Steve Appleton --In Memoriam
SKILLMAN, N.J. – Steve Appleton, CEO of Micron Technology and former Boise State University varsity tennis standout and winner of the 2005 ITA Achievement Award, was killed in a plane crash at the Boise Airport on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012.
“I am very saddened by this tragic news, ” stated David Benjamin, ITA Executive Director. “Steve was a truly extraordinary individual and a great supporter of college tennis and his alma mater, Boise State University, and the Boise community. I enjoyed having the chance to meet and visit with Steve and his wife, Dalynn, when we honored him at the Achievement Award Ceremony during the 2005 US Open. I remember vividly his enthusiasm that day in receiving the very special honor, personally presented by Stan Smith, which he so very much deserved. My deepest sympathy and condolences go to Steve’s family and all of his many friends at Boise State and in the Boise community.”
The ITA Achievement Award was created in 1994 to pay tribute each year to past participants in the world of collegiate varsity tennis who have achieved excellence in their chosen careers. The person honored annually by the ITA as the Achievement Award winner is unique in his or her character and accomplishments. The spirit of this award honors both professional success and contributions to society, made either as a direct result of a career, or through humanitarian efforts.
A member of the Boise State tennis team from 1978-82, Appleton served as team captain his senior year, during which he claimed the Big Sky doubles championship. Upon graduating from Boise State, Steve Appleton embarked on his career at Micron Technology, a Fortune 500 Company, working his way from night shift production operator to Vice President of Operations in less than a decade. Appleton embodied the American dream: in 1992 he became President and COO of Micron Technology, and two years later, at the age of 34, Steve Appleton was appointed Chairman, CEO, and President. At the time, he was the third youngest CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
Micron produces semiconductor chips for computers, mobile devices, cameras, and other devices; it is one of Idaho’s largest and most influential employers. Appleton was the face of Micron for most Idaho natives. The company was instrumental in the state’s tech boom and is known for charitable giving, recently donating $13 million for a new building at Boise State University.
Greg Patton, the Men’s Varsity Tennis coach at Boise State, made the following remarks in tribute to his good friend:
“Steve Appleton epitomized everything that is majestic about collegiate tennis. He loved how it enabled him to play for his teammates even in an individual sport. He spoke of how his quest to become the Big Sky Doubles champion in 1978 taught him life lessons of preparedness, discipline, goal-setting, competitiveness and plain, old-fashioned work ethic. They served him well in his rise from a student line worker at the young Micron Company to becoming CEO of this Fortune 100 company. His contributions to the State of Idaho, to Micron and to his alma mater of Boise State are legendary. Both his passion and compassion made him a champion of business, philanthropy and life. He will be greatly missed as the visionary leader who shaped our State, Boise State University, and the lives of our student-athletes.”
Generous with his time and money, Steve Appleton donated to a variety of worthy causes and programs worldwide. He founded the Micron Foundation in 1999, serving as the Chairman of this foundation. Under his guidance, the Micron Foundation assisted agencies and organizations focused on schools, teachers, students, and communities. Appleton personally contributed millions of dollars to a wide variety of programs, from university engineering initiatives to sports facilities. The Broncos’ tennis teams play their home matches at the Appleton Tennis Center thanks to his 2002 donation to the programs.
“On behalf of the United States Tennis Association, I would like to express our great sadness at the tragic death of Steve Appleton,” Jon Vegosen, Chairman of the Board and President of the USTA, said. “He was the Chairman and CEO of Micron Technology, Inc., a great and generous humanitarian, and a huge supporter of varsity collegiate tennis. An inspiration to us all, Steve received the prestigious ITA Achievement Award in 2005, and the USTA helped to honor his well-deserved recognition. Steve will be dearly missed.”
