team, Coach Porter Moser, and Sister Jean.

Illinois lawmakers recognized some special guests in the chambers Wednesday: Sister Jean Delores Schmidt and a few of the Loyola Ramblers.

The Loyola Ramblers busted a lot of brackets and captured the hearts of many when the men’s basketball team, as an 11 seed, made it all the way to the Final Four in the NCAA March Madness tournament.
But this Cinderella team wasn’t the only story… Sister Jean, the 98-year-old team chaplain, earned fandom by praying for Loyola and their opponents before each game. A tradition she continued at the Capitol…  

“May all that is done this day and every day be done for your honor and glory. Amen. And go Ramblers!”

Coach Porter Moser spoke on the House floor… recognizing the team’s accomplishments on and off the court.

“At Loyola we are tied with Harvard for the number one graduation rate in the country academically in the athletic department.  I can see Sister right now clenching her fists because I said that one time and she corrected me. She said, no Porter. Harvard’s tied with us.”

Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, Democrats from Chicago, both received their law degrees from Loyola University.

 

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