Donavon Clark (Class of 2011) was more than just a dominant force on the football field—he was a leader, a role model, and a proud product of Finneytown. From earning All-Ohio honors in high school to starting in the Rose Bowl and Cotton Bowl with Michigan State, Donavon’s journey is a story of grit, family, and heart. Though his NFL career was cut short, his legacy continues to inspire. This fall, we’re proud to induct Donavon into the Finneytown Hall of Fame.

He will be honored at the football game on August 29th and formally inducted at the Legacy Celebration on September 27th at The Grove.

Growing Character Through Success — and Adversity
2025 Finneytown Hall of Fame Inductee

A three-sport standout and 2000 FHS grad, Jason Gardner’s time at Finneytown was marked by both triumphs and challenges—from leading a winless football team that never gave up, to captaining the basketball team’s Elite 8 run and helping end a 25-year football drought with a winning season.

Today, Jason continues to give back—coaching, mentoring, and staying deeply connected to the Finneytown community. “I’m thankful for the upbringing I had here,” he says.

From the moment Rick Canter stepped onto the conductor’s podium at Finneytown in 2000, he set a new tone—one marked by excellence, community, and heart. Over his 12 years as band director, Rick helped build a music program that reached nearly a third of the student body, earned statewide recognition, and brought a sense of pride to the entire Wildcat community.

But Rick’s true legacy extends far beyond music. He instilled values—discipline, creativity, teamwork, and leadership—that his students carry with them to this day. As he’s inducted into the Finneytown Hall of Fame, we celebrate not only what he achieved but the spirit he ignited in a generation of Wildcats.

The 2024 Legacy Ceremony was a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of Finneytown’s past, present, and future. This year, we gathered to celebrate two monumental additions to the Finneytown Hall of Fame: Jan Bennett, the beloved women’s soccer coach, and the legendary 1974 men’s state soccer champions. The event was filled with heartfelt tributes, laughter, and the unmistakable sense of community that continues to define Finneytown.

As the Legacy Ceremony concluded, it was clear that the event was not just a reflection of the past but a rallying cry for the future. With the groundbreaking of the new secondary campus, Finneytown continues to build upon the foundation laid by leaders like Jan Bennett and the 1974 soccer team. Their stories serve as a reminder that greatness is possible when we come together as a community—whether on the field, in the classroom, or in life.