13 Facts About Mike Whitmarsh

Michael John Whitmarsh was an American volleyball and basketball player.

Mike Whitmarsh won the silver medal in the men's inaugural beach volleyball tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, partnering with Mike Dodd.

Mike Whitmarsh was a two-time all-conference player in the West Coast Athletic Conference, known now as the West Coast Conference, and led San Diego to their first-ever conference title in 1984.

Mike Whitmarsh played professional basketball for three years in Europe before turning to volleyball.

Mike Whitmarsh played basketball at Monte Vista High in Spring Valley, California, and later Grossmont College in El Cajon.

Mike Whitmarsh did not take academics seriously as a freshman at Grossmont.

Mike Whitmarsh did not think that he had a chance to get an athletic scholarship until Toreros coach Jim Brovelli showed interest in him.

Mike Whitmarsh started all 24 games as a junior, averaging 15.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game and earning all-conference honors in the WCAC.

Mike Whitmarsh was named All-WCAC again, and was runner-up to John Stockton in the voting for the WCAC Player of the Year.

Mike Whitmarsh was drafted by the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers in the fifth round in 1984.

Mike Whitmarsh narrowly missed making the roster of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and played professionally in Germany for three years before abandoning basketball in favor of beach volleyball.

Mike Whitmarsh quickly adapted to the beach with his powerful blocks at the net and won over the fans.

Mike Whitmarsh was in the midst of a divorce from his wife Cindy and was found dead in a friend's garage on Wednesday, February 17,2009, leaving behind two young daughters.