The players, coaches and staff are the most notable members of any college sports team. But behind the scenes, the sports information director (SID) plays a key role in their success by providing information to members of the media and ensuring that press credentials are properly distributed.
At Louisville and later St. John’s, Kenny Klein did that job with passion, professionalism and integrity. That is why his loss is very heavy for everyone who worked alongside him.
“Kenny Klein is the most selfless person I’ve met in my lifetime. His humility and talents were qualities I admired greatly. My heart breaks with the loss of such a great friend and person,” Klein’s longtime friend and head coach Rick Pitino said.
On the evening of June 25, the athletic department announced that Klein died surrounded by his family at his home in Louisville. He was 66-years-old.
His death stems from a choking incident at a restaurant in Louisville two weeks ago, according to WDRB. He was hospitalized and never regained consciousness.
In one final act of selflessness, Klein’s organs will be donated to those in need.
Klein leaves behind his wife, Donna, who is also a beloved member of St. John’s athletics. He is survived by two sons and two grandchildren.
“Words fail to convey what Kenny Klein meant to our men’s basketball program, our athletic department and to me,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed Kull said.
“I knew of Kenny’s reputation in the industry before he came to St. John’s, but every day that he was here, he impressed me in some new and profound way.”
Before coming to Queens, Klein was already an established figure in college athletics. A graduate of Murray State, Klein became the youngest SID in NCAA Division I football at Louisville. He then transitioned over to basketball, where he worked alongside Hall of Fame head coach Denny Crum.
As Klein worked tirelessly behind the scenes, the Cardinals won 13 conference tournaments and 11 regular-season championships. Louisville made 27 NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching four Final Fours and winning two national titles in 1986 and 2013.
Klein also oversaw the publicity for 34 NBA draft picks who came out of Louisville. When the team failed to reach the championship game, Klein was courtside overseeing the statistical process at each of the last 40 Final Fours.
“There has not been a more beloved and respected college basketball administrator than Kenny Klein,” NCAA vice president of basketball Dan Davitt said. “While Kenny was recognized as a leader at Louisville for decades, he also contributed to the NCAA as a veteran member of the media coordination team.”
“Kenny was a treasured friend and valued colleague by everyone in the game who had the good fortune of knowing him. His genuine kindness, warm personality and fun-loving spirit will be dearly missed, especially within the college basketball community.”
For his efforts, he was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame in 2015. Two years later, he was inducted into the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame.
Outside of basketball, Klein was a mainstay at the Kentucky Derby. He also contributed to the Professional Golf Association of America (PGA) during the Championship and the Ryder Cup. Most notably, Klein helped run alumni events for Murray State when they reached the College Baseball World Series in 2025.
Klein retired from collegiate athletics in 2022, but came out of retirement in January 2025 to assist Pitino at St. John’s for what was supposed to be a short stint.
Those few weeks turned into two seasons, as he contributed to the Johnnies winning consecutive Big East regular-season and tournament titles under Pitino, who revitalized the once-struggling program.
“In the brief but memorable time that Kenny was part of our St. John’s team, his impactful contributions and professional examples were deeply appreciated and respected,” St. John’s President Rev. Brian J. Shanley said. “He was always the consummate professional and a valued off-campus neighbor to me.”
Beyond his work for the basketball program, Klein became the most trusted voice in the athletic department, leveraging his experience and knowledge to advise the Red Storm on every front. His warm and welcoming demeanor made him a mentor to countless members of the staff.
“Scripture reminds us, ‘For if we have been united with him in a resurrection like his.’ On behalf of the entire St. John’s family, I extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the Klein family, as well as to the many friends and colleagues who were proud to know him,” Shanley concluded.
