Overview
- Kenny Klein died on Thursday, June 25, 2026, after a choking episode at a Louisville restaurant on June 9 left him hospitalized and unconscious.
- Family members and friends held an honor walk as Klein remained in hospital and his organs were donated to help others, the family said.
- Klein began as Louisville’s sports information director in 1983 at age 23 and served the school for more than four decades, officially retiring in June 2022 but continuing to work with the basketball program through 2024.
- He coordinated computerized statistics at roughly 40 NCAA Final Fours and received major industry honors including induction into the CoSIDA Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.
- The university, former coaches including Rick Pitino, and NCAA leaders issued tributes to Klein’s generosity and service, and a public visitation has been scheduled at Highlands Funeral Home.