 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.