By Marc R. Masferrer, University Communications and Marketing
An NFL stadium became 5-year-old Scarlett Bhatia’s field of dreams come true, thanks to her extended family at the University of South Florida.
Scarlett, a lifelong Colts fan recovering from cancer, traveled with her parents Jon and Hayli and 2-year-old sister Juliette, to Indianapolis last week for the Colts’ game against the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 20. Jon Bhatia is a USF alum and U.S. Army veteran who formerly worked in the Office of Veteran Success at USF Sarasota-Manatee.
The Colts, made aware of Scarlett’s story by a friend of someone who works at USF, treated Scarlett and her family to a once-in-a-lifetime fan experience.
Scarlett Bhatia and Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Grover Stewart meet before the Colts game against Miami in Indianapolis on Oct. 20, 2024.
The Bhatias were invited to a VIP tailgating party and during pregame festivities, Scarlett, dressed in her No. 5 Colts jersey, got to walk the sideline at the Lucas Oil Stadium, met an assistant coach and several Colts players – including quarterback Anthony Richardson, who wears No. 5 – and even snagged a couple of autographs. The highlight, however, may have been when Scarlett met sports talk personality Pat McAfee.
Jon Bhatia said his daughter is a big fan.
“That moment, seeing her eyes light up and the smile on her face, was amazing but then they topped that,” he said. “They took us back behind the scenes over to the Colts cheerleaders locker room where Scarlett was told there was a surprise for her and the cheerleaders were there behind the door forming a pom-pom tunnel for her and the rest of us to walk through.”
Scarlett Bhatia visits with sports talk personality Pat McAfee before the Indianapolis Colts game in Indianapolis on Oct. 20, 2024.
When it was time for kickoff, the Bhatias were directed to their field-level seats on the 5-yard line, about 10 yards from the action.
“The Colts made my daughter feel like she was the most special person in the world,” Bhatia said.
The very special weekend for Scarlett and her family was the result of extraordinary teamwork between the Colts and several people with ties to USF. The “head coach” was Jay Riley, senior director of special projects and external affairs at USF Corporate Training and Professional Education.
Carlos Moreira, director of campus engagement for veteran success and alumni affairs at USF Sarasota-Manatee, asked Riley if he could help the family after Scarlett was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January 2023. As she recuperated, Sundays for Scarlett and her dad meant watching the family’s favorite team, the Colts, play on TV.
Cheerleaders for the Indianapolis Colts post with Scarlett Bhatia and her sister Juliette before the Colts game in Indianapolis on Oct. 20, 2024.
With her condition improved, Bhatia recently asked Riley — himself, a survior of childhood leukemia and a passionate volunteer for pedriatic cancer causes — if he could arrange “a special treat” for Scarlett and her family.
It turned out Riley has a friend in Indianapolis, Bruce McCaw, who is a close friend of Pete Ward, chief operating officer for the Colts. McCaw used his contacts with the team and elsewhere in Indianapolis to build a special itinerary for Scarlett and her family.
USF Sarasota-Manatee alumna Amelia Foxwell, paid for the family’s airfare from Tampa to Indianapolis, as well as the family’s stay at the J.W. Marriott Hotel. Both American Airlines and the hotel provided the family with gifts and special treatment.
Once there, the Bhatias received behind-the-scenes looks at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum and Indianapolis Zoo. It was a memorable weekend, topped by the chance for Scarlett to be on the field before the Colts game.
“The highlight of the trip for me was seeing the pure joy and amazement my daughter felt,” Bhatia said.
Bhatia said his family was grateful for what the Colts and everyone else did to make the trip possible.
“They showed a little girl who is fighting her toughest battle a kindness beyond belief,” he said. “I even called Jay Riley and told him I loved him for making this happen for my daughter. I also told Jay he has inspired our entire family to give back and spread the same kindness we were shown.
“We have been at a loss for words to describe how thankful we are,” Bhatia said. “It was an experience made possible by the most wonderful people I've ever had the chance to meet.”