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Kenny Klein, the longtime Louisville Athletics sports information director of nearly four decades, died on June 25. He was 66.
During a June 18 meeting of the University of Louisville Athletic Association board, athletics director Josh Heird said Klein had been hospitalized after "a pretty tragic event a week ago" and was "battling to survive."
He was known for his work with the men's basketball program, for which he worked 1,309 consecutive games from 1983 to 2022, including two national titles. Klein worked alongside head coaches Denny Crum and Rick Pitino, then moved into a part-time position as a consultant when the program changed from Chris Mack to Kenny Payne.
Former Louisville basketball head coach Rick Pitino: "Kenny Klein is the most selfless person I've met in my lifetime. His humility and talents were attributes I admired so much. My heart breaks with the loss of such a great friend and person. My love is with Donna and the Klein family during this very difficult time. RIP Kenny. The Pitinos all love you so much."
Louisville athletics director John Heird: "In this profession, there are moments that test people — moments filled with pressure, heartbreak, controversy and change. Time and time again, I watched Kenny navigate those moments with a steadiness and grace that I have never seen replicated. He treated people with respect, never made anyone feel small, and had a remarkable ability to bring calm to even the most difficult situations. Then when the storm ended, Kenny remained trusted, respected and beloved- from all sides. I’ve tried to learn from it because it is much harder than it looks. Kenny made it seem effortless. What Kenny built at Louisville over four decades was far more than a career, it was a standard. A standard for how to treat people, how to represent an institution with integrity, and how to love this work without ever losing sight of what matters most. We will miss him dearly. We’ll miss his voice, his laugh and especially his signature grin. We are forever grateful for the example he set for all of us."
ACC commissioner Jim Phillips: "The ACC mourns the passing of Kenny Klein, a great friend and trusted colleague who was loved by all. He served the University of Louisville for nearly four decades and his reach extended far beyond any one school, sport and conference. Kenny was a tremendous ambassador of college athletics but more importantly, he was an incredible friend and family man. We send our deepest condolences to his wife Donna, sons Alex and Brady and their respective families as well as his countless friends and colleagues."
Louisville Society of Professional Journalists: "Kenny Klein was an institution in Louisville's sports and media landscape whose knowledge, professionalism, humor and fairness endeared him to generations of local and national media. He made it easy to tell the stories of U of L basketball, the Kentucky Derby and countless other moments that shape our community. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void. We extend our condolences to all who loved him.
Louisville women's basketball head coach Jeff Walz: "Kenny Klein was one of the first people that helped me befriend the Louisville media 20yrs ago. Kenny has always been someone I could ask any question to and he was always willing to help. He was not only a colleague, but a friend. Kenny will be dearly missed by me, and so many others. He was a friend to all. My heart goes out to Donna and his entire family. My family will continue to pray for them and ask God to give them strength and peace through this difficult time."
Louisville men's basketball head coach Pat Kelsey: "Kenny Klein’s impact and legacy around our program will be felt forever. Although I never had the honor of working with him, I learned quickly how beloved and respected he was. He is a legend in college athletics and set the standard for SIDs and administrators around the country. We know how much he loved his Louisville Cardinals and how much our community and city loved him back. My prayers are with Donna, his sons Alex and Brady, and the rest of his family and friends."
Louisville football head coach Jeff Brohm: "Louisville has lost a friend and a legend, and we are heartbroken. Kenny Klein was the embodiment of the growth and rise of Louisville Athletics over these past decades, as his impact goes all the way back to before I was even a player here. He was an advisor, confidant, spokesperson, and strategist for so many coaches, and his combination of expertise and good humor made him the gold standard in the media relations profession. God bless Kenny, and our condolences go out to his family and many friends."
Former Louisville forward and head coach Kenny Payne: "There are no words to express the magnitude of what Kenny Klein means to Louisville Athletics and the basketball community as a whole. God gave me the pleasure and joy to have him and Donna in my life as a kid and as an adult. My family and I will miss our friend deeply and we pray that all who knew him never let him leave our minds and hearts. We lost a great human being!"
Former Louisville basketball head coach Chris Mack: "I am beyond saddened that the world has lost Kenny Klein. My family and I had been praying daily for a different outcome. Kenny was so genuine and held such a unique excitement for other people’s successes. I’m heartbroken for his wife Donna, sons Alex and Brady, their family and all the friends and colleagues whose lives Kenny touched. My family and I will be praying for peace and understanding through their unimaginable loss."
Former Louisville basketball associate head coach Richard Pitino: "Kenny Klein meant so much to me and my family. He impacted so many lives in our game. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We will miss him dearly. He was a special person and I’m so grateful to have known him."
Cleveland Cavaliers guard and former Louisville player Donovan Mitchell: "I'm devastated to hear what happened to Kenny. My prayers are with his family, the Louisville community, his friends and everybody who knew him. He was such a great guy. He took me in as a freshman and really just kind of showed me the ropes and showed me how to handle media, how to handle people, how to handle myself, and how to be a professional. He was more than that. He was everywhere.
I remember diving into him in the crowd for a loose ball and he was the first person there to catch me. That describes who he was as a person. He was the true professional. A class act with a great family. My thoughts and prayers are with the Klein’s — please know the Louisville community is behind you and we love you. To Kenny, rest in peace, my man. Thank you for everything you've done for me, the community - for everyone. We appreciate you. We love you forever. And as always, Go Cards."
Former Louisville guard Damion Lee: "One of the kindest souls I’ve ever been around. There’s not enough words that can be used to show our appreciation of your impact on all of us. 10 years ago and the jokes of a lifetime. I’m honored to call you a friend! We’ll miss you brother."
Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at [email protected] and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
Reach sports trending writer Alaina Morris at [email protected] and follow her on X at @alainammorris.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville community reacts to death of longtime staffer Kenny Klein
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During a June 18 meeting of the University of Louisville Athletic Association board, athletics director Josh Heird said Klein had been hospitalized after "a pretty tragic event a week ago" and was "battling to survive."
He was known for his work with the men's basketball program, for which he worked 1,309 consecutive games from 1983 to 2022, including two national titles. Klein worked alongside head coaches Denny Crum and Rick Pitino, then moved into a part-time position as a consultant when the program changed from Chris Mack to Kenny Payne.
How the sports world has reacted to Klein's death
Former Louisville basketball head coach Rick Pitino: "Kenny Klein is the most selfless person I've met in my lifetime. His humility and talents were attributes I admired so much. My heart breaks with the loss of such a great friend and person. My love is with Donna and the Klein family during this very difficult time. RIP Kenny. The Pitinos all love you so much."
Louisville athletics director John Heird: "In this profession, there are moments that test people — moments filled with pressure, heartbreak, controversy and change. Time and time again, I watched Kenny navigate those moments with a steadiness and grace that I have never seen replicated. He treated people with respect, never made anyone feel small, and had a remarkable ability to bring calm to even the most difficult situations. Then when the storm ended, Kenny remained trusted, respected and beloved- from all sides. I’ve tried to learn from it because it is much harder than it looks. Kenny made it seem effortless. What Kenny built at Louisville over four decades was far more than a career, it was a standard. A standard for how to treat people, how to represent an institution with integrity, and how to love this work without ever losing sight of what matters most. We will miss him dearly. We’ll miss his voice, his laugh and especially his signature grin. We are forever grateful for the example he set for all of us."
ACC commissioner Jim Phillips: "The ACC mourns the passing of Kenny Klein, a great friend and trusted colleague who was loved by all. He served the University of Louisville for nearly four decades and his reach extended far beyond any one school, sport and conference. Kenny was a tremendous ambassador of college athletics but more importantly, he was an incredible friend and family man. We send our deepest condolences to his wife Donna, sons Alex and Brady and their respective families as well as his countless friends and colleagues."
Louisville Society of Professional Journalists: "Kenny Klein was an institution in Louisville's sports and media landscape whose knowledge, professionalism, humor and fairness endeared him to generations of local and national media. He made it easy to tell the stories of U of L basketball, the Kentucky Derby and countless other moments that shape our community. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void. We extend our condolences to all who loved him.
Louisville women's basketball head coach Jeff Walz: "Kenny Klein was one of the first people that helped me befriend the Louisville media 20yrs ago. Kenny has always been someone I could ask any question to and he was always willing to help. He was not only a colleague, but a friend. Kenny will be dearly missed by me, and so many others. He was a friend to all. My heart goes out to Donna and his entire family. My family will continue to pray for them and ask God to give them strength and peace through this difficult time."
Louisville men's basketball head coach Pat Kelsey: "Kenny Klein’s impact and legacy around our program will be felt forever. Although I never had the honor of working with him, I learned quickly how beloved and respected he was. He is a legend in college athletics and set the standard for SIDs and administrators around the country. We know how much he loved his Louisville Cardinals and how much our community and city loved him back. My prayers are with Donna, his sons Alex and Brady, and the rest of his family and friends."
Louisville football head coach Jeff Brohm: "Louisville has lost a friend and a legend, and we are heartbroken. Kenny Klein was the embodiment of the growth and rise of Louisville Athletics over these past decades, as his impact goes all the way back to before I was even a player here. He was an advisor, confidant, spokesperson, and strategist for so many coaches, and his combination of expertise and good humor made him the gold standard in the media relations profession. God bless Kenny, and our condolences go out to his family and many friends."
Former Louisville forward and head coach Kenny Payne: "There are no words to express the magnitude of what Kenny Klein means to Louisville Athletics and the basketball community as a whole. God gave me the pleasure and joy to have him and Donna in my life as a kid and as an adult. My family and I will miss our friend deeply and we pray that all who knew him never let him leave our minds and hearts. We lost a great human being!"
Former Louisville basketball head coach Chris Mack: "I am beyond saddened that the world has lost Kenny Klein. My family and I had been praying daily for a different outcome. Kenny was so genuine and held such a unique excitement for other people’s successes. I’m heartbroken for his wife Donna, sons Alex and Brady, their family and all the friends and colleagues whose lives Kenny touched. My family and I will be praying for peace and understanding through their unimaginable loss."
Former Louisville basketball associate head coach Richard Pitino: "Kenny Klein meant so much to me and my family. He impacted so many lives in our game. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We will miss him dearly. He was a special person and I’m so grateful to have known him."
Cleveland Cavaliers guard and former Louisville player Donovan Mitchell: "I'm devastated to hear what happened to Kenny. My prayers are with his family, the Louisville community, his friends and everybody who knew him. He was such a great guy. He took me in as a freshman and really just kind of showed me the ropes and showed me how to handle media, how to handle people, how to handle myself, and how to be a professional. He was more than that. He was everywhere.
I remember diving into him in the crowd for a loose ball and he was the first person there to catch me. That describes who he was as a person. He was the true professional. A class act with a great family. My thoughts and prayers are with the Klein’s — please know the Louisville community is behind you and we love you. To Kenny, rest in peace, my man. Thank you for everything you've done for me, the community - for everyone. We appreciate you. We love you forever. And as always, Go Cards."
Former Louisville guard Damion Lee: "One of the kindest souls I’ve ever been around. There’s not enough words that can be used to show our appreciation of your impact on all of us. 10 years ago and the jokes of a lifetime. I’m honored to call you a friend! We’ll miss you brother."
Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at [email protected] and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
Reach sports trending writer Alaina Morris at [email protected] and follow her on X at @alainammorris.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville community reacts to death of longtime staffer Kenny Klein
Continue reading...
