Veteran Louisville Sports Information Director Kenny Klein Passes Away at 66

It has been nearly two decades, and I find myself reluctant to compose this tribute for Card Chronicle.

Kenny Klein, the cherished former Louisville Sports Information Director, passed away Thursday night at the age of 66. He suffered a choking episode at a local restaurant on the evening of June 9 and never regained consciousness.

In his final moments, Klein was surrounded by family and friends offering their condolences, and a larger gathering honored his legacy as an organ donor during an Honor Walk.

Whenever former Louisville men’s basketball head coach Rick Pitino sought to articulate his affection for the University of Louisville, he invariably referenced Kenny Klein.

“To understand how remarkable this institution is, look to Kenny Klein. He excelled in his role and could have pursued other positions, possibly as an athletic director, yet he chose to remain here because he, like me, recognizes the unique value of this workplace. I am grateful he did, as he is one of my closest friends.”

While Pitino was at Louisville, Klein’s tenure there began long before most of the staff on Floyd Street had even joined the university.

Klein earned a journalism degree from Murray State in 1981 and, two years later, assumed the Sports Information Director role at Louisville. At 23, he became the youngest Sports Information Director in an NCAA Division I football program.

“I felt remarkably prepared,” Klein told The Courier-Journal in 2014. “Doug Vance, my mentor at Austin Peay and Murray State, now serves as executive director of the College Sports Information Directors of America. Though I learned from a distinguished leader, the transition was initially overwhelming, as I was the sole senior staff member, accompanied by one student assistant and my longtime colleague, Kathy Tronzo.”

“In my first year at Louisville, I was thrilled when Street and Smith’s college yearbook requested material; I submitted photos of Milt Wagner, which they featured on the cover. I was exhilarated to see my work published.”

Subsequently, Klein became a central figure in U of L athletics. In addition to his role as Sports Information Director, he also served as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations. His distinguished reputation enabled him to oversee the computerized statistics operation for every NCAA Final Four from 1987 up to the most recent edition.

Like Pitino, Klein was also honored as a Hall of Famer, being inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.

“I’ve received countless messages from across the country, which has been overwhelming,” Klein said following his 2015 induction. “It is deeply appreciated. After dedicating my career to promoting others, personal honors are not something I actively pursue. Still, I would be content without any further recognition, confident that I served well during my time here.”

Klein exemplifies rarity — perhaps the sole contemporary figure who has no detractors and whose character is uniformly praised in dedications and quotes.

The explanation is straightforward: In every circumstance, he placed others before himself.

“My purpose is to assist people,” Klein explained in 2017. “How can I contribute through my role? What can I write? How can I connect these individuals with national media? How can I improve a television announcer’s work by supplying quality information on our athletes to enhance the telecast, thereby enriching the fan experience? Helping people is the essence of my profession.”

Few individuals have I had to bid farewell to whom I will miss more deeply. He was exceptional, and his legacy endures.

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