San Jose Sports Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2025

SJSHOF CLASS OF 2024 / DETAILED BIOS

Eddie “Ed” Buller – Few coaches have left a mark on Bay Area high school football quite like Eddie Buller. Over 23 seasons at the helm of Oak Grove High School’s football program, Eddie Buller built one of the most consistent powerhouses in Central Coast Section (CCS) history. Buller led the Eagles to 214 wins, 18 league titles, and five CCS championships, cementing his legacy as one of California’s elite prep coaches. A graduate of Leland High School, Buller took over Oak Grove’s varsity team in 1983 and guided the Eagles to the CCS Division I title game in his first year. Known for his tactical mind and ability to connect with players, Buller kept Oak Grove in championship contention year after year. During a three-year break in the early ’90s, Buller joined San Jose State’s coaching staff, helping the Spartans capture two Big West championships and a California Raisin Bowl title. He returned to Oak Grove in 1994, resuming his post and continuing to build on the program’s winning tradition. His final section title came in 2007 with a commanding win over Gilroy in the Open Division championship. He later served as Oak Grove’s athletic director until 2017, shaping the school’s broader sports culture for over three decades. In 2019, Oak Grove named its football field “Ed Buller Field,” honoring Buller’s lasting impact on players and the community.

Todd Clever – Known as Captain America, holds the record as the most capped USA Eagles player with 100 appearances—76 with the USA 15s team and 24 with the USA 7s team. He began his rugby journey in San Jose at College Park RFC, primarily composed of Bellarmine students, although Todd attended Santa Teresa High School. A two-time High School All-American and three-time College All-American at the University of Nevada, Reno, he embarked on a remarkable 15-year professional rugby career that spanned New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, and England, before ultimately returning to the United States. Clever earned a record 100 appearances, with 76 of those with the 15s a-side team (including 53 as captain), and 24 tournament appearances for the USA 7s a-side team. He proudly represented the USA in both the Sevens and Fifteens Rugby World Cups in 2003 (Australia), 2005 (Hong Kong), 2007 (France), 2009 (Dubai), and 2011 (New Zealand). Often seen with his trademark hair flying behind him, Todd was not just about stats and accolades; he was a pioneer. Signing professional contracts in New
Zealand, South Africa, Japan, England and a triumphant return to the States with Major League Rugby. Off the field, Todd has given back by serving on the USA Rugby Board of Directors, and pursuing his passion through the Todd Clever Foundation, which unites the rugby community by providing opportunities for athletes, coaches and teams.

Landon Donovan – Before Landon Donovan became one of the most decorated figures in American soccer, he arrived in San Jose as a teenager with something to prove. Just 19 years old and freshly loaned from Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen, Donovan joined the Earthquakes in 2001 and ignited a renaissance for soccer in the United States. With blistering pace and an uncanny ability to find the net, Donovan electrified Spartan Stadium and turned the Earthquakes into champions almost overnight. In his first three MLS seasons, he led San Jose to two league titles (2001 and 2003), delivered the franchise’s first hat trick, and became a face of the league before his 22nd birthday. Donovan’s influence extended far beyond the Bay Area. On the international stage, he was a generational talent—starring in three World Cups and helping the U.S. reach the quarterfinals in 2002, where he was named FIFA’s Best Young Player. He lifted four CONCACAF Gold Cups and retired as the all-time leading scorer in U.S. men’s national team history with 57 goals. In MLS, his legacy was etched into the record books with 145 goals, 136 assists, six league championships, and an MVP award. In 2015, the league honored his transformative impact by renaming its Most Valuable Player award the Landon Donovan MVP Award.

Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston – Born in Iran, Roshanzamir Johnston was introduced to wrestling through her father. After fleeing political unrest, her family resettled in San Jose, where she would become the first female wrestler in Santa Clara County history, competing on the boys varsity team at Independence High School. In 1989, at just 18 years old, she made the inaugural U.S. Women’s
Freestyle World Team—the first time the United States fielded a women’s team at a World Championships. Competing at 47 kg (103.5 lbs), she won bronze, becoming the first American woman to medal at a Women’s Wrestling World Championship. One year later, she added a silver medal to her resume at the 1990 World Championships. Over the course of her competitive career, Roshanzamir Johnston made four U.S. World Teams, won three U.S. Open national titles, and earned international medals in France, Russia, and Canada. She also wrestled collegiately as a member of the UC Davis men’s varsity team—a rare feat that underscored her relentless drive. After retiring from competition in 2000—two years before women’s wrestling was added to the Olympic Games—she continued to shape the sport. She served on USA Wrestling committees and its Board of Directors, then returned to the world stage as a coach. In 2016, she helped guide Team USA’s women to their first-ever Olympic gold medal finish in Rio de Janeiro.

Mark Wilson – A fixture in the fabric of South Bay baseball, Mark Wilson dedicated 38 years to shaping the San Jose Giants organization at every level. Beginning his journey as an intern during the San Jose Bees era in 1984, Wilson steadily worked his way through roles before assuming the GM mantle in 1990. Under his strategic leadership, the Giants earned the John H. Johnson Award in 2009 as the most complete Minor League franchise and captured Bob Freitas Awards in both 1990 and 2009 as the top Class A Advanced organization. Individually, Wilson was celebrated as California League Executive of the Year twice (1995 and 2009), and in 2014 he received the Bowie Kuhn Award for exemplary support of the Baseball Chapel program. That same year, the Giants took home the Larry MacPhail Award for creativity in promotions—one of the highest honors for marketing excellence in Minor League Baseball. Under Wilson’s stewardship, the San Jose Giants amassed six California League titles (1998, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010), contributing to the development of over 190 major league players. His promotional ingenuity—from the wildly popular “Beer Batter” game to elaborate fireworks displays—helped define the fan experience at Excite Ballpark. In 2021, the Giants honored Wilson’s extraordinary career by retiring his jersey number—#38—a distinction held by only one other person in franchise history.

ABOUT THE SAN JOSE SPORTS AUTHORITY

The San Jose Sports Authority is a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the City of San Jose’s economic development, visibility, and civic pride through sports. Serving as the City’s sports commission since its inception in 1991, the Sports Authority has provided leadership and support to attract and host hundreds of sporting events in San Jose and the South Bay. The Sports Authority also supports and operates community, youth and amateur sports programs, including the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame and the REACH Youth Scholarship Program. To learn more, visit www.sjsa.org.