Feb. 18, 2009
(San Diego, CA) - Mike Whitmarsh, who led the University of San Diego men's basketball team to its first West Coast Conference title and NCAA Division I Tournament appearance in 1984, has passed away at the age of 46. A two-year standout at USD (1982-84) after transferring from nearby Grossmont College, Whitmarsh led the 1983-84 team to an 18-10 record with averages of 18.8 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game and 6.0 assists per game. USD finished 9-3 in league play under the direction of WCC Coach of the Year Jim Brovelli. He was selected Honorable Mention All-America (Associated Press), first-team All-West Coast Conference, team Most Valuable Player, and a WCC Scholar-Athlete. He went on to earn his undergraduate degree in Political Science in 1985, and in 1995 was inducted into USD's Chet & Marguerite Pagni Family Athletic Hall of Fame.
"Our hearts go out to the entire Whitmarsh family," said Ky Snyder, USD Executive Director of Athletics. "Mike was an involved alum and we will miss him greatly."
After USD, Mike was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in the 5th round of the NBA draft. He later spent some time with the Minnesota Timberwolves camp before heading to Europe where he played three seasons. He later excelled in the sport of beach volleyball which he began in 1990. He went on to win 28 tournaments and more than $1.6 million in earnings. In 1996 he teamed with Mike Dodd and won silver medal in beach volleyball at the Olympic Games in Atlanta.
"Mike was an athlete who had all the tools," said Jim Brovelli, who coached at USD between 1973-84. "He was a gifted athlete who made his team and teammates better. Game after game, he seemed to touch the ball and come through for us in clutch situations."
Whitmarsh is survived by his wife, Cindy, and two daughters. Services are pending.
"We are all devastated by the passing of Mike," Cindy Whitmarsh said in a statement released Tuesday evening. "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."
