Remembering Kenny Klein
Kenny Klein, a longtime sports information director for Louisville Athletics, died on June 25 at the age of 66, leaving a void in the university’s athletic community.
Over his career he chronicled 1,309 consecutive games, a streak that began in 1983 and continued through the tenures of coaches Denny Crum and Rick Pitino, and later adapted when the program transitioned from Chris Mack to Kenny Payne and then to Pat Kelsey.
A Career of Consecutive Service
Klein’s longevity was matched by his deep relationships with coaches, players and staff, who recall his steady presence through countless seasons.
Voices of Grief
John Heird, Louisville’s athletics director, praised Klein’s ability to navigate difficult situations with steadiness and grace, while ACC commissioner Jim Phillips described him as a great friend and trusted colleague.
Tributes highlighted his humility and kindness; Jeff Walz, head coach of the women’s basketball team, noted Klein’s willingness to help, and Jeff Brohm, football coach, called him the embodiment of the growth of Louisville Athletics.
Former players such as Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Damion Lee spoke of Klein’s mentorship in media handling, with Mitchell saying Klein showed him how to be a professional, and Lee calling him one of the kindest souls he’d ever known.
The Louisville Society of Professional Journalists remembered Klein’s professionalism, humor and fairness, and his impact resonated across the broader sports and media landscape.