Growing Character Through Success — and Adversity
2025 Finneytown Hall of Fame Inductee Jason Gardner
A standout in three sports, Jason Gardner graduated in 2000 from FHS as one of the school’s most celebrated athletes. Naturally, he cherishes those years. And yet, the FHS experiences that most built his character involved adversity as much as athletic prowess.
For starters, the 1998 FHS football team, which Jason captained, lost every game – despite averaging more than 30 points a game. For many, that would be a career ender. Not for Jason and his teammates. “We couldn’t get over the hump,” he said. “Tough loss after tough loss, and the team continued to show up. We kept fighting, and we learned how to battle through adversity. There were about 45 players on that team, and some very successful people who came out of that experience. I have told this story a bunch of times throughout my coaching career.”
It became part of a tale of two sports seasons. Because after that football season ended, Jason helped to lead the FHS basketball team through the memorable 1998-1999 campaign, winning sectional and district titles while finishing 18-7 as the regional runner-up. “We went to the ‘Elite 8’ that season,” recalled Jason, who earned first-team, all-city honors in basketball during his junior and senior years. “We were a great team. We trusted and played for each other. We hung out outside of basketball. We had fun!”
These were heady days for tiny Finneytown. Wherever the Wildcats played, the community showed up in droves – whether on the school’s home court, or later in the season during tournament play at University of Dayton and Wright State University. “The most rewarding part was seeing our community come together,” said Jason, who grew up on Hempstead Drive, a short stroll from the high school. “The crowd sizes that season were unbelievable. What a great time to see everyone happy and enjoying the success.”
That winning spirit continued into the next fall when the 1999 football team, again captained by Jason, staged a comeback, going 6-4 for the first winning football season at FHS in a quarter century. Then, after a heart-breaking loss, the team failed to reach the playoffs. Again, adversity led to personal growth. “The ability to persevere and work through adversity was one of the greatest experiences we could have to prepare us for the real world,” Jason said.
Jason’s resume of athletic awards for football, basketball, and baseball during his FHS years runs as long as Winton Road. Among his achievements: A marksman from the three-point line, he set a school record for three-point scores in a FHS basketball season with 66. He also earned numerous academic and athletic awards from the Cincinnati Hills League (CHL).
After graduation, Jason played sports for two years at Mount St. Joseph University, but soon he felt the call to coach. “I made my way back to Finneytown and coached basketball and football from 2002 to 2008,” he said. Among the boys that Jason coached, he grew close to Chevis Jackson, an outstanding running back on the football team. Then, on April 4, 2006, the unthinkable happened when Chevis was killed. “I wanted to help give Chevis a great experience that I was fortunate to have growing up,” Jason said. “When his life was cut short, it definitely was a tough time in my life, but I realized I was given that opportunity to spend time with him for a reason. He (Chevis) helped me become a better version of myself.”
After graduating college in 2004, Jason began his career at Gold Medal Products in Evendale, where he is a sales manager. He considers his greatest achievement to be his marriage to his high school sweetheart, Ashley, and in raising their three kids. He coaches 3rd and 6th grade boys at Kings Local School District. “I spend a lot of time working with and developing our youth,” he said. “It is definitely a very enjoyable time right now to coach and spend time with my kids, and their friends and families.”
And at the same time, Jason’s connection to Finneytown remains very strong, including his efforts with the Mark Hawkins Alumni Basketball Game and involvement in the Finneytown Alumni Network. “Being born and raised in Finneytown is truly special to me,” he said. “I love everything about the upbringing I had in our community. I am thankful for the upbringing I experienced, and I can’t imagine there was a better place to do that – than Finneytown!”
🎉 Join us at the Legacy Celebration!
Come celebrate Jason Gardner’s induction into the Finneytown Hall of Fame at The Grove on September 27th. Don’t miss this special night of community, legacy, and pride!
