Article: AFTER SIX FAILURES, VALVO SAVORS HIS REWARD.(SPORTS)

Byline: TIM REYNOLDS Staff writer

ALBANY -- He is the longest-tenured Albany Firebird, having seen six previous seasons end with unfulfilled championship dreams.

In years past, when the season ended, Mark Valvo would go drown his sorrows. This time, he sipped celebratory champagne. His Firebirds finally are the Arena Football League champions.

``This is the pot of gold at the end of the tunnel,'' Valvo said. ``This is why you do this -- to get the ring.''

Valvo doesn't exactly come from a championship-laden background. He played his college football for Division III Buffalo State, which claimed one trophy in his four years -- an ECAC ...

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