COLUMBUS SPORTS
COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD

Mekka Don is an entrepreneur, lawyer, hip-hop artist, brand consultant, and former Ohio State football player. An active partner of the 2nd & 7 Foundation, Mekka Don is committed to inspiring underserved youth through messages of sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, and maintaining a great attitude. Through his song “Buckle Up”, Mekka Don launched a powerful cultural movement tied to Ohio State football that inspired pride, unity, and motivation among students, athletes, and fans alike. The anthem has become more than music - it’s served as a rallying cry for young people striving to reach their goals, often used by teams and organizations to energize and connect communities around sports. Mekka Don frequently speaks to student-athletes across the country, particularly at the high school and collegiate level, sharing his journey as a former Ohio State football player, lawyer, and artist. His messages promote education, discipline, and dreaming big.

Steve Furniss has been at the Capital University basketball scorer's table for the better part of 40 years. Starting off as a shot clock operator in Alumni Gymnasium, he eventually took over as the Official Scorer for both the men's and women's basketball teams – a role he still holds today. Steve has been on the scorer's table for several high-level events on Capital's campus as well as in the Central Ohio area. As a shot clock operator, he was a part of the 1994 NCAA DIII Women's Basketball Tournament and the 1995 NCAA DIII Women's Basketball National Championship hosted by Capital. From there, he worked as the Official Scorer for the 2016 NCAA DIII Women's Basketball Final Four, the 2021 NCAA DII Elite Eight, Final Four and National Championship, and the 2024 NCAA DIII Women's Basketball Final Four and National Championship. Additionally, he was the Standby Official Scorer for the 2018 NCAA DI Final Four and National Championship hosted by Ohio State.

Steve did not only make his career scoring basketball, but has also poured in plenty of time officiating both basketball and football. He was a football official at the high school and collegiate level for 18 years and after retiring, became an Evaluator and eventually the Coordinator of Football Officials for the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). Steve also became the Coordinator of Officials for the Ohio Capital Conference (OCC). He also officiated high school basketball for 16 years.

Further, Steve was also on the scorers table at Groveport Madison for several years, first as the game clock operator and later as the Official Scorer at home and away games. Additionally, he has been the Official Scorer for multiple Ohio High School basketball invitationals and tournaments at the district and regional level.

Steve and his wife Rita – who serves as the "Official Table Mom" for Capital Basketball – have two daughters, Stephanie Rich (Keith) and Lindsay Harter (Melvin), and five grandchildren. They reside in Reynoldsburg. When away from the game before his retirement, Steve worked for TS Tech America, a Tier 1 Supplier for Honda, where he specialized in facility construction and start-up, facility management, plant management and corporate management. Steve is entering year 41 with Capital basketball in the 2025-26 season.

Dante Garcia is a passionate community leader, coach, and mentor whose work with Columbus Futsal is transforming how people connect through sport. A lifelong advocate for access and inclusion, Dante believes that futsal is more than a game—it’s a vehicle for connection, creativity, and culture.

Through his leadership with Columbus Futsal, Dante has helped expand free-to-play programs, school partnerships, and community events that bring the sport to hundreds of community members across Columbus each year. From organizing neighborhood futsal pickup games and school clinics to mentoring aspiring coaches, he consistently bridges the gap between grassroots play and personal development. Dante’s impact reaches far beyond the court. His programs emphasize integrity, impact, and belonging—values that inspire young athletes to see themselves as future leaders both in sport and in life. Under his guidance, Columbus Futsal’s outreach has introduced futsal to new audiences across the city, creating safe, engaging spaces for residents to play, learn, and grow together.

As a Community Champion nominee, Dante represents the heart of what Columbus sports can be: unifying, empowering, and transformative. His dedication to youth and community development continues to shape a stronger, more connected Columbus through the universal language of futsal which is played all over the world. From founding the Columbus Futsal organization initially with grassroots play to national level player identification and international training camps, Dante has 20 years of experience in the industry, working throughout our city and representing Columbus around the world.

Columbus Futsal hosts free play for youth and adults at several locations around Columbus April - October, hosts the legendary Founder’s Cup each June celebrating Columbus Futsal’s origin game, futsal leagues and tournaments, camps and clinics with other local organizations, as well as developing high-level future player prospects through the Columbus Futsal Academy.

Dante graduated from Upper Arlington High School, attended the University of Rio Grande, played second division soccer in Peru, and professional futsal in the United States. He resides in Columbus with his wife and four children.