Former University of Louisville sports information director Kenny Klein dies

Kenny Klein, a former University of Louisville sports information director who was known in athletics communications circles, has died, WLKY reported on Thursday evening, citing an online notice about his death and his longtime role at the school.

WLKY said Klein was a beloved figure connected to University of Louisville sports information operations, a position that involves helping manage game-day communications and public-facing athletics coverage for fans and media.

The report did not provide additional details about Klein’s age, the circumstances of his death, or any surviving family members, and no cause of death was specified in the available coverage.

In his sports information director work, Klein would have been part of the university’s process for distributing official athletic information, including statistics and game notes, coordinating with media outlets, and ensuring that communications from athletics departments matched institutional records and timelines.

Sports information directors also typically play a role in preserving institutional history for programs, helping document seasons and achievements in ways that become part of the school’s long-term public record.

The death of a senior athletics communications staffer can affect how quickly teams’ game-week materials are produced and approved, especially around scheduling peaks, though the available report did not describe any immediate staffing or transition plan at the University of Louisville.

Grief and tributes have commonly followed such losses within collegiate athletics communities, and WLKY’s account framed Klein as a figure remembered for his presence and contributions within the university’s sports information work.

Funeral or memorial arrangements were not detailed in the available reporting, leaving the timing and format of any services unclear as of publication.