As you all know by now, Thursday evening the world lost one of the top professionals in College Basketball & more importantly the world lost one of the top human beings. Kenny Klein passed away at the age of 66. Way too soon. Me and the team at CSZ alongside some of my close friends were telling stories and sharing thoughts about Kenny. I will include those here. Kenny made sure everyone was always taken care of and no matter the situation he could navigate it and make it seem like it was no big deal. He was a captain and a navigator.
I met Kenny for the first time in 1996. He was helping out with the Football team at that point as well. Helped usher in our new AD Tom Jurich & introduced us all to him. After I left UofL I didn’t hear from him for awhile. In 2005 I came back to Louisville to finish up my degree and did an unofficial internship with Louisville Basketball. From the minute I met Kenny this time he acted like we had knew each other for years. Once I told him I met him back in 96 he acted like he remembered me, and he may have, but told me that he was happy to have me back. Then in 2011 we started CSZ and the first person I talked to was Kenny. He told us what we should do & shouldn’t do. There were many times we were on the air that we would get calls during breaks from him and he would suggest that we probably should stray away certain things or if they needed positive talk about things he would share that too. There wasn’t a year go by that I didn’t hear from him, see him out or see him at a NCAA sanctioned event. When my Dad passed away Kenny popped in to the visitation alongside Rocco. Meant the world. When I was in the hospital for 3 months in bad shape, I got more messages from Kenny telling me to pray and that I needed to fight and that I would make it than I did from some of my family. Lol.
He was a Father figure professionally to many at UofL. Kim, Nancy, Rocco, Lori, Stephen, Garrett, Chuck & J-Noe, just to name a few, that I interacted with frequently. Some of the best always mentioned how upset they were when Kenny left. Not one person has ever shared a negative Kenny story because there isn’t one. Even if he didn’t like you then you wouldn’t know. Lol.
One of the people whose life he touched exponentially was our beat writer and loved one, the late Ben Gumbel. He grew up with Kenny, loved him, was in awe of him & wanted to be close to him. So when he joined CSZ he requested to cover Men’s Basketball for us & I obliged. He had a blast covering the Cards, even through the Payne. UofL made sure after Ben passed in 2025 to set up some flowers in Ben’s normal spot. I gotta think Kenny had something to do with that even though I am not sure. Now I truly believe they are hanging out talking Louisville Basketball once again. He was the exact reason I always help everyone who asks.
He was a friend, a mentor, a colleague & one of the best people that have ever walked this earth. We love & will miss him & are praying for his family & their comfort through this difficult & unexpected time.
So I was talking to the fellas last night and wanted to share some of their thoughts and stories with you. I could go on and on and on with mine but I wont. Lets start off with SENIOR writer & Head of Photography for CSZ, Jeff Nunn had to say followed by everyone else.
Jeff Nunn:
Around 10 years ago I was brought on staff at Cardinal Sports Zone. I was writing a weekly article called Nunnsense and photographing most sporting events. I already knew who Kenny Klein was and in my mind, he was already a Cardinal legend, although I had never met him. The first time I saw him in the press box and introduced myself, I was nervous. To me, he was Cardinal royalty. But after talking to him, it took about 10 seconds before he made me feel comfortable. Week after week, I saw him interact with every media member, every staff member, every visiting team personnel, every intern, every volunteer, everyone. It didn’t matter who it was, he treated them all the same. He was just the guy that was happy to be there and happy to help any and everyone that needed it.
Kenny’s appreciation for the media went above and beyond any normal SID. Kenny started a media golf outing called The Press Box Classic, to show his appreciation for the coverage we all provided. I was lucky enough to play in many years of the golf scramble. One year, it rained pretty good and the rest of my team decided to quit playing. I still wanted to play but I had no teammates. Kenny saw me sitting by the clubhouse and said, “Where is your team?” I said, “they quit.” Kenny replied, “C’mon and play with us. We are just having fun.” I didn’t really know Kenny that well and he didn’t need to extend the invite, but that’s just the type of guy he was.
Kenny was also involved with helping handle media for the KY Derby. I saw him out there every year and he always had a moment to stop and at least say hello, even though we were outside of normal UofL media working conditions. It just didn’t matter because he was one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He is one of maybe three people I’ve ever met that you can’t find anyone that has something negative to say about him.
In regards to what Kenny meant to the University, I don’t think that is measurable. I’m sure there will be many tributes to him this upcoming year. No matter how big or how many there are, it will never be enough. But that’s my opinion. With all due respect to Lamar, Angel and several others, I believe Kenny is, and always will be, the GOAT of Cardinal athletics. Raise his banner!
I’m really gonna miss seeing him around Louisville. I’m thankful and forever grateful for the time I had with him and appreciative that he took the time to help me grow and learn when it comes to media relations. He also showed so many of us how to do things the right way by simply working hard and leading by example.
I will continue to pray for his family and those close to him as they grieve.
Peyton Siva
Going to miss him. Truly one of one. Praying for his wife Donna, kids & the rest of the family. I have never seen Kenny have a bad day, I am going to miss the random text messages he use to send to check up on me and my family
Sam Basden
I had very limited interactions with Kenny. But when I did it was always a handshake and a smile. He was always nice and super respectful and I appreciated that.
Dalton Pence
There will never be another one like him. A true professional in the college sports realm, that made a lasting impact on people’s lives because of the kindness and compassion that he display every single day. You can tell the story of Louisville athletics without talking about Kenny Klein
Nolan Smith
I met Kenny Klein as a young man running around Louisville Tennis camps and Coach Pitino Basketball camps… The love, smile and support I got from him even when I decided to go to Duke never changed!! He was as genuine!!
When I returned to Louisville as a Coach, he was the bright spot in my day when I saw his smiling face even though times were rough!!
Kenny was just a special human being in this business that chose LOVE everyday and he LOVED UofL and he loved my family!!!
I have been praying that he pulled through and I have been heartbroken since hearing the news!!!
Love to Donna & the kids!!
Asaad Ali
Reece Gaines
Kenny was there for me and a big part of my life since I was 18. He was always there if i needed him and never asked me for anything. I am heartbroken. I love Kenny.
Kevin Ware
Kenny was a great human being full of kindness. His positive presence touched so many people. My thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Steve Rummage
There will never be another Kenny Klein. There aren’t enough words to describe what he has meant to the city of Louisville! The biggest heart and smile and was more kind to myself than he ever had to be. There is a hole in this city that will never be filled but we have a duty to be kind and help the next generation just like KK did!
Alvin Sims
Kenny to me was a very inspirational person. He was always on point and perfectionist at his job. I used to call him Clark Kent from the Superman movies because of his style and demeanor was similar. He was Superman for sure with his craft and he was noticed for his work by the NCAA. After I left U of L he was one the first I went to visit returning to campus. He would sit down and catch up in his office.
He also kept me in the loop when Rick Pitino became coach because the whole basketball department became unfamiliar to me and Denny Crum’s alumni. If I asked for tickets he never hesitated to leave them at will call at any event. I wished I had one more conversation with him before this tragedy. Gone too soon. I love you Cardinal Brother!
Willie Clarkson
Tyra. Unseld. Bridgeman. Griffith. Crum. Ellison. Smith. Pitino. Each defined an era in Louisville basketball history but the story of Louisville basketball cannot be told without Kenny Klein.
I only had one opportunity to meet Kenny during the team’s hotel sendoff, in Omaha, during the 2025 College World Series. Though we exchanged only a few words, he made me feel like I was the only person in the room.
Kenny transformed the role of sports information director and left an enduring mark on Louisville Athletics and collegiate sports communications. I respectfully ask that his name be placed in the rafters alongside the other Cardinal legends.
Mike Rutherford
Chris Redman
Kenny was one of the hardest working and kind man I have ever known! Very selfless and a great friend he will be missed dearly! Prayers to the Klein family!!
We will add more if people send them to us. God bless you all.
