Sun Devil Athletics mourns the death of one of its greatest supporters and Sun Devil Club Executive Committee member Steve Butterfield. "Butter," as he was affectionately known by his friends, passed away earlier this week at the age of 65.
"On behalf of Sun Devil Athletics, I want to express my deepest condolences to the entire Butterfield family," said Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson. "Steve's passion for ASU was infectious and his generosity and business acumen helped advance our athletics programs and facilities. He will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Sun Devil Nation has lost one of our greatest supporters."
Butterfield earned a B.S. degree in business administration from ASU in 1974 and has been a staunch supporter of Sun Devil Athletics for more than four decades. His influence resonates across the athletics department as he has helped sustain numerous programs, including football, men and women's basketball and golf, wrestling and baseball. A passionate football fan and longtime season ticket holder, he also served as co-chairman of the Sun Devil Stadium Momentum campaign which launched in 2014, where he enthusiastically lead fundraising efforts for the Sun Devil Stadium reinvention.
"In my short time at ASU I have quickly learned what Steve and his family mean to this university," said head football coach Herm Edwards. "His unwavering support for Sun Devil Football, his leadership in the Sun Devil Stadium campaign and his desire to make a difference in the ASU community was admirable. Today I send my thoughts and prayers to his family and everyone whose lives were touched by a genuine Sun Devil."
A key member of multiple capital campaigns, Butterfield contributed to both the Weatherup Center, the state-of-the-art practice facility for the men and women's basketball programs, and the Verde Dickey Dome, the climate-controlled venue used primarily by the football program, but also by numerous other athletics programs, the Sun Devil Marching Band, and ASU intramurals.
said ASU Enterprise Partners CEO R.F. "Rick" Shangraw Jr. "His passion and generosity for ASU helped shape the future of the athletic department and inspired many student-athletes and staff. Steve's spirit will always be remembered and treasured."
The breadth of Butterfield's philanthropy stretches throughout ASU's campus as he was a member of the President's Club, a group comprised of men and women committed to transforming public higher education through their support of the ASU president, and supported the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Women and Philanthropy, and Arizona PBS.
"Always a champion for ASU, Steve Butterfield partnered with us to elevate excellence across Sun Devil Athletics," said ASU President Michael M. Crow. "Steve's commitment to the university and our community was inspiring. It was a privilege to work with him to support the success of our student athletes at ASU. He will be deeply missed."
In his career, Butterfield spent 15 years as an investment banker before helping found Nelnet, a Lincoln, Neb.- based education planning and finance company where he most recently served as Vice-Chairman of the board. Additionally, he was a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance committee as well as a member of the Risk and Finance committee.
"On behalf of Sun Devil Athletics, I want to express my deepest condolences to the entire Butterfield family," said Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson. "Steve's passion for ASU was infectious and his generosity and business acumen helped advance our athletics programs and facilities. He will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Sun Devil Nation has lost one of our greatest supporters."
Butterfield earned a B.S. degree in business administration from ASU in 1974 and has been a staunch supporter of Sun Devil Athletics for more than four decades. His influence resonates across the athletics department as he has helped sustain numerous programs, including football, men and women's basketball and golf, wrestling and baseball. A passionate football fan and longtime season ticket holder, he also served as co-chairman of the Sun Devil Stadium Momentum campaign which launched in 2014, where he enthusiastically lead fundraising efforts for the Sun Devil Stadium reinvention.
"In my short time at ASU I have quickly learned what Steve and his family mean to this university," said head football coach Herm Edwards. "His unwavering support for Sun Devil Football, his leadership in the Sun Devil Stadium campaign and his desire to make a difference in the ASU community was admirable. Today I send my thoughts and prayers to his family and everyone whose lives were touched by a genuine Sun Devil."
A key member of multiple capital campaigns, Butterfield contributed to both the Weatherup Center, the state-of-the-art practice facility for the men and women's basketball programs, and the Verde Dickey Dome, the climate-controlled venue used primarily by the football program, but also by numerous other athletics programs, the Sun Devil Marching Band, and ASU intramurals.
"Steve Butterfield made a tremendous impact at ASU and on Sun Devil Athletics and will be greatly missed by everyone who had the unique pleasure of knowing him,"Beyond the education & football, this man right here is why I am most thankful for attending Arizona State Univeristy. This is hard for me to come to grips with, but the impact he made is an inspiration for us all. pic.twitter.com/O7veSrijT4
— Michael Bercovici (@MikeBerco) April 24, 2018
said ASU Enterprise Partners CEO R.F. "Rick" Shangraw Jr. "His passion and generosity for ASU helped shape the future of the athletic department and inspired many student-athletes and staff. Steve's spirit will always be remembered and treasured."
The breadth of Butterfield's philanthropy stretches throughout ASU's campus as he was a member of the President's Club, a group comprised of men and women committed to transforming public higher education through their support of the ASU president, and supported the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Women and Philanthropy, and Arizona PBS.
"Always a champion for ASU, Steve Butterfield partnered with us to elevate excellence across Sun Devil Athletics," said ASU President Michael M. Crow. "Steve's commitment to the university and our community was inspiring. It was a privilege to work with him to support the success of our student athletes at ASU. He will be deeply missed."
In his career, Butterfield spent 15 years as an investment banker before helping found Nelnet, a Lincoln, Neb.- based education planning and finance company where he most recently served as Vice-Chairman of the board. Additionally, he was a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance committee as well as a member of the Risk and Finance committee.