Sister superpowers: How the Kitleys champion autism awareness

Under the bright lights of Cassell Coliseum, the Kitley sisters have created something that stretches far beyond the court. For former Virginia Tech women’s basketball star Elizabeth Kitley and her older sister Raven, an unmistakable presence on gamedays in an orange wig, the annual Autism Friendly Game is a reflection of their family’s journey and a celebration of a community learning to embrace autism.  

The Kitleys were the reason this cause game began. Raven, who has autism, became an important part of the Hokie women's basketball family when her sister chose to play at Tech – a decision influenced heavily by Raven's opinion. 

While Liz was going through the recruiting process and building relationships, Raven was forming her own special bonds with then-head coach Kenny Brooks and the staff. She became so beloved by the program that she received her own set of recruiting graphics, Star Wars style, in honor of her favorite franchise. 

Raven quickly captured the heart of Hokie Nation – attending nearly every game, spreading positivity and building relationships with fans. Her connection to the program took on a new meaning when Virginia Tech hosted its first Autism Friendly Game, a tradition now in its fifth year. 

"It’s been really cool to see Virginia Tech embrace the Autism Friendly game, especially knowing it started when I was a player," Liz said. "Raven embraced it every step of the way. She loves getting recognition for herself and others like her.  It’s really special seeing people cheer for her and fully support her as part of Hokie Nation.” 

"Virginia Tech's done a really great job with spreading awareness," Raven added. "I love seeing how people are learning about autism now, because when I was born in the ‘90s, nobody knew as much about it. Autism is not going anywhere, so we have to learn how to embrace it.” 

Through the highs and lows of Liz's college basketball career, Raven was a constant source of motivation and joy for the All-American and three-time ACC Player of the Year. Even on tough days, Liz knew that Raven would be there to encourage her and pull her in for a kiss.  

When asked about her "superpower", Raven explained that her energy and loyalty to her family are what set her apart. And for Liz, seeing her sister in the crowd – the familiar orange wig bobbing up and down – was the best part of every gameday. 

"We would wave during every warmup, make eye contact, and give a little ‘hug’ from 30 feet away," Liz laughed. "After the game, I knew that no matter what, no matter how the game went or how I played, she was always there, wanting to go to PK’s for pizza or McDonald’s or Taco Bell, just to have a good time. She always kept the mood really light and stayed positive for me, no matter how I did — and a lot of times, I really needed that.” 

Raven loved every moment of watching her sister play, especially the joy on Liz’s face after a big play. 

Now, with Liz back in Blacksburg, she’s experiencing gameday from a different perspective. Her playing days may be over, but for both sisters, Virginia Tech will always be home. 

"The fanbase has stayed so supportive and consistent over my time here, and even though I’m not on the team anymore, they’ve continued to embrace me and my family like no other," Liz said. "It truly means the world to me. The fact that people come up to Raven in public and mention her orange wig or her support is just so cool, and it makes me feel so welcome and so loved because of the way they’ve treated my sister and my family.” 

"It just feels like home,” Raven added. “It just feels like she's never stopped playing,"  

Autism Friendly Game 

Show your support for families like the Kitleys at the annual Autism Friendly Game on Sunday, Dec. 21, when Virginia Tech hosts Radford at noon in Cassell Coliseum. This sensory-friendly experience features an enriching and exciting gameday environment, a designated SAFE Space in the Student-Athlete Performance Center at Cassell, and fidget toys for early arriving fans at the Promotions Booth by Section 101. Purchase your tickets for the matchup here.