Kenny Klein may have retired in 2023, but he never left as far as University of Louisville fans were concerned. The former Sports Information Director at UofL remained close to the school, his former colleagues, and current coaches. Always a Cardinal, he remained a familiar face at Louisville games.
UofL fans were pleased when former UofL coach Rick Pitino convinced Kenny to step into a similar role for two years at St. John’s University in New York. It was great to see that familiar face on press row during games at Madison Square Garden. It was also good to see former UofL Vice President of Athletics Tom Jurich and his family in the front row at times—reminders of the good times the three shared at Louisville.
Klein was the one who survived the difficult days of the past decade, when UofL lost its president, its athletic director, and its head basketball coach. Tumultuous times. It was a period that could have taken a heavy toll, but Kenny persevered, providing some much-needed stability for Louisville fans during the upheaval.
Kenny Klein. Good ol’ Kenny. Calm, steady, dedicated, conscientious, and sensitive to the needs of those he served—whether legacy media, social media, fan message board regulars, or the average fan. He admired and respected them all, regardless of their stature.
Unfortunately, Kenny has passed from this life. He was unable to recover after an unfortunate incident during a meal with Pitino and other close friends at Jack Ruby’s Restaurant in Louisville. Gone too soon at the age of 66. Although he had retired, Kenny was in the prime of his life and immensely enjoying his times in Manhattan.
Back in 2011, when my son Steve was competing in Volvo’s Biggest Fan of the Big East contest, Kenny made a point of introducing himself. All the contestants were participating in Big East media days at Madison Square Garden. Steve had traveled from Murray, Kentucky, to Manhattan—his first trip ever to the big city. Kenny made him feel at home and told him to call if he needed anything. A friendly face was exactly what he needed.
As part of the contest, Steve received free tickets to the UofL–Kentucky basketball game. It was a big deal—his first trip to the KFC Yum! Center—and he was greatly excited, with his wife Casey accompanying him. One of his tasks was to write a post for UofLCardGame after the game and include some photos. Unfortunately, a security guard grabbed him and escorted him out of the arena, even though he was wearing a visible press pass. One of the happiest days of his young life was ruined by an overzealous security guard eager to play the hero, you know the type. (He did make it back in for the second half, thanks to other security personnel.)
Kenny felt awful about the experience, apologizing to Steve on two occasions. He would also express regrets to me. That shared experience, along with the fact that both Steve and Kenny had graduated from Murray State University, cemented our relationship. Kenny was overjoyed when Steve won the national competition.
Another favorite memory is when a photo I had taken of Kyle Kuric and his soon-to-be wife Taraneh appeared in the Courier-Journal sports section a day or two after he proposed to her at a UofL commencement ceremony. I was surprised to see it and sent a bill for the photo to Harry Bryant, the sports editor. Bryant refused to pay and referred me to Kenny. I was never going to bill the sports information office, and we had a good laugh about it. Kenny promptly sent me three UofL golf shirts to make things right.
Imagine my surprise a couple of years later when Kenny would set down in the lawn chair next to me at our football tailgating group. He would stay for about an hour swapping stories, enjoying the food, and joining us in several rounds of bourbon shots. Just one of the guys. He was at home, whether with a bunch or ordinary fan in the Red Lot or with the high rollers in the luxury suites.
Kenny never failed to respond to a phone call or email, no matter how big or small the request. He always seemed to have the answer on the tip of his tongue, and he was nearly always correct. If he didn’t have it immediately, he would get back in touch promptly.
Upon his retirement in 2023, he was honored by the local sports media during a reception at then-Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. The jumbotrons were lit up wishing Kenny a happy retirement. He received an engraved Louisville Slugger bat from Hillerich & Bradsby and an engraved bottle of Maker’s Mark from the distillery.
The highlight, however, was Athletic Director Josh Heird’s announcement that a Kenny Klein banner would hang from the rafters at the KFC Yum! Center. Tears flowed freely from the eyes of a man who rarely showed emotion. It was a fitting and well-deserved honor for someone who had devoted much of his life to UofL athletics.
Somewhere someone may be walking around with Kenny Klein’s heart, one of his wishes was to be an organ donor. He will still bestowing blessings long after his departure.
Louisville was always in the best of hands with Kenny around. He will be missed terribly.
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A 2015 inductee into the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame, Klein also worked one season as a student assistant in sports information at Austin Peay State University and was a sports writer for the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle.
Klein’s career dedication led to his induction into the state’s Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. He received the 2012 Katha Quinn Award, presented by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association in recognition for providing outstanding service to media covering college basketball.
He coordinated the statistics operation for 36 NCAA Final Fours, a permanent fixture at midcourt with his Louisville crew. He also assisted with media operations for the Kentucky Derby. He was the local media center committee chairman for the 1996, 2000 and 2014 PGA Championships in Louisville, and served in a similar capacity for the 2008 Ryder Cup and 2004 and 2011 Senior PGA Championships.
