Game 4 sweepstakes winners share gratitude for once-in-a-lifetime experience

Over 250 people participated in IU Health Foundation’s Game 4 ticket sweepstakes on June 10 raising more than $30,000 collectively. Though their team fell short, the attendees still felt lucky to be there.

When Marie Deveau-Rogers received the call that she was the winner, she immediately video-called her husband Tyler to share the news.

“We’re both born and raised in Indy,” Deveau said. “We’re Pacers fans, but my husband is diehard. He could tell you every stat about every player. He knows everything about them. He was in disbelief, just beyond excited. The rest of Thursday and Friday, I just couldn’t focus on anything.”

IU Health ICU nurse Dawn Horvath was the other winner. She brought her son Xavier, a rising high school sophomore. “I was buzzing with excitement when I heard the news,” Horvath said. “What an absolute thrill to be there for such an epic game!”

Both winners said being in the building for the game was surreal.

“I kept thinking, ‘I can’t believe I’m here,’” Deveau said. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I guarantee, I’ll never get to go to another final in the stadium.”

Deveau is no stranger to supporting IU Health – she helped recruit nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. These days, she works as a Talent Manager at Elevate Ventures right next door to the stadium. “It was awesome to see the sweepstakes raise more than $30,000 in 12 hours,” she said. “It’s a win-win, going toward a great cause. Working right there, I’ve been so swept up in this playoff run. I’m so grateful I could go to the game.”