On Tuesday, July 12, the John Carroll Catholic High School (JCCHS) campus on Lakeshore Parkway welcomed The World Games 2022 sport, Flying Disc. While months of work and preparation have gone into making this event a first-class opportunity for the athletes and the spectators, the vision and man-power needed to bring The World Games 2022 to Birmingham has even deeper John Carroll roots.

It was John Carroll graduate, Former Mayor William Bell (‘67), who led a group of community and business leaders to create a plan and submit a bid to the International World Games Association (IWGA). The plan was accepted by the IWSA in 2015, beating out Lima, Peru and UFA (Russia) for the rights to host in 2020. The 2020 games were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually being rescheduled for July 2022. As a part of the preparation for the games, Mayor Bell was a part of a delegation that traveled to Wroclaw, Poland to watch and learn from the host of the 2017 World Games.

Another alumni who has been involved in planning for The World Games 2022 is Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato (‘70). Mayor Brocato’s city will be hosting one of the most anticipated events, softball, at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex.

The city expects great fan attendance for the event, and the city will certainly share in the excitement and economic benefits derived from the 10 days of competition.

Mayor Brocato took part in the kick-off of games by walking alongside other city dignitaries who carried the official flags into Protective Stadium during the Opening Ceremony. Mayor Brocato’s wife, Frances Rosato Brocato, is also a 1970 Cavalier graduate.

Recent members of the John Carroll community will recognize Nick Seller’s name. Sellers is CEO of The World Games 2022. As an Alabama Power executive, he is on loan from the company to serve as CEO. His wife, Julie Cahill Sellers, is a 1989 graduate from JCCHS. The two have been actively involved at John Carroll, serving on various committees. Sellers was also instrumental in helping to start the Jr. Cavs football team, which eventually became the John Carroll middle school football program. The Sellers three children are also JCCHS alumni. Annie Sellers graduated in 2016, Maria Sellers in 2018, and Nicholas Sellers in 2021.

John Carroll is excited to be a part of such an historic event in Birmingham’s history, but, more importantly, the school congratulates the Cavaliers who have helped make The World Games 2022 a reality for their vision, dedication. and support.