As a senior, Kitchel led tiny Lewis Cass High School to a 20–0 regular season record and its first sectional title in 1978.

His freshman season in 1978–79 was limited to one game due to injury and Kitchel watched from the bench as the Hoosiers won the 1979 National Invitation Tournament.

[2] In the Summer following his junior year, Kitchel and IU teammate Jim Thomas were named to the USA men's national team for the 1982 FIBA World Championship in Cali, Colombia.

[3] Following his college career, Kitchel was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the 1983 NBA draft (41st pick overall),[4] but did not make the final roster.

[5] Since the end of his playing days, Kitchel has remained a familiar face to IU fans as color commentator for Indiana games on regional television.