Character Counts in the Missouri Valley Conference

(St. Louis, MO) – Despite what we often hear about ‘out of control’ college athletes, several Missouri Valley Conference teams are blessed with people that help their players develop as people and grow as men.

Loyola’s ‘Sister Jean’ is a force to be reckoned with, and Wichita State’s Steve Dickie is a vital part of what makes the Shockers successful.

Who are these ‘secret weapons’ in these successful programs.

Sister Jean

Loyolaramblers.com says this about the young lady inducted into their athletic hall of fame.

“Sr. Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM will be inducted into the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame. A fixture at Rambler men’s basketball games and other athletics contests, Sr. Jean has been an important part of the lives of many Loyola students, especially student-athletes.”

But that doesn’t tell the half of it. From her pre-game prayers, her personal involvement with players and other Loyola students, Sister Jean is part of what makes that urban campus feel like home, and she is a vital part of what makes Loyola special.

Head coach Porter Moser lauds Sister Jean’s role on the team. Broadcaster Mark Adams tells her story to all that will listen, and now she’s a hall-of-famer.

Moser says Sister Jean is a popular on campus, a huge part of the basketball program and she knows her basketball.

 

 

Adams a frequent announcer on Valley broadcasts recently made sure his twitter followers knew about Sister Jean.

 

 

Moser says her pre-game prayers please both the Lord and the crowds.

 

 

Steve Dickie

Wichita State’s version of Sister Jean is ‘character coach’ Steve Dickie. Head Coach Gregg Marshall has always had some version of a team chaplain for his teams, but Dickie prefers the ‘character coach’ title. A former Presbyterian pastor, Dickie is constantly around the Shocker players, coaches and practices.

Marshall says one of Dickie’s strengths is his ability to listen. During his sophomore year, former Shocker Fred VanVleet told Rick Plumlee of the Wichita Eagle that Dickie’s commitment to the team is encouraging.

“It means a lot to have someone there for us who doesn’t have to be,” VanVleet said. “He’s helping us grow as men.”

Marshall says Dickie, who is affiliated with Nations of Coaches, is committed to the welfare of the players and has been a long-time personal friend to the head coach.

 

 

We end each of our broadcasts with this phrase: “since you’ve been there, make it a better place.”

Sister Jean and Steve Dickie are doing just that as they encourage these coaches and players through the highs and lows of a basketball season. We applaud these coaches and universities for seeing that their team members need moral and human support.

Do Good