Louisville legend Kenny Klein dies at 66
LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 20: Damion Lee #0 of the Louisville Cardinals and Kenny Klein the sports information director at the University of Louisville celebrate following the 71-64 win over the Duke Blue Devils at KFC YUM! Center on February 20, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesIts been almost 20 years, and I think this is the most Ive ever not wanted to write something on Card Chronicle. Kenny Klein, the beloved former Louisville Sports Information Director, died Thursday night. He was 66. Klein had a choking incident at a local restaurant on the evening of June 9 and never regained consciousness. Kleins final hours were spent the way he would have wanted: Surrounded by family and friends who showed up to say their farewells, and then even more who showed up for an Honor Walk celebrating Kleins status as an organ donor. Nearly every time former U of L mens basketball head coach Rick Pitino tried to explain his love for the University of Louisville, he couldnt help but invoke Kleins name.All you have to do if you want to know about how special this place is, is to look at Kenny Klein. Kenny is the very best at what he does, and he could have taken any number of jobs over the years, probably could have wound up being an athletic director somewhere. Instead he chose to stay here because he sees, just like I do, how special a place this is to work. And Im glad he did because hes one of my best friends.During Pitinos tenure, Kleins career at U of L predated just about everyone else who occupied an office on Floyd Street. Klein graduated from Murray State in 1981 with a degree in journalism, and then just two years later accepted the Sports Information Director position at Louisville. Just 23-years-old, Klein was the youngest SID at an NCAA Division I football institution.I felt incredibly prepared, Klein told The Courier-Journal in 2014. The man Id worked under at Austin Peay and Murray State, Doug Vance, is now the executive director for the College Sports Information Directors of America. I learned under a great person. But it was a bit overwhelming, because really it was myself, one student assistant and Kathy Tronzo, whos my assistant to this day.My first year at Louisville I was so excited, because Street and Smiths college yearbook sent out a letter asking for material and I sent them some pictures of Milt Wagner and said Hey, you might consider these for your cover. And it was the cover. I was so thrilled. Man, I was so pumped to see that.After that, Klein was a fixture at the center of U of L athletics. In addition to serving as Louisvilles SID, Klein also held the title of Senior Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations. His sterling reputation also rewarded him with the opportunity to coordinate the computerized statistics operation at every NCAA Final Four from 1987 through this past year. Like Pitino, Klein was also a Hall of Famer. He was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame in 2015, and into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.Ive had so many people around the country just reach out and its been overwhelming, Klein said after his 2015 induction. Completely overwhelming, but very much appreciated. When you work trying to promote others for so long, personal accolades are not something youre comfortable with or seeking in any way. They are nice when they come but, you know, I could walk out of here without a word said from somebody else and be happy and know that things went well during my time here.Klein is the rare example, perhaps the only example, of a modern human being with not just no enemies, but no one who is willing to utter a bad word about the subject in question. Youve undoubtedly read some of the dedications and seen the quotes. The reason is simple: In every single situation, he put other people first. Thats what I view my thing as Im trying to help people, Klein said in 2017. How can I do that in my role? What can I write? How can I connect these people to national media? How can I make this television announcers job better by providing him quality information on our guys that can make the telecast better? That in turn makes it better for our fans to watch. How can I help people? Thats really the way I view my job.There are few people Ive had to say goodbye to in my life who I will miss more. He was the best, and hell always be the best.
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