Michael Whippy was beloved by basketball players, coaches and fans. He volunteered for many years as coach of several different club and national teams.
Mr Whippy passed away earlier this year. Fiji news media reported on his passing, and on his legacy among family, friends and the Fiji basketball community.
Michael Whippy with basketball players he coached.
Michael Whippy with basketball players he coached.He is also loved and missed by family and friends, many of whom are fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
His brother, Elder Paul Whippy, who serves as an Area Seventy in the Church, says this of his older brother: “Michael was a good older brother who supported me and my family in the callings I had over the years. He was the last surviving sibling of my five brothers. Basketball was in our blood and as we lived about five minutes away from the chapel, we were both converted to the gospel through basketball, and the marvelous friends and leaders who provided the support and fellowship."
Elder Whippy continued: "Michael’s heroes were his children, and he coached his two daughters to international gold medal success on more than one occasion. His basketball legacy is exceptional as a national player and his national coaching achievements are most admirable."
Smiling, Elder Whippy recalled: "I was told as a youth that 'basketball is the game that will be played in heaven'…that is why we have courts at all our chapels…I can see Michael in his element there…I look forward to a greater reunion of embrace and celebration with high fives all around…just like we did in our glory days of Fiji basketball."