Beyond Sister Jean-Dolores Schmidt creating massive buzz and the Cinderella team of Loyola-Chicago climbing its way into the Final Four rests a deep-rooted history of basketball and triumph for the program of the Ramblers.
Sitting courtside at the Alamodome wearing all maroon and a 1963 NCAA National championship hat of Loyola-Chicago was Jerry Harkness, who is at the Final Four to remind people of the past and live through a new chapter of history.
Fifty-five years ago this week, Harkness and Loyola-Chicago defied all odds by starting four African Americans to win the National championship over two-time defending champions Cincinnati, 60-58.