Beach Volleyball Champ Mike Whitmarsh Found Dead

 

Mike Whitmarsh, Olympic silver medalist and pro beach volleyball tour champion, was found dead at a friend’s home in Solana Beach, California on Tuesday morning, February 17.  He was 46.

The Medical Examiners Office states a friend found him unresponsive inside a car in the garage of the Shoemaker Lane residence, where he sometimes stayed. Whitmarsh was married and lived with family in San Diego, but sometimes stayed with the friend in Solana Beach.

The medical examiner’s office did not list a cause of death and as of Tuesday evening an autopsy had not yet been scheduled.

In 1984, 6’7″ Whitmarsh lead the University of San Diego to its first West Coast Conference basketball title, he was then drafted in the 5th round by the Portland Trailblazers and was briefly picked up by the Minnesota Timberwolves before playing professionally in Germany for 3 years.

Whitmarsh later 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.  In 1996, he teamed up with Mike Dodd for the Atlanta Olympics where the pair won a silver medal.  He won a total of 28 pro beach volleyball tournaments and won nearly $1.6 million during his career.

His wife Cindy Whitmarsh, who owns a local fitness and nutrition store, released 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.”

Our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.