Mike Whitmarsh Dead, Pro Beach Volleyball Champion (Photos)
Olympic silver medalist and pro beach volleyball tour champion Mike Whitmarsh, 46, was found dead at a friend’s home in Solana Beach, California on Tuesday morning, February 17.
According to the Medical Examiners Office, he was unresponsive when discovered in the garage of the Shoemaker Lane residence, where he sometimes stayed. A cause of death has not been released.
He lead the University of San Diego to its first West Coast Conference basketball title in 1984. The 6′7″ star was drafted in the 5th round by the Portland Trailblazers and was picked up briefly by the Minnesota Timberwolves before playing professionally in Germany for 3 years.
Whitmarsh switched to beach volleyball in 1990 and was named AVP Rookie of the Year. He went on to become one of the top AVP Tour players. He won silver medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games and at the 1997 L.A. World Championships.
His wife Cindy Whitmarsh, owner of a local fitness and nutrition store, provided the following statement: “We are all devastated by the passing of Mike. His family, friends, teammates and colleagues will miss him terribly. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. It means more than we can express.”
More photos below.
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Filed under: Across the Nation, sports
now what happen to athletes today dying at a young age
I created an online memorial for Mike. Please visit the page and leave your thoughts, prayers, pictures, light a candle, etc. We miss ya Mike!
Henri
You shall be remembered, go in peace.
He was the best player ever, a real class act..He and Dood were UNBELIEVABLE to watch. So sad..
He killed himself after losing his kids in his divorce. This happens more than you know. Some kill others in anger and grief he killed himself.
I think his kids will figure it out when they get older and hate their mother.
Give me a break. MILLIONS of people with kids go through divorces every year and none of them kill themselves.
I don’t know anything about their divorce or custody agreement, but the court NEVER takes the child/children away from the father UNLESS their is drugs, booze, or molestation involved. I know because I used to work in Family Court in San Diego.
Mike obviously had serious depression or something wrong with him mentally. He was a realtor and in San Diego, many aren’t making ANY income right now.
Mike should have thought that by killing himself, he would leave his young children fatherless for the rest of their lives. He should have sought help but didn’t.