UNLV mourns sudden death of devoted supporter Abajian

Rich Abajian, general manager at Findlay Toyota and devoted supporter of UNLV athletics, died Tuesday night of an apparent heart attack, his brother, Scott, posted on Facebook.

Abajian, who was inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame in 2008, was 62. He was the driving force behind the creation of the Hall in 1997, and it is housed at Findlay Toyota.

"We are devastated about losing our dear friend Rich Abajian and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jo Ann, and the entire family," UNLV athletic director Tina Kunzer-Murphy said in a statement. "Rich was a giant in this community when it came to being successful in business and then using that success to help others. His love of this city, of UNLV and especially the Rebel football program is well known. Rich was warm, generous, talented, competitive and inspiring, and it is truly a sad day for Southern Nevada and our entire university."

Tributes poured into Abajian's Facebook page, including from some who played football for the Rebels or had some other connection to the program. Though Abajian loved UNLV's athletic program as a whole, he had a special place in his heart for football and was a regular presence at even road games.

"It's fitting that the greatest friend of UNLV Football's final posting on Facebook last night was promoting a former Rebel player (Rodelin Anthony) getting a coaching job," Mark Wallington, the longtime sports information director of UNLV football, posted on Facebook. "Always proud of his Rebs!

"A great man who will be sorely missed."

Abajian, who played football at UNR, went to UNLV in 1977 as a graduate assistant before becoming the secondary coach, a position he held until 1981.

"Very sad we lost our old coach & friend Rich Abajian last night," ESPN anchor Kenny Mayne, a backup quarterback for the Rebels from 1979 to 1981, posted on Twitter. "The list is long of those he helped @unlvfootball."

UNLV football coach Tony Sanchez was among them.

"Rich Abajian was such a big supporter of this school and UNLV football, and he will be deeply missed," Sanchez said in a statement. "It didn't matter what the year was, who the staff was, Rich was steadfast in his support of the Rebels, and that is something special."

Abajian's death also was felt in the UNLV basketball program.

"We lost an incredible friend Rich Abajian last night," former UNLV basketball coach Dave Rice tweeted. "Community leader and a difference maker in ALL of our lives."

"Embraced me with open arms right when I got to UNLV," tweeted Justin Hawkins, who played from 2009 to 2013. "A great man and mentor to me throughout my years. You will truly be missed, RIP Rich."

UNLV interim coach Todd Simon echoed those sentiments.

"Rich was a great supporter and inspiration to everyone here at UNLV," Simon said in a statement. "He was also a mentor to me since I first arrived in Las Vegas, and we have all lost a true friend."

Abajian went into the automobile business in 1983, eventually rising to become not only a part owner of Findlay Toyota but also chief operating officer of the Findlay Automotive Group.

Through that time, he became one of the top supporters of UNLV's athletic program.

Abajian also was nearly obsessive about working out, making the way he died that much more shocking to those who knew him best.

Abajian is survived by Jo Ann; son, Bruce; and three grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65