SAP Center hosted the 30th anniversary of the San Jose Sports Authority Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Inductees ceremony. Honoring three decades of South Bay sports legends by inducting five new members on Thursday, November 6th, 2025 (photo by Vince Cestone Sports Radio Service)
By Michael Villanueva
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The honorees come from the top levels of high school, collegiate, professional, Olympic, and international sports. Though they come from diverse sports and eras, they have had a long-lasting impact on and off the field.
Each inductee was presented with a bronze plaque permanently put on the concourse at the SAP Center in San Jose. Including the 2025 inductees, 136 South Bay sports heroes were inducted into the Hall. The yearly induction is organized by the San Jose Sports Authority, the San Jose Arena Authority, SAP Center Management/San Jose Sharks, and the City of San José. The event benefited Special Olympics Northern California and high school athletic programs.
The San Jose Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 inductees were:
Eddie “Ed” Buller (football): Coach Buller took over Oak Grove football in 1983 and coached the Eagles to a 214-39-3 record, 18 conference titles, and five CCS championships. He built one of the most successful programs in CCS history, developing numerous collegiate and professional players. Buller, a Leland High School graduate, took over Oak Grove’s varsity squad in 1983 and led the Eagles to the CCS Division I championship game in his first season. During a three-year layoff in the early 1990s, Buller joined San Jose State’s coaching staff and helped the Spartans win two Big West championships and a California Raisin Bowl.
Todd Clever (Rugby): Known as “Captain America,” Todd Clever began his rugby career at Santa Teresa High School, A two-time High School All-American and three-time College All-American at the University of Nevada, Reno, he went on a spectacular 15-year professional rugby career that encompassed New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, and England before eventually returning to the United States. Also eventually became the most decorated player for the United States Eagles, with 76 matches. He was the first American to play and score in Super Rugby, having won three Rugby World Cups and been named American Rugby Player of the Decade.
Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston (Wrestling): The Independence High School wrestler made history by being the first American to win a World Medal in Women’s Freestyle Wrestling. Roshanzamir Johnston was born in Iran and learned to wrestle through her father. After fleeing unstable politics, her family relocated to San Jose, where she became the first female wrestler in Santa Clara County history, competing on the boys’ varsity team at Independence High. In 1989, at the age of 18, she became a member of the first-ever U.S. Women’s Freestyle World Team, marking the country’s first participation in a World Championship.
Johnston went on to win a World Medal and several National Championships before becoming an Olympic coach and winning Gold in 2016.
Landon Donovan (Soccer): At the age of 19, Donovan helped the San Jose Earthquakes become MLS champions, winning two MLS Cups. He won six MLS Cups, was a three-time World Cup star, and was named to the MLS Best XI seven times. He is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished players in American soccer history. Donovan’s influence reached far beyond the Bay Area. On the international scene, he was a generational talent, appearing in three World Cups and guiding the United States to the quarterfinals in 2002, when he was voted FIFA’s Best Young Player. He also won four CONCACAF Gold Cups and retired as the all-time best scorer for the United States men’s national team, with 57 goals.
Mark Wilson (Baseball): After 38 years with the San Jose Giants, including three decades as General Manager, Wilson was named two-time California League Executive of the Year and received the Bowie Kuhn Award. He introduced fan favorites, including Beer Batter and the iconic mascot Gigante, earning him a spot among the league’s 150 most important figures. In 2021, the Giants recognized Wilson’s exceptional career by retiring his jersey number—#38—a distinction shared by only one other individual in franchise history.
In addition to the Class of 2025 Inductees, the November ceremony honored the top athletes of the year from Santa Clara County high schools, universities, and the Special Olympics.
The 2025 San Jose Sports Hall of Fame Honorees included:
High School Athletes of the Year
- Quinten Marsh, Valley Christian High School – Baseball
- Nicole Steiner, Los Gatos High School – Volleyball, Basketball, Track & Field
Amateur Athletes of the Year
- Nick Nash, San Jose State University – Football
- Emilia Sjöstrand, San Jose State University – Track & Field
Special Olympian of the Year
- Michael Aguilar, Special Olympics Northern California
As the night came to an end, Mayor Matt Mahan took the stage to thank everyone in attendance for recognizing San Jose’s great sporting tradition. He acknowledged this year’s inductees, expressing optimism for the city’s sporting future and serving as a reminder that the spirit of competitiveness and community lives on in San Jose.
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