Former soccer star Landon Donovan, who led the San Jose Earthquakes to a pair of MLS Cup championships, will be inducted along with four other South Bay sports legends as part of the 2025 class of the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame on Nov. 6.
The San Jose Sports Authority will mark the 30th anniversary of the hall of fame during ceremonies at the SAP Center.
Donovan transformed the Earthquakes into MLS champions as a 19-year-old and went on to become a three-time World Cup star, a six-time MLS Cup champ and one of the most decorated players in U.S. soccer history.
He’ll be entering the hall along with former Oak Grove High football coach Eddie Buller, rugby pioneer Todd Clever, wrestling star Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston and longtime San Jose Giants executive Mark Wilson.
Buller turned Oak Grove into a football power, leading the Eagles to a 214-39-3 record, 18 league titles and five Central Coast Section championships while helping produce numerous collegiate and pro football players. Clever, a Santa Teresa High alum known as “Captain America,” is the most-capped U.S. player with 76 appearances. He was named American Rugby Player of the Decade.
Johnston, an Independence High grad, made history as the first American to win a World Medal in Women’s Freestyle Wrestling. She later become an Olympic coach, where she led the U.S. to the Gold medal in 2016. Wilson has spent 38 years with the San Jose Giants, including three decades as their general manager. He’s a two-time California League Executive of the Year.
“San Jose’s incredibly rich and diverse sports history makes the Hall of Fame selection process very difficult each year,” said Charlie Faas, Chairman of the San Jose Sports Authority Board of Directors. “We are excited to welcome these five remarkable individuals into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame.”
In addition to the Class of 2025 Inductees, the November ceremony features the best athletes of the year from Santa Clara County high schools, universities and the Special Olympics.
The 2025 San Jose Sports Hall of Fame Honorees are:
• 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
