"These girls are playing their butts off": Former VT star Liz Kitley hypes audience for the 2025 Hokies squad at her jersey retirement event

Former Virginia Tech women’s basketball star Liz Kitley was honored for her outstanding contributions to the Hokies program during her playing career. Kitley’s No. 33 jersey was retired at Cassell Coliseum on Sunday.

On Tuesday, the Hokies posted a video of the ceremony on Instagram, showing Kitley addressing the crowd after she was introduced to the arena. The emotional WNBA star watched as her jersey was unveiled in the rafters to an ovation from the audience.

During her speech, Kitley encouraged the crowd to continue supporting the Hokies squad.

"Mainly I just want to say thank you to everyone in this building right now for embracing not only me, but my family," she said. "We appreciate it and feel it so much."

"And I just hope that you see what these girls are bringing to the floor right now because we have had a lot of success in the last years. But these girls are playing their butts off and they deserve you in the stands every single game."

Liz Kitley played five seasons at Virginia Tech and became the program's most decorated player with three ACC Player of the Year trophies. She also holds the ACC record for rebounds (1,506) and double-doubles (76).

Whit Babcock praises Liz Kitley for her impact on VT

Liz Kitley helped usher in a new era of women’s basketball, leading Virginia Tech from a program merely participating to one competing for championships. The 6-foot-6 center posted the most double-figure scoring games in program history, including field goals made, field goal percentage, 30-point games and blocks.

Whit Babcock, Virginia Tech's director of athletics, was full of praise for the former Hokies star during her jersey retirement ceremony at halftime of the Hokies’ home game against Louisville.

"Elizabeth's impact on Virginia Tech and women's basketball transcends statistics," he said. "Her passion, work ethic and character have left an enduring legacy that is inspiring the next generation."

"Retiring her jersey is a symbolic gesture of gratitude for the mark she has left on our women's basketball program and the hearts of Hokie Nation."

In the 2023-24 season, Liz Kitley led the Hokies to their first ACC regular-season title in program history, leading the league in scoring and rebounding.

She also won her third consecutive ACC Player of the Year trophy and earned first-team All-ACC honors for the fourth time, along with All-Defensive Team accolades for the third time. Kitley was also named the Kay Yow Scholar Athlete of the Year for a third time.

Overall, Kitley led the Hokies to 115 home wins at Cassell Coliseum, with just two losses in her final two seasons.