Shannon Ryan

Shannon Ryan is a former Chicago Tribune sports writer.

Sister Jean has a hearty laugh in her office on the campus of Loyola University in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago on Feb. 8, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, beloved nun who inspired Loyola’s NCAA Tournament runs, dies at 106

October 10, 2025 at 5:47 p.m.

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the longtime chaplain of the Loyola men's basketball team who became a national sports icon, died Thursday. She was 106.

Chicago Sky principal owner Michael Alter, left, embraces coach and GM James Wade, after a news conference on Nov. 13, 2018.

‘Such a validating and exciting endorsement:’ Q&A with Chicago Sky owner Michael Alter on bringing in Candace Parker and the WNBA’s growth — and possible expansion

June 20, 2021 at 1:57 p.m.

When businessman Michael Alter became principal owner of the then-new Chicago Sky, colleagues and friends often questioned his decision. "All the time," he said in a recent interview with the...

Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman watches the Illini take on North Carolina A&T on Nov. 25, 2020, in Champaign.

Is Illinois ice hockey still in the works? Are athletes required to get vaccinated? 4 takeaways from AD Josh Whitman’s annual roundtable.

June 17, 2021 at 12:38 a.m.

Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman hit on a range of topics — from financial implications of COVID-19 to athletic department vaccination rates to a possible restart on developing an ice...

Illinois announces plan to welcome full capacity at Memorial Stadium for 2021 season — and a bump in ticket sales

June 13, 2021 at 2:08 p.m.

Illinois football announced Friday that it will open the 2021 season at full capacity after a season without fans for Big Ten football games because of COVID-19 protocols. The Illini...

Derrick Gragg speaks during a press conference announcing his new position as Northwestern athletic director at Ryan Fieldhouse on June 7, 2021.

Derrick Gragg is introduced as athletic director at Northwestern — which got a 2nd chance at the wish-list candidate after a month of turmoil

June 8, 2021 at 12:24 p.m.

As Northwestern searched for an athletic director to fill the role Jim Phillips held for more than a decade, Derrick Gragg's name came up as a wish-list candidate. When the...

The Northwestern Wildcats take the field Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 in the Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Derrick Gragg is Northwestern’s new athletic director, taking over the role weeks after Mike Polisky’s resignation

June 6, 2021 at 1:25 p.m.

Northwestern has hired NCAA administrator Derrick Gragg as its new athletic director. Gragg was named senior vice president for inclusion, education and community engagement for the NCAA in August 2020...

Chicago Sky center Stefanie Dolson takes a shot against the Washington Mystics on May 15, 2021, in Washington.

Stefanie Dolson is back with the Chicago Sky — and hopes to help them end their losing streak — after helping the U.S. 3-on-3 national team qualify for the Olympics

June 4, 2021 at 8:58 p.m.

While in Austria for Olympic qualifying, Stefanie Dolson couldn't catch most Chicago Sky games live because of the time difference, so she typically watched the following day. She watched from...

A spectator holds up a sign as thousands of runners participate in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Chicago. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

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Regresa el Maratón de Chicago que espera 35,000 corredores

June 3, 2021 at 4:27 p.m.

Después de calles vacías en 2020, el Maratón de Chicago está programado para reanudarse el 10 de octubre. Los responsables de la carrera anunciaron el jueves por la mañana que...

Marathon participants make their way down past the Chicago Theatre during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2019.

Chicago Marathon expecting 35K runners this year — with some COVID-19 safety measures — after last year’s event went virtual

June 3, 2021 at 10:01 p.m.

After empty streets in 2020, the Chicago Marathon is scheduled to resume on Oct. 10. Race officials announced Thursday morning the marathon expects to register 35,000 participants and with some...

Chicago Sky forward/center Candace Parker cheers on teammates in the first quarter against the New York Liberty on May 23, 2021, at Wintrust Arena.

Chicago Sky lose their 5th straight on a 3-point buzzer-beater as Candace Parker sits out again with a lingering ankle sprain

June 2, 2021 at 1:05 p.m.

Chicago Sky coach James Wade said he wanted to see a sense of urgency and confidence from his players to believe they could win even with a limited roster and...

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