[5] After graduating, Whitman attended the University of Illinois in 1949, where he became paralyzed in an accident while competing in the gymnastics team.

[7] Whitman was awarded the gold medal along with athlete, Wayne Broeren in the mixed pairs open event.

[4] Whitman participated in the men's albion round open, winning no medal for which he came in fourth place with his score being 759 points.

[9] Whitman participated in the albion round team open event along with Dick Robinson and Dean Slaugh,[9] scoring 2253 points.

[9] He also participated in the FITA round team open event along with Jim Mathis and Dean Slaugh.