Mike Whitmarsh

Michael John Whitmarsh (May 18, 1962 – February 17, 2009) was an American volleyball and basketball player. He won the silver medal in the men's inaugural beach volleyball tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, partnering with Mike Dodd. Throughout his volleyball career, Whitmarsh earned over $1.6 million as well as 28 tournament wins.

Early life Whitmarsh was born in San Diego.

College career The Whitmarsh played college basketball at USD. He 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. As a senior in 1983–84, he averaged 18.8 points and 7.3 rebounds and led the Toreros to an 18–10 record and the 1984 NCAA tournament. In the final game of the regular season against Saint Mary's, he had 24 points and six rebounds in a 68–59 win to clinch the Torreros' first-ever WCAC title. He was named All-WCAC again, and was runner-up to John Stockton in the voting for the WCAC Player of the Year. He also 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. Transitioning from the indoor hard court to the soft sand of beach volleyball (which is often played under hot and humid conditions) was not easy, and he developed a reputation for cramping late in tournaments.

Whitmarsh quickly adapted to the beach with his powerful blocks at the net and won over the fans. In 2002, he was named the Best Blocker by the AVP.

Awards and honors AVP Rookie of the Year 1990 AVP King of the Beach 2000 AVP Best Blocker 2002 AVP Lifetime Achievement 2004 AVP Role Model Award 2003 AVP Special Achievement 2003