Virginia Tech Athletics impresses both on and off the court, boasting a 90% Graduation Success Rate and producing standout athletes like Elizabeth Kitley, who had a record-breaking college career.
When your marks are just as good off the court as they are on, it’s an impressive feat—and that’s the case for Virginia Tech Athletics.
The National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) recently reported that the Blacksburg college’s athletics program had an overall Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 90%. It’s a measure the collegiate association started tracking in 2003 as part of a broader academic reform initiative.
While nine VT sports recorded a perfect 100,% others came in close—including the women’s basketball program, which scored 92%.
Academics aren’t the only area where the players shine; their on-court experience speaks for itself. Just last April, center Elizabeth Kitley became the ninth Hokie to be drafted into the WNBA (though, a torn ACL unfortunately deferred her from being on the 2024 Las Vegas Aces season training camp roster).
According to the Virginia Tech website, some of Kitley’s major accolades include:
- 151 games at VT, averaging 17.9 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 55.2% from the field
- Three-time back-to-back-to-back ACC Player of the Year
- Four-time First Team All-ACC member
- Three-time ACC All-Defensive Team
- The ACC’s all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles, at the time she finished her college career
- A finalist for the Wade Trophy and Lisa Leslie Award
Additionally, Kitley set a multitude of program records while at VT, including the most number of games started (151), the most minutes played (4,326), the most points scored (2,709), and more.
On Dec. 5, an article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal noted that while she wasn’t being paid by the team, Kitley was allowed to use the Las Vegas Aces’ facilities. A quote from head coach Becky Hammon alluded that Kitley could be “a top-five pick,” now that she’s recovered from her injury.
