Ole Pappy

I’m so glad I didn’t bother to fill out brackets this year for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

First of all, I would NEVER have put Loyola-Chicago or Michigan in the final four. I might have gotten the other two: Villanova and Kansas correct.

But the real story of the tournament this year has been not only the “Cinderella” emergence of tiny Loyola-Chicago to the grand stage, but also their 98-year-old chaplain, Sister Jean Schmidt.

Everyone has been smitten by the undiminished faith she’s shown in her team, her lovable ability to enjoy the game, the way she gets a hug from each player after the game and most of all, her wonderful smile and ability to give outstanding interviews.

I’ve watched Sister Jean in interviews twice and I must admit, she gives one of the best interviews I’ve ever seen.

The lovable little old lady has turned this tournament on its ear. Fact is, Loyola-Chicago being in the final four was about as believable as Sister Jean doing sparkling interviews.

One report I read said there are Sister Jean bobbleheads out and they sold out in something like 48 hours. Apparently there is other merchandise being sold with her likeness as well.

Five thousand Sister Jean bobbleheads were sold in just 48 hours, a hall-of-fame record that goes along with all the T-shirts and socks now bearing her likeness.

My favorite statement coming in an interview came when she was asked, “Is God on Loyola-Chicago’s side?”

Her answer, “Right now, yes.” But even Sister Jean didn’t figure her team would go further than the Sweet 16. But they are still on this roller-coaster ride and Sister Jean is enjoying every bit of it.

What I like about all of this is the way this bit of humanity and religion have mixed to make a very sweet and enjoyable story.

It seems only fitting that Loyola stay on this ride to the end. For my part, I think Villanova and Kansas are the two best teams and Michigan is playing fantastic ball right now.

But as one sportscaster said, “The Sister Jean story and the Cinderella side of Loyola make great stories. But the fact is, Loyola-Chicago is a very good team and they are playing good basketball right now.” So don’t worry about picking the right team.

Throw the brackets out the window and watch the little old lady and her team make a big splash. It would be quite a story if Loyola-Chicago and Sister Jean get that big trophy at the end.

This really is a “Cinderella” story!

LAUGH A LITTLE: Too much coffee. A group of men enjoy going to the same coffee shop every day. One fellow in particular, named Sam Smith, hung around all the time. One day he walked into the coffee shop to see a certificate hanging on the wall that ready, “Employee of the Month.”

Underneath it said, “Sam Smith.” Only one thing Sam could deduce from that. “I don’t even work here. I must be drinking too much coffee,” he said.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: As my Ole Pappy used to say, “You may not be the most important person in the world. But when people say your name, if they’re smiling, that’s probably one of your friends.”

Ole Pappy was big on friendship. Maybe that’s why even the kids called him, “Dickie,” (Not Mr. Higgin, or Richard) because he was their friend.

Thanks Ole Pappy!