Valvo Cleared To Practice, Signs To Practice Squad
February 27, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Buffalo Destroyers News Release
(BUFFALO, NY)- The Buffalo Destroyers announced today that they have signed Cheektowaga native and Buffalo State alum OL/DL Mark Valvo to the practice squad.
Valvo originally signed with Buffalo as a free agent in the off-season while he recovered from partial quadriceps tendon tears in both of his knees, an injury he suffered with the Indiana Firebirds last season. Destroyers team doctor Marc Fineberg examined Valvo and has cleared Valvo to begin practice.
"It is now very realistic that Mark will play a lot of football for us this season," said Destroyers head coach Ron Selesky. "He had some problems coming back from this injury and he should be ready to play in a few weeks. It is no longer if, but when and getting Mark back on the field is not only a boost for us in performance but in leadership as well.
Valvo spent 10 seasons with the Albany/Indiana Firebirds organization, the most seasons in a Firebirds uniform of any past or present Firebird. He is tied for the second most years of service to one team in AFL history. Valvo was a member of the Firebirds ArenaBowl XIII championship team in 1999.
Valvo was a 2002 inductee to the Buffalo State Athletics Hall of Fame. Valvo anchored the Bengals offensive line from 1988 until 1992 and was twice named First Team All-ECAC. In 1991, Valvo became the first Bengals football player to be named All-American, putting Buffalo State on the map among Division III schools.
In other transactions, the Destroyers waived OL/DL Antonio Anderson and WR/DB Mel Miller. They have also signed WR/DB Jason Collins-Baker to the active roster from the practice squad. Collins-Baker (5-9, 180, Cincinnati) played four years (1997-2000) at the University of Cincinnati and ranks fifth all-time with 107 receptions. As a senior, Collins-Baker had 32 receptions for 306 yards and two touchdowns.
The Destroyers are home to play the Chicago Rush this Saturday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the HSBC Arena. Mini packs and group tickets are on sale now, call the Destroyers ticket office at 716-881-4444! Single game tickets can be purchased online at tickets.com and at all tickets.com locations including Tops Friendly Markets or by phone at 1-888-223-6000.
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