Tag Archives: Kenny Klein

Remembering the G.O.A.T.

College Sports,

The story has been shared.

So it shall be again.

My personal experience underscoring why recently departed former U of L SID Kenny Klein was unequivocally the best ever to do what he did.

It was early March of ’99. The year before, U of L had missed the NCAA tourney because of a 12-20 campaign. Despite an underwhelming 19-10 record including a loss to Charlotte in the C-USA tourney final, the Cardinals got an at large bid to return to the Dance, and were headed to Orlando to face Creighton.

While still practicing law, I was also covering sports for LEO (which was still robust and mattered as a weekly alternative paper). The papers owners, seriously connected Louisville Cardinal diehards Blanche Kitchen and John Yarmuth, were to send me to cover the game, if they could get me on as a member of the U of L contingent.

At the time, my day gig was prosecuting in Juvenile Court as a member of the Jefferson County Attorney staff.  We had a workroom behind the courtroom, with a phone to contact witnesses and police officers when necessary.

It was not for personal use. Only two people knew the number. The division chief. His assistant.

I was neither. Continue reading Remembering the G.O.A.T. →

Thursday Throwdown: Bam, B**** & Kenny Klein

Basketball, College Sports, Recruiting,

Let’s start with my appreciation for and thanks to Kenny Klein, U of L’s retiring SID.

He is, as has been universally reported, a professional of the highest order. And a mensch.

My personal favorite Kenny Klein moment came near the end of the ’98-’99 hoops season, when U of L was slated to return to the NCAA after a 12-19 clunker the year before.

I had convinced John Yarmuth, my LEO editor, and Blanche Kitchen, my publisher, to actually send me on their dime to the Cards’ opening round games in Orlando. They weren’t sure whether there would be a spot on the U of L flight down.

I was still also prosecuting at the time in Juvenile Court. The County Attorney had an office behind the court room, with a phone, the number of which I didn’t even know. We essentially used it to call out and track down cops and prosecuting witnesses we needed for court.

Still unsure of whether I would make the journey or not that week before the Cards were to meet Creighton in Orlando, I’m advised I have a call.

“Hello?”

“c d, this is Kenny Klein. We’ve got a spot for you on the team plane and a hotel room.” Continue reading Thursday Throwdown: Bam, B**** & Kenny Klein →