Mark Valvo-A Career Worth Noting
Steve Sgambelluri
Sunday July 30, 2000
"She`s always been there for me," Valvo said. "I can remember her at my Little League games as a kid, and now she`s still screaming at my games as an adult." However, this jersey has more to it than meets the eye. Instead of the inscription "Valvo" on the back, Mark Valvo opted for two letters less, "Mom."
"I knew she`d love [the jersey]," Valvo said. "What I didn`t know was that she would wear it to every single game. My mom has helped me through it all. She`s as much responsible for me being here as I am."
Whoever may be responsible, Albany Firebird fans are surely grateful that Mark Valvo still wears the white and black every week. A graphic design graduate from Buffalo State, Valvo owns the title of having the longest tenure of any Firebird. Add that to his resume, mix in his priorities and throw in his mental toughness and you`ve got a recipe for success.
"It`s a nice statement," said Valvo on his tenure status. "I do take a lot of pride in being a Firebird. I made a lot of sacrifices to play this game." Valvo, who is currently in his eighth season with Albany, points out that being a offensive/defensive linemen, it`s tough to really get noticed, especially when he played with some of the best in the business, namely Freddie Gayles, Eddie Brown, Mike Perez and currently Mike Pawlawski.
"What I do, it`s tough to get a lot of glory," Valvo said. "I`m not a big play guy. But I blocked for a lot of the big play guys. Lots of those guys lead in the record books. It really makes me smile when I can say that I blocked for the best."
However, Valvo is certainly content with his current position. He doesn`t hide his enthusiasm about the city of Albany and doesn`t hesitate to reveal his high thoughts of Firebirds head coach Mike Dailey. "I love him," Valvo said. "He can motivate anyone in any situation. He`s also very wise, not just as a football coach, but as a man. I learned more about life than football from him."
As for life lessons, Valvo may have an edge in that category. In the off-season, Valvo works at the Albany County Jail as a correctional officer. That position alone can be eye-opening, but Valvo looks at the positives that come with it, rather than the negatives. "It`s hard to say you enjoy going into a negative environment everyday," Valvo said. "I work with some really good guys. If you don`t get caught up in the negatives, it`s a good job. The people are enjoyable."
Valvo also relates his job in the prison with his job on the field. "You definitely have to watch your back," Valvo admitted. "Just like I protect Mike Pawlawski, I have to protect the fellow officers. A lot of teamwork is involved and lots of discipline." Valvo has good setup with his work. He must leave his job when the arena football season comes around, however he is able to assume his position when the season is over.
Aside from football and work, Valvo has one more thing he`d like to try. During his first or second year with the Firebirds, Valvo and former teammate Freddie Gayles were talking about pro wrestling. After practice, Valvo and Gayles were playfully wrestling when a reporter picked up on it and told Valvo that he would good at wrestling. That`s all Valvo needed to hear. From that day, the dream of being a pro wrestler has lived inside of Valvo.
"It would be so much fun to do," said Valvo, who claims he enjoys taking in both the WWF and WCW. "If the opportunity came around, I would love to do it." But for now, Valvo is all about his football career.
A captain and one of the team`s leaders, Valvo has been a solid contributor for the Firebirds, with great plays on pass protection, covering the already mentioned Mike Pawlawski. And with this being his eighth season with Albany and playing such a physical sport for so long, one would wonder when Valvo will call it a career.
"If I`m still having fun, I`m going to play," Valvo said. "I would hate to cash in my chips when the league gets big. I would hate to call it quits before my time." Valvo will miss many things though when he does decide to take his pads off for good. "I`ll miss going to the pre-game meals, or messin` around in the training room before we get taped," said Valvo, who said he`d also miss his close relationships with teammates Kyle Moore-Brown and Joe Jacobs.
But the way Valvo is going, retirement seems more doubtful than ever. He and the Firebirds won their first ever ArenaBowl Championship last season, something that was equally special to Valvo, who had been around to see both the losing seasons and now, of course, the winning ones.
"What a feeling," Valvo said. "To actually say that you`re the best; it made me quite emotional. You think about where you came from and where you`re at. How many times in your life can you actually say that you were the best?" In Valvo`s case, quite a few.
However, being the best doesn`t always have its rewards, it`s celebrations or parties. Sometimes being the best is a state of mind, something that Mark Valvo knows he is, by way of his accomplishments and the person that he is today. Mark Valvo`s goes by the nickname, BIGGS. Take some time and follow that supported scream of Valvo`s mother. Find that replica jersey, sporting number 79 and simply smile in her direction. For Mark Valvo has proven to be BIGGS on the field; he`s definitely proven to be BIGGS in the workplace; and hopefully, one-day he`ll be BIGGS in the wrestling ring. However, thanks in large part to his mother`s support and guidance, Mark Valvo is BIGGS, in life.
Steve Sgambelluri was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2000 to 2001.
