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J Dee Marinko
Sitting Volleyball

J. Dee

Marinko

Paralympian 2016

Athlete Bio#

Height

6'4"

Age

44

Hometown

Newcastle, OK

Education

Newcastle High School Panhandle State University; DeVry University

Quick Facts
  • Parents are Joe Marinko and Teresa McShane
  • Brothers are John Marinko and Zac Boydstun; Sisters are Joy Harold, Tina Bishop and Valerir Powell. J.Dee is the youngest of the family
  • The happiest moment of his life was the birth of his sons, Kash (2008) and Liam (2011)
  • The person J. Dee admires most is his mother, Teresa, because, “She has fought and beat cancer, and was with me through my fight with cancer.”
  • J. Dee’s hobbies include golf, hunting and fishing
Career Highlights
  • 2019: Parapan American Games (Silver)
  • 2015: USA Volleyball Male Sitting Player of the Year
  • 2015: Parapan American Games (Silver)
  • 2011: Parapan American Games(Silver); Continental Cup; Sarajevo Open
  • ---
  • DID YOU KNOW
  • J.Dee is below the knee amputee on his right leg
  • After being diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, J. Dee was told there was a 75 percent chance of the cancer coming back if he did have the affected parts of his leg removed.
  • Played two years of football at Panhandle State University
Paralympic Experience
  • 1-time Paralympian;
    • Paralympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, 8th (Team - Men)
World Championship Experience
  • Most recent: 2018 – 8th (Team - Men)
  • Years of participation: Team - Men 2014, 2018
  • Top finish: 8th – 2018 (Team - Men)
More
Run With It: J. Dee Marinko
Paralympian: J. Dee Marinko
The Sitting Happens Podcast: J. Dee Marinko
Fighting Cancer with INFINITY and the Hardwood Heroes
Sitting Update: Men's camp key to Rio success
Cameras Over Cancer: Soft Tissue Sarcoma Survivor Becomes World-Class Athlete
After Losing His Leg To Cancer, Sitting Volleyball Player J. Dee Marinko Thankful For Another Chance To Play
Marinko Tabbed Men's Sitting Player of Year
Cancer.org: Soft Tissue Sarcoma Survivor Becomes World-Class Athlete
Tinker Air Force Base: Cancer claims foot, but doesn’t dampen spirit, of Tinker athlete

 

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