Some patients and families in the NICU at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital recently got to visit with basketball star Caitlin Clark and Fever Assistant Coach Tully Bevilaqua.

The two toured the NICU earlier this month, during which time they visited with babies and their families, took pictures, signed autographs, gave away basketballs, and more.

For Clark, this was her first time in a neonatal intensive care unit, where babies receive care until they are physically able to go home with their parents.

She said, “A first for everything and it definitely won’t be my last.” As a mother, Bevilaqua celebrated the “strength” of the parents whose children are currently undergoing treatment.

Her son was even born at the Ascension St. Vincent Hospital – where the Children’s Hospital is also based.

Stephan Masoncup, Chief Strategy Officer of ASV Indiana, explained, “The alignment [with the Pacers and Fever] when it comes to community involvement…is something that both organizations hold dear.”

Ascension’s new Women and Infants Hospital is expected to open this Fall.