Gridiron success aids Audi Henderson executives

As the college football season winds its way into the season-ending bowl games, Audi Henderson has a pair of former collegiate punters who definitely left their marks.

General Manager Jim Diguilio was a standout punter at Indiana University from 1991 to 1994; while Sales Manager Brian Parvin was the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' punter from 1990 to 1992.

Diguilio, a four-year starter for the Hoosiers, had a career average of 41.5 yards. He had 195 punts including a school record 86-yarder Oct. 24, 1992, against Wisconsin.

"It went about 70 yards in the air," recalled Diguilio, a Columbus, Ohio, native who moved to Las Vegas in 1998 to work for Findlay Toyota. "The receiver from Wisconsin looked up and immediately started running backwards. It was pretty good."

Parvin's highlight is that he is one of only a few All-Americans in the history of UNLV football. Also, he has the second-highest career average at UNLV of 44.3 yards behind legendary quarterback-punter Randall Cunningham.

Parvin was third in the nation his senior year with a 46.3 average. He was named to the 1992 Football News All-American team.

The men's time on the field served them well on their road to the car business.

Parvin went to work for Rich Abajian at Saturn of West Sahara in January 1995 after serving as assistant coach for the Rebels under Jeff Horton. Abajian is also a former UNLV assistant football coach.

"The car business can be very difficult and you learn to bounce back," said Parvin. "Like football, the car business is filled with details and we have to be on our toes."

Diguilio, who ended his career playing in the Hula Bowl in January 1995, concurred.

"I think athletics can play an important role in personal development. My son Parker plays baseball, and my daughter Regan plays soccer. I fully support both of them with that challenge. In addition, Audi Henderson is a proud sponsor of the Southern Nevada Soccer Association. It's something we believe in."

Findlay Automotive Group has many former athletes including former Nevada Southern University star Cliff Findlay, who now serves as the group's chairman.

Justin Findlay, Cliff's oldest son, was a standout golfer and cross-country competitor at the University of San Francisco. He is now operations director of Findlay Chevrolet, Findlay Volkswagen and Audi Henderson.

Parvin's son Tyler played football for Liberty High School and was in the recent state championship game.

"I hope the lessons and experience he is getting now will carry over into his life as it did mine," said Parvin, a 41-year-old Pomona, Calif., native.

Diguilio, 40, added, "We have built Audi Henderson from the ground up and the same attention to detail, commitment and attitude required for athletics has helped us become the largest Audi store in Nevada."

Diguilio said Audi Henderson has been recognized by Audi of America with two Magna Society Elite Awards, the highest honor an Audi dealership can achieve. The dealership was one of only eight in the country to earn the award, and accomplished the feat back-to-back in 2010 and 2011.

Audi Henderson, at 7740 Eastgate Road in the Valley Automall, is part of Findlay Automotive Group founded more than 50 years ago by the late Pete Findlay, whose son, Cliff Findlay, now oversees new and used car dealerships in Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Idaho.

Call 702-982-4600 or visit www.audihenderson.com for further information.