The University of Louisville community and the world of collegiate athletics are mourning the loss of Kenny Klein, the longtime Sports Information Director and Senior Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations, who died at the age of 66. Klein, whose career at Louisville spanned nearly four decades, was widely regarded as one of the most respected communications professionals in college sports and a beloved ambassador for the Cardinals.
According to family members and university officials, Klein died after suffering a tragic choking incident on June 11. He never regained consciousness and spent his final days surrounded by family and close friends. In keeping with his lifelong commitment to helping others, his family also shared that he was an organ donor, allowing his legacy to continue through the lives of others.
A native of Southside, Tennessee, Klein graduated from Murray State University with a degree in journalism before beginning his career in collegiate athletics. In 1983, at just 23 years old, he became the youngest Sports Information Director at an NCAA Division I football institution when he accepted the position at the University of Louisville. Over the next 39 years, he became one of the most recognizable and respected figures in the Cardinals’ athletic department.
Throughout his remarkable career, Klein served as the primary media contact during some of Louisville’s most memorable moments, including multiple conference championships and two NCAA men’s basketball national championship seasons. His professionalism, attention to detail, and calm leadership earned him the trust of coaches, student-athletes, journalists, and administrators across the country. He also coordinated the computerized statistics operation at every NCAA Final Four from 1987 through 2025, a testament to the respect he commanded throughout collegiate athletics.
Klein’s contributions were recognized with numerous honors. He was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. Even after retiring from Louisville in 2022, he continued to serve the sport he loved, working as a special adviser with the men’s basketball program at St. John’s under longtime friend and Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.
Tributes have poured in from across the sports world following news of his passing. University officials described Klein as “synonymous with Louisville,” while coaches, former players, journalists, and colleagues remembered him as a humble, selfless professional who always placed others before himself. Many credited him with mentoring generations of sports communicators and helping shape the careers of countless individuals through his guidance and generosity.
Those who knew Kenny personally often spoke of his warmth, integrity, and unwavering loyalty. Despite his many accomplishments, he consistently preferred to remain behind the scenes, dedicating himself to promoting others rather than seeking recognition for himself. His kindness, humility, and genuine concern for people made him not only an outstanding communications leader but also a treasured friend.
Visitation and funeral services have been scheduled in Louisville, where family, friends, colleagues, and members of the athletic community will gather to celebrate a life devoted to service, excellence, and compassion.
Kenny Klein leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that extends far beyond statistics, press conferences, and championship celebrations. His influence will continue to be felt throughout the University of Louisville and across collegiate athletics, where he set the standard for professionalism, integrity, and humanity. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.