Later this afternoon, Elizabeth Kitley's #33 jersey will be hung from the rafters of Cassell Coliseum. It's an opportunity for Tech fans to say thank you one final time, and to embrace an unprecedented era in Tech basketball. It's an honor Kitley earned and that she deserves.
In today's world of 24/7 news cycles, attention-grabbing headlines, and information overload, it's often difficult to comprehend historical perspective. Make no mistake. Kitley's significance in Blacksburg is Mount Rushmore-worthy. Statistically, of course, but also historically and culturally.
Statistical Significance
A native of Summerfield, NC, the 6'-6" Kitley arrived in Blacksburg in 2019 and promptly won ACC Freshman of the Year. By the time her career ended, she was a three-time ACC Player of the Year. Here are just a few of Kitley's career statistical superlatives (source: Hokiesports.com):
- First in games started (151)
- First in minutes played (4,326)
- First in points scored (2,709)
- First in double figure games (125)
- First in double-double games (76, also an ACC record)
- First in career 30-point games (13)
- First in field goals made (1,109)
- First in career field goal percentage (55.2)
- First in rebounds (1,506, also an ACC record)
- First in blocks (331)
- Only woman in ACC history to record 2,500 points and 1,500 rebounds
Kitley was First Team All-ACC four times and an AP All-American three times. She was a three-time ACC All-Defensive Team member, and a First Team All American by The Sporting News and The Athletic in her final season.
To put some of her statistics in perspective, Kitley not only holds the career mark at Tech in points, rebounds and blocks, but she ran away from the rest of the leaderboard:
Statistic | Kitley | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
Points | 2709 | 1883 | 1853 |
Rebounds | 1506 | 1291 | 853 |
Blocks | 331 | 256 | 182 |
This is not to diminish the accomplishments of other all-time greats in Virginia Tech history, but rather to fully appreciate just how special Kitley was.
Historical and Cultural Significance
It can't be understated the level of impact Kitley made on the history books and culturally in the town of Blacksburg and beyond.
Before Kitley's arrival, Virginia Tech Women's Basketball made nine NCAA Tournament appearances ever, with a Sweet 16 appearance in 1998-99 the high-water mark. Kitley led Tech to four NCAAs, including the program's first #1 Seed and first Final Four. The highest season win total in Tech history was 1998-99's 28. Kitley led the Hokies to 31 wins in that magical run.
The average home attendance for women's games in the six years prior to the Kitley era was 1,666 per game. In Kitley's final season, Tech drew 6,642 overall and 7,419 in ACC games (source: Hokiesports.com). The Hokies piqued the interest of more than just Tech fans. They were frequently on national television, hosted ESPN's College Gameday and the first two rounds of the NCAA twice.
The changing landscape of Name, Image and Likeness gave Kitley an opportunity to promote her team and her sport in many ways. Whether it was appearing on TV, filming commercials or co-hosting the popular Queens of Cassell podcast with Georgia Amoore, Kitley had a meaningful impact on interest in women's basketball. She signed autographs and took pictures with virtually anyone who'd ask, especially young girls dreaming of being the next Liz Kitley.
The term "student-athlete" is more often said sarcastically these days. But Kitley proved that she was equal parts student and athlete, graduating Summa cum laude and being named ACC Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year three times She also received the Kay Yow Award three times, a significant testament to her academic and athletic excellence.
Kitley's family was another source of connection and affection for Tech fans. Former Wake Forest hoopster Ralph Kitley, his wife Loretta and of course sister Raven were fixtures in Cassell Coliseum. They bought into the culture of Hokie Nation and Hokie Nation embraced them from the jump. Because of Raven, Autism Awareness became part of the fabric of Tech women's basketball. Even with Liz no longer playing, the Kitley family can still be seen taking in a Tech game.
She was the complete package. Student. Ambassador. Fierce Competitor. Winner. Icon in the community. Culture carrier. Sunday is Elizabeth Kitley's day. Sunday is a day to show her appreciation. And her jersey will hang in Cassell every day afterward to remind us of all she meant to Virginia Tech and to Blacksburg.