John Carroll High School on Lakeshore Parkway in Birmingham broke ground Thursday, Jan. 16, on $2.7 million in upgrades to Pat Sullivan Field, paid for by the John Carroll Excellence in Athletics Foundation.

The project, expected to be finished by August, will include the conversion of Pat Sullivan Field from natural grass to synthetic turf, installation of a six-lane running track, shot-put and high-jump facilities, updated stadium lighting and fencing and installation of a video scoreboard.

“Our mission is the wholistic education of our students in mind, body and spirit, in a Christ-centered environment,” said Principal Ronald Steele.

The John Carroll Catholic High School Excellence in Athletics Foundation was established in 2023 by alumni, their families and the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham.

The athletic field is named for former Auburn University All-American quarterback and 1971 Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan, who graduated from John Carroll in 1968. Sullivan later played in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, was head football coach at Samford University from 2007 to 2014 and offensive coordinator at UAB from 1999-2006. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991. Sullivan died in 2019. He was 69.

“Our school is growing and building on its strong 78-year heritage in the Birmingham region,” said the Rev. Jon Chalmers, president of the school. “We are continually investing in our operations, curriculum and Catholic mission.”