St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Mourns the Loss of Kenny Klein
6/25/2026 11:01:00 PM | General, Men's Basketball
Hall of Fame athletic administrator spent the last two seasons at St. John’s
QUEENS, N.Y. – One of the most decorated, respected and adored individuals in the field of college athletics, Kenny Klein passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 66 in his home city of Louisville.
Klein, who spent four decades leading Louisville's sports information department before retiring in 2022, came to St. John's in January of 2025 to assist his longtime friend, Rick Pitino, for what was scheduled to be just a few short weeks. Instead, Klein stayed on for two seasons, winning a pair of BIG EAST Championships while helping to reshape the culture of an entire athletic department.
"Kenny Klein is the most selfless person I've met in my lifetime," said Pitino. "His humility and talents were attributes I admired so much. My heart breaks with the loss of such a great friend and person. My love is with Donna and the Klein family during this very difficult time. RIP Kenny. The Pitinos all love you so much."
Beyond his work with Pitino and the men's basketball program, Klein quickly became the most trusted voice in the St. John's Athletic Department, leaning on his vast experience and knowledge to advise the Red Storm on every foreseeable front. A perfect gentleman with a warm and welcoming demeanor, he immediately became a mentor to countless members of the staff who will miss his wisdom, charm and wit.
"Words fail to convey what Kenny Klein meant to our men's basketball program, our athletic department and to me, personally," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed Kull. "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. I will never be able to thank Kenny and Donna Klein enough for what they have done for St. John's. Kenny leaves impossible shoes to fill, but he made every single one of us better at what we do."
Despite being officially affiliated with the school for less than 18 months, Klein's impact at St. John's went beyond the athletic department.
"In the brief but memorable time that Kenny was part of our St. John's team, his impactful contributions and professional example were deeply appreciated and respected," said Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P, President, St. John's University. "He was always the consummate professional and a valued off-campus neighbor to me. Scripture reminds us, 'For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be 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. We join in mourning this tragic loss."
In the field of sports information, Klein's credentials were without equal. A 2015 inductee into the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame, Klein was enshrined in the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame two years later.
"KK was simply one of the best in the world of college athletic communications," said John Paquette, longtime senior associate commissioner at the BIG EAST and a former CoSIDA president. "He was universally respected and liked, a Hall of Famer on every level. Kenny was a model professional who was a close friend to so many of us, whether it be at Louisville, St. John's, the BIG EAST and beyond. We will miss him dearly."
In 2012, Klein received the Katha Quinn Award from United States Basketball Writers Association, a sign of gratitude from the media members whom he served with distinction for more than 40 years.
"When Kenny Klein received the Katha Quinn Award from the United State Basketball Writers Association in 2012, he was celebrated for his professionalism and kindness at the University of Louisville over a period that would extend to 39 years," said USBWA Executive Director Malcolm Moran. "When he was called to help out during the past two seasons as a special advisor at St. John's, Katha's campus, a new audience quickly learned to trust a presence that was both authoritative and understated. On every level, local, regional and national, USBWA members have been grateful for his counsel. We extend our condolences to his wife, Donna, his sons Alex and Brady, and his extended family."
A 1981 graduate of Murray State, Klein began his career as the sports information director for two seasons at Morehead State. In July of 1983, he took over at Louisville, where he became the youngest SID in NCAA Division I Football at 23. When he transitioned into basketball, Klein first worked alongside Hall of Fame Head Coach Denny Crum. Over the next four decades, Klein and the Cardinals won 13 conference tournaments and 11 regular season crowns. With Klein on staff, Louisville Men's Basketball earned a berth into 27 NCAA Tournaments and advanced to four Final Fours, including a pair of national championships in 1986 and 2013. He oversaw the publicity of 34 NBA Draft picks and nine All-Americans during his time with the Cardinals.
When his beloved Cardinals failed to advance to the tournament's final weekend, Klein was still courtside at the sport's biggest stage, overseeing the statistical crew at each of the last 40 Final Fours.
"There has not been a more beloved and respected college basketball administrator than Kenny Klein," said Dan Gavitt, the NCAA's senior vice president of basketball. "While Kenny was recognized as a leader at the University of Louisville for four decades, he also contributed to the NCAA as a veteran member of the media coordination team, overseeing the statistics operations at 40 Final Fours. Kenny was a treasured friend and valued colleague by everyone in the game that 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 and at the Final Four. On behalf of the NCAA staff and basketball committee, we extend our deepest condolences to Kenny's family and friends."
"I really got to know Kenny through the BIG EAST days, the great run for Louisville and Rick Pitino," said Bill Raftery, one of the preeminent television voices in college basketball who has called each of the last 11 Final Fours. "He was always so accommodating and worked with everybody, no matter what your position or who you represented. He went out of his way to paint a good picture of Louisville. His days recently with St. John's, for me, became special because I had more time with him, going to Rick's practices, chatting with him and reminiscing. Above all, every Final Four he was the coordinator for the statisticians and the network, and you never had to worry when he was in the house. He was more concerned about your work than you may have been. He was a gentleman, a class act and we're all going to miss him terribly. The impact he's had, particularly in the basketball world and the sports world, not only is it impactful, but his personality, the way he went about his business was so admirable. God bless him."
The Final Four was far from the only high-profile event that enlisted Klein's assistance. He was mainstay in the press box at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. The PGA of America often called on Klein, bringing him on board for several PGA Championships and Ryder Cups. When his alma mater, Murray State, made the College World Series in 2025, they asked Klein to help run alumni events in Omaha.
A native of Southside, Tenn., Klein leaves behind his wife, Donna, who also became a beloved member of the St. John's Athletics family over the past two years. Klein is survived by two sons, Louisville graduates Alex and Brady, and two grandchildren, Clark and Iris.
In one final act of true selflessness, Klein, an organ donor, will give the gift of life to strangers throughout the country.
Klein, who spent four decades leading Louisville's sports information department before retiring in 2022, came to St. John's in January of 2025 to assist his longtime friend, Rick Pitino, for what was scheduled to be just a few short weeks. Instead, Klein stayed on for two seasons, winning a pair of BIG EAST Championships while helping to reshape the culture of an entire athletic department.
"Kenny Klein is the most selfless person I've met in my lifetime," said Pitino. "His humility and talents were attributes I admired so much. My heart breaks with the loss of such a great friend and person. My love is with Donna and the Klein family during this very difficult time. RIP Kenny. The Pitinos all love you so much."
Beyond his work with Pitino and the men's basketball program, Klein quickly became the most trusted voice in the St. John's Athletic Department, leaning on his vast experience and knowledge to advise the Red Storm on every foreseeable front. A perfect gentleman with a warm and welcoming demeanor, he immediately became a mentor to countless members of the staff who will miss his wisdom, charm and wit.
"Words fail to convey what Kenny Klein meant to our men's basketball program, our athletic department and to me, personally," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed Kull. "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. I will never be able to thank Kenny and Donna Klein enough for what they have done for St. John's. Kenny leaves impossible shoes to fill, but he made every single one of us better at what we do."
Despite being officially affiliated with the school for less than 18 months, Klein's impact at St. John's went beyond the athletic department.
"In the brief but memorable time that Kenny was part of our St. John's team, his impactful contributions and professional example were deeply appreciated and respected," said Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P, President, St. John's University. "He was always the consummate professional and a valued off-campus neighbor to me. Scripture reminds us, 'For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be 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. We join in mourning this tragic loss."
In the field of sports information, Klein's credentials were without equal. A 2015 inductee into the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame, Klein was enshrined in the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame two years later.
"KK was simply one of the best in the world of college athletic communications," said John Paquette, longtime senior associate commissioner at the BIG EAST and a former CoSIDA president. "He was universally respected and liked, a Hall of Famer on every level. Kenny was a model professional who was a close friend to so many of us, whether it be at Louisville, St. John's, the BIG EAST and beyond. We will miss him dearly."
In 2012, Klein received the Katha Quinn Award from United States Basketball Writers Association, a sign of gratitude from the media members whom he served with distinction for more than 40 years.
"When Kenny Klein received the Katha Quinn Award from the United State Basketball Writers Association in 2012, he was celebrated for his professionalism and kindness at the University of Louisville over a period that would extend to 39 years," said USBWA Executive Director Malcolm Moran. "When he was called to help out during the past two seasons as a special advisor at St. John's, Katha's campus, a new audience quickly learned to trust a presence that was both authoritative and understated. On every level, local, regional and national, USBWA members have been grateful for his counsel. We extend our condolences to his wife, Donna, his sons Alex and Brady, and his extended family."
A 1981 graduate of Murray State, Klein began his career as the sports information director for two seasons at Morehead State. In July of 1983, he took over at Louisville, where he became the youngest SID in NCAA Division I Football at 23. When he transitioned into basketball, Klein first worked alongside Hall of Fame Head Coach Denny Crum. Over the next four decades, Klein and the Cardinals won 13 conference tournaments and 11 regular season crowns. With Klein on staff, Louisville Men's Basketball earned a berth into 27 NCAA Tournaments and advanced to four Final Fours, including a pair of national championships in 1986 and 2013. He oversaw the publicity of 34 NBA Draft picks and nine All-Americans during his time with the Cardinals.
When his beloved Cardinals failed to advance to the tournament's final weekend, Klein was still courtside at the sport's biggest stage, overseeing the statistical crew at each of the last 40 Final Fours.
"There has not been a more beloved and respected college basketball administrator than Kenny Klein," said Dan Gavitt, the NCAA's senior vice president of basketball. "While Kenny was recognized as a leader at the University of Louisville for four decades, he also contributed to the NCAA as a veteran member of the media coordination team, overseeing the statistics operations at 40 Final Fours. Kenny was a treasured friend and valued colleague by everyone in the game that 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 and at the Final Four. On behalf of the NCAA staff and basketball committee, we extend our deepest condolences to Kenny's family and friends."
"I really got to know Kenny through the BIG EAST days, the great run for Louisville and Rick Pitino," said Bill Raftery, one of the preeminent television voices in college basketball who has called each of the last 11 Final Fours. "He was always so accommodating and worked with everybody, no matter what your position or who you represented. He went out of his way to paint a good picture of Louisville. His days recently with St. John's, for me, became special because I had more time with him, going to Rick's practices, chatting with him and reminiscing. Above all, every Final Four he was the coordinator for the statisticians and the network, and you never had to worry when he was in the house. He was more concerned about your work than you may have been. He was a gentleman, a class act and we're all going to miss him terribly. The impact he's had, particularly in the basketball world and the sports world, not only is it impactful, but his personality, the way he went about his business was so admirable. God bless him."
The Final Four was far from the only high-profile event that enlisted Klein's assistance. He was mainstay in the press box at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. The PGA of America often called on Klein, bringing him on board for several PGA Championships and Ryder Cups. When his alma mater, Murray State, made the College World Series in 2025, they asked Klein to help run alumni events in Omaha.
A native of Southside, Tenn., Klein leaves behind his wife, Donna, who also became a beloved member of the St. John's Athletics family over the past two years. Klein is survived by two sons, Louisville graduates Alex and Brady, and two grandchildren, Clark and Iris.
In one final act of true selflessness, Klein, an organ donor, will give the gift of life to strangers throughout the country.
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