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Post by Not Me on Feb 18, 2009 9:38:59 GMT -5
Don't like to duplicate threads, but not sure if most check the Men's board. www.nbcsandiego.com/sports/more/Volleyballs-Whitmarsh-Dead-at-47.htmlProfessional volleyball player and Olympic medalist Mike Whitmarsh has died, according to San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept. Silver medalist and San Diego native Mike Whitmarsh was found dead in a Solana Beach home Tuesday. The San Diego native was found dead in a home Tuesday in Solana Beach, deputies said. Whitmarsh was born in San Diego in 1962 and earned more than $1.6 million in his career, winning 28 titles, according to an online beach volleyball database. He played basketball for University of San Diego and even in the NBA for the Portland Trailblazers and Minnesota Timberwolves. Volleyball called to him in 1986 and he went on to win a number of honors in the early 2000’s. Whitmarsh teamed up with Mike Dodd to earn silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Just after 5 p.m. Tuesday, Whitmarsh's wife released this 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. We ask that you respect the privacy of our family so that we may mourn our loved one." --- Cindy Whitmarsh and Family |
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Post by silversurfer on Feb 18, 2009 10:10:53 GMT -5
This is really strange. Mike was not an old guy.
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Post by calguy on Feb 18, 2009 10:16:08 GMT -5
Don't like to duplicate threads, but not sure if most check the Men's board. www.nbcsandiego.com/sports/more/Volleyballs-Whitmarsh-Dead-at-47.htmlProfessional volleyball player and Olympic medalist Mike Whitmarsh has died, according to San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept. Silver medalist and San Diego native Mike Whitmarsh was found dead in a Solana Beach home Tuesday. The San Diego native was found dead in a home Tuesday in Solana Beach, deputies said. Whitmarsh was born in San Diego in 1962 and earned more than $1.6 million in his career, winning 28 titles, according to an online beach volleyball database. He played basketball for University of San Diego and even in the NBA for the Portland Trailblazers and Minnesota Timberwolves. Volleyball called to him in 1986 and he went on to win a number of honors in the early 2000’s. Whitmarsh teamed up with Mike Dodd to earn silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Just after 5 p.m. Tuesday, Whitmarsh's wife released this 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. We ask that you respect the privacy of our family so that we may mourn our loved one." --- Cindy Whitmarsh and Family RIP, Whitty.  |
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Post by calguy on Feb 18, 2009 10:17:40 GMT -5
This is really strange. Mike was not an old guy. The online comments by readers after the news story tell the real story. It looks like Mike took his life. Very sad. |
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Post by volleysean27 on Feb 18, 2009 10:19:01 GMT -5
The article was really vague, no details of how he died... Hmmm.. And the sheriff is involved.. I wonder what happened... RIP Whitty.. He was a great player at his time and one of the best blockers in the world
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Post by Phaedrus on Feb 18, 2009 10:26:13 GMT -5
I wouldn't read too much intot he fact that the sheriff is involved, they are always called to the scene of deaths, and they don't usually release any findings as to cause of death until much later.
I remember watching him play years ago. RIP.
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Post by volleysean27 on Feb 18, 2009 10:30:11 GMT -5
Its sad to hear that he took his life.. Only one can wonder what was going on in there lives. He was such a likeable guy
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Post by vbhrtnsoul on Feb 18, 2009 10:31:07 GMT -5
If you read the article they found him in his friend's garage. The first thought that came to my mind way that he . He was a great guy. RIP
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Post by silversurfer on Feb 18, 2009 10:48:11 GMT -5
I always watched him in the AVP events on TV. Seemed like a great guy.
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Post by bigfan on Feb 18, 2009 11:16:48 GMT -5
Enjoyed watching him play. Godspeed.
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Post by noonereally on Feb 18, 2009 12:47:36 GMT -5
One of the greats... thoughts and prayers
Whitmarsh RIP
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Post by copiap on Feb 18, 2009 14:37:14 GMT -5
what a tragedy!!! thoughts and prayers go to the Whitmarsh family...be respectful to Mikes memory and to his family and friends by NOT speculating how he passed away...
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Post by jonstevenson on Feb 18, 2009 14:47:47 GMT -5
I played with Mike and he had his first top 4 finish with me at Seal Beach. I first remember Jon Hastings (vball & Dig Magazines) talking about how he was going to be the real deal when he was playing in some Bud Light California Parks and Rec. Tour. Later, when trying to get the ball past his block at Marine Street in Manhattan, I realized that he was DIFFERENT. While Hov, Stokie, and John Hanley were the best blockers in the early 80's, blocking OVER THE PLANE OF THE NET CAME IN '86 and then Powers was THE MOST DOMINANT...We won 6 times in '88 and 2 of the 3 $100,000 Cuervo Gold Crown events. I played with Steffes in '89 and he got his first win w/ me at Seal Beach. Then w/ Boulliane for a couple of tournaments.
THEN WHITTY WAS READY TO GO BIG!!! I was fortunate to catch him on his rise to the top. There were some great times with Whitmarsh, Al Janc, and when Whitty solved his cramping problems and teamed with Dodd, they were an amazing team. A rejuvenated Mike Dodd was THE MOST CLUTCH PLAYER in the sport and Whitty could side out all day. Their wins at Clearwater, Seal Beach, their come back over Portugal to get to the medal round in Atlanta Olympics, are matches I will never forget. It is impossible to imagine Mike Whitmarsh would be gone at such an age, but we don't know the story. I am writing to my friends who may read this. Whitty was tough to beat at ping pong, tennis, golf, you name it. What made him such a unique blocker was (like Dodd at it's INCEPTION IN 1980!!!) Whitmarsh blocked both like a basketball shot blocker and as a volleyball blocker. He had a uniquely quick and high jump, great hand/eye coordination, and could motor to set Mike Dodd's digs in transition. They may have been as good as ANY TEAM EVER at that aspect of the game. In my friend's honor, I will miss Mike Whitmarsh. Jon Stevenson
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Post by RickC on Feb 19, 2009 9:38:30 GMT -5
I played with Mike and he had his first top 4 finish with me at Seal Beach. I first remember Jon Hastings (vball & Dig Magazines) talking about how he was going to be the real deal when he was playing in some Bud Light California Parks and Rec. Tour. Later, when trying to get the ball past his block at Marine Street in Manhattan, I realized that he was DIFFERENT. While Hov, Stokie, and John Hanley were the best blockers in the early 80's, blocking OVER THE PLANE OF THE NET CAME IN '86 and then Powers was THE MOST DOMINANT...We won 6 times in '88 and 2 of the 3 $100,000 Cuervo Gold Crown events. I played with Steffes in '89 and he got his first win w/ me at Seal Beach. Then w/ Boulliane for a couple of tournaments. THEN WHITTY WAS READY TO GO BIG!!! I was fortunate to catch him on his rise to the top. There were some great times with Whitmarsh, Al Janc, and when Whitty solved his cramping problems and teamed with Dodd, they were an amazing team. A rejuvenated Mike Dodd was THE MOST CLUTCH PLAYER in the sport and Whitty could side out all day. Their wins at Clearwater, Seal Beach, their come back over Portugal to get to the medal round in Atlanta Olympics, are matches I will never forget. It is impossible to imagine Mike Whitmarsh would be gone at such an age, but we don't know the story. I am writing to my friends who may read this. Whitty was tough to beat at ping pong, tennis, golf, you name it. What made him such a unique blocker was (like Dodd at it's INCEPTION IN 1980!!!) Whitmarsh blocked both like a basketball shot blocker and as a volleyball blocker. He had a uniquely quick and high jump, great hand/eye coordination, and could motor to set Mike Dodd's digs in transition. They may have been as good as ANY TEAM EVER at that aspect of the game. In my friend's honor, I will miss Mike Whitmarsh. Jon Stevenson Nicely said Jon. In addition to being a great player, Whitty was truly one of the nice guys on tour. Always had time for the fans. So sad to hear. RickC |
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Post by playvb on Feb 19, 2009 11:34:39 GMT -5
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 18, 2009 B.J. Evans Manager, Media Relations and Publications Phone: 719-228-6800 E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org USA Volleyball Saddened by Death of Mike Whitmarsh COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Volleyball was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Olympic beach volleyball silver medalist Mike Whitmarsh. According to published reports, Whitmarsh, 46, was found dead Tuesday (Feb. 17) in Solana Beach, Calif. "We are shocked and saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of Mike Whitmarsh," USA Volleyball CEO Doug Beal said. "The Olympic volleyball family and all of USA Volleyball have lost a wonderful person and remarkable athlete and performer. "Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out to his family for their loss at this tragic time." Whitmarsh and partner Mike Dodd won the silver medal in the inaugural Olympic beach volleyball competition in 1996 in Atlanta. They lost to fellow Americans Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes in the gold medal match. "Olympic volleyball players are a unique and special collection of people and we always feel very deeply when that special family is touched by tragedy," Beal said. "The best way for me to put it is that we played together for six years. When you play together for that long on the beach, you go through everything together," said Dodd, who initially partnered with Whitmarsh in 1993. "In the end, you are much more like a brother than a friend or a fellow competitor. Mike was like my brother." "I don’t know if you will find in all of sports someone who was better liked by all of his peers, meaning competitors," Kiraly said. "That’s very rare to find, especially in a sport like beach volleyball when everybody is going after each other for prize money. "He was really a big part of the growth of beach volleyball in the late ’80s and early ’90s. He was a part of a group of guys who were truly compelling to watch and riveted fan attention." To read the complete story, go to usavolleyball.org/news/article/9824. |
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