When you work in sports, there’s a point when something happens to your fandom, even if you’re lifelong loyal to one team. It’s not a thing that turns the fan dial. It’s a person. Or people. When friends play, coach, represent someone or work on a team’s staff, you find yourself cheering for their success, your fantasy or hometown team be damned.
Kenny Klein, who took his talents to St. John’s University for a couple of basketball seasons after decades as an administrator and sports information director at the University of Louisville, made me a Cardinals fan before I worked full-time in sports PR. Even today, when I see a U of L logo, it means something special because of him.
I know, you’re saying, “This is a public relations newsletter.” I promise you, this is very much a PR topic. The best kind, in fact.
Klein is the gold standard of communications pros in the country, regardless of industry. He’s detailed, flexible and thorough but won’t lose his ish if something goes sideways. He’s respected by media and everyone else up and down chains of command. He’s unassumingly personable. He’s made the best-of-the-best look dynamic and helped others see light through dark times. He’s the constant, whether he takes the PR reins at a university, coordinates the celebrity box at the Kentucky Derby or manages the stats crew each year at the Final Four. Oh, and I dare you to find a bigger Jimmy Buffett fan.
Kenny experienced a medical emergency last week that landed him in the hospital, where he continues to tough it out. [Aside: learn the Heimlich maneuver and learn it well.] Word spread throughout the country quicker than a Jacob Misiorowski fastball in the ninth inning. My heart hurts.
Retired sports reporter and columnist Rick Bozich texted me something below, which led me to ask a handful of others to answer what makes Kenny Klein one of, if not the best, PR specialists around. You’ll see their answers below, along with what Bozich said to me.
PR SIDEeffect • Haven’t seen someone you care about in weeks, months, even years? Don’t let “We’ll see you down the road” be just an idea. Make it happen soon and more frequently. We don’t fu**ing know what tomorrow brings (sorry not sorry — it’s been a week). Love your people. Love fiercely.
Oh, the PR part: Be kind. Be helpful. Give media more than they expect and it will come back to you and who you represent, tenfold.
Rick Bozich, retired Louisville-based journalist
“To me, Kenny is the University of Louisville – more important than presidents. ADs and coaches. Those people come and go. Kenny is forever.
“Kenny Klein got Louisville through all the mud. Media was more likely to give the school the benefit of the doubt because of KK. His handling of the Crum-to-Pitino (basketball coaches Denny Crum and Rick Pitino) handoff was amazing. That was a delicate dance because the Crum people were pissed.
“He bridged those two factions perfectly. I’m not a big hyperbole guy, but there’s only one KK.
Doug Vance, former Executive Director of CoSIDA (now College Sports Communicators), sports information director at three schools
“It’s difficult for me to adequately summarize the love and admiration for Kenny and the pride I have in his achievements. He’s been like my little brother for most of my adult life and I’m heartbroken about what happened to him.
“Someone recently posted that Kenny represents the gold standard in college sports communicators, and I believe that compliment best reflects the feelings of so many of us who count him as a friend or colleague. You have no better friend if you are a friend of Kenny.
“From the first moment Kenny walked into my office as a new student at Austin Peay many years ago, wearing bright red high tops and a red baseball cap with ‘LZ’ on it, the one thing that always set him apart was his willingness to take on any challenge and make whatever effort necessary to get the job done.
“Kenny is a behind-the-spotlight kind of person, as are most of us in the profession, and I’m certain he would not like being the subject of this story. My wife, Sue, and I are praying for Kenny, Donna and his sons – his many friends around the country – that this story has a happy ending.”
DeWayne Peevy, senior vice president and director of athletics, DePaul University (previously, University of Kentucky’s athletics)
“Kenny Klein is one of the very best communicators in college athletics because he never forgets that relationships matter most. He has a unique ability to navigate the most intense moments with professionalism, credibility and calm, while treating people with respect and kindness.
“The industry is better because of Kenny, and so are the countless people fortunate enough to call him a friend.”
Jeff Schneider, author and former U of L sports information assistant
“Kenny is, by far, the hardest worker I’ve ever been associated with, and I’m certainly hoping that work ethic will pay off with the new challenge he’s facing. We’ve been friends and peers since 1985. And like any person who has ever met him, I’ve always cherished his friendship and dedication to his job and relationships.
“We need more Kenny Kleins in this world. No doubt about that.”
Tom Huet, Emmy Award-winning sports producer/director
“Kenny Klein: Communication master to the stars!
“There is no situation, good, bad or when covering a championship team, in which he is simply the best and a model for all to follow. Keep grinding and making all of those people associated with you look fabulous, Kenny. We all know what you do behind the scenes.”
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