LOYOLA BASKETBALL CHAPLAIN WILL RECEIVE EXTRAORDINARY CHARACTER AWARD AT NATIONAL EVENT CELEBRATING SPORTSMANSHIP IN AMERICA
2018 MUSIAL AWARDS TICKETS ON SALE TOMORROW
ST. LOUIS – July 17, 2018 – She defines what it means to be a good sport. Thrust into the national spotlight during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Sister Jean Delores Schmidt handled her newfound fame with class, grace, humor and humility. Her wit and wisdom captured the hearts of fans across the nation.
In recognition of the graciousness and positive spirit she exuded throughout March Madness – and the kindness and selflessness she has exemplified throughout her life, the 98-year-old chaplain of the Loyola men’s basketball team will be honored at the 2018 Musial Awards. She will receive the prestigious Musial Award for Extraordinary Character at the event in St. Louis on Nov. 17.
The Musial Awards – presented by Maryville University – celebrate the year’s greatest moments of sportsmanship and the biggest names in sports who embody class and character. The national event and its awards are named for Stan Musial, the late St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer who was the ultimate good sport. Produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the National Sportsmanship Foundation, the awards show takes place annually at Stifel Theatre (formerly Peabody Opera House) in Downtown St. Louis.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to honor Sister Jean,” said St. Louis Sports Commission President Frank Viverito. “With the Musial Awards, we aim to inspire people across the nation to be good sports. Sister Jean did exactly that through the joy she brought and the way she embraced her sudden celebrity. She personifies the virtues we celebrate – not to mention the qualities for which Stan The Man was known.”
Sister Jean has been a sister in the religious order of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary for 81 years. She has been part of the Loyola community since 1961 and became the chaplain of the men’s basketball team in 1994. In the role, she provides everything from scouting reports to valuable life lessons, making her a beloved member of the Loyola family.
Her national stardom coincided with the Ramblers’ magical run last March, which started in St. Louis when the team won the Missouri Valley Conference championship. An 11th seed entering the NCAA Tournament, Loyola pulled off four straight upsets to reach the Final Four. Along the way, Sister Jean became a media darling and college basketball sensation. But she never let the crush of media attention get to her or let age slow her down. Through it all, she maintained her smile, humble nature and sense of humor. When asked during the tournament about her new national fame, Sister Jean jokingly replied, “Really, if I can correct you, international.”
At the Musial Awards, Sister Jean will be honored among several individuals recognized for extraordinary displays of sportsmanship that represent the best in sports and humanity. The full lineup of honorees will be announced in October with individual announcements made in the preceding weeks.
Past Musial Award recipients include golf legend Arnold Palmer, six-time Olympic medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Baseball Hall of Famers Joe Torre and Cal Ripken Jr., women’s basketball star Tamika Catchings, NASCAR champion driver Carl Edwards, and sportscaster Ernie Johnson.
Showtime for the 2018 Musial Awards is 7:30 p.m.
MUSIAL AWARDS TICKETS:
Tickets for the 2018 Musial Awards go on sale at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, July 18). Tickets range from $10 to $50 and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, in person at the Stifel Theatre box office and all Ticketmaster ticket centers, or by phone at 800-745-3000.
The Musial Awards also offers an Honoree Circle ticket, which includes prime seating, access to the Musial Awards After Party and reserved parking for $100. Honoree Circle tickets and event sponsorships can be purchased at MusialAwards.com/tickets or by calling 314-345-5111.
TELEVISION SPECIAL:
In addition to the live awards show on Nov. 17, the Musial Awards will air as a primetime one-hour television special in December on KSDK-TV Channel 5, St. Louis’ NBC affiliate, with potential syndication in other markets. Past Musial Awards broadcasts have been recognized with eight Mid-America Emmy Awards, five Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, and the Associated Press Award for best TV sports story.
MORE ON THE MUSIALS:
The Musial Awards – presented by Maryville University – takes place annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving at the historic 3,000-seat Stifel Theatre in Downtown St. Louis. The show is produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the National Sportsmanship Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. In addition to keeping alive the legacy of Stan The Man, the mission of the Musial Awards is to encourage selflessness, integrity and civility in sports and society – and to inspire people across the nation to be good sports.
This marks the 13th year the Musial Awards has taken place in St. Louis. Since 2011, Maryville University has served as the event’s presenting sponsor. The school’s involvement, leadership and generosity have helped make the show one of the great nights in sports.