The Bandettes at the NLL All-Star Game

Members of Lauren B's line signing autographs

Carissa and Melissa

Lauren K and Stephanie C

The 11th NLL All-Star Game finally made its way to Buffalo Saturday night in front of the most passionate fans in the NLL and those in attendance were treated to a close game that ended with the West coming out on top by a score of 20-18 after the East had held onto a strong lead throughout the 1st half. Like other All-Star Games, this game pitted the best players in the league against each other. Unlike the Pro Bowl, which is held at a neutral site and features the top cheerleaders from each team in the NFL, the NLL All-Star Game, when held at the home of one of the league's teams, features that team's dance squad. In this year's case, it was the Buffalo Bandettes, long recognized as one of the very best in the NLL. In advance of this game, the Bandettes got their posters made up and, when fans came into the game, the girls were autographing and handing them out to fans from as far away as Everett, Washington, home of the Washington Stealth.
When I got there, I started checking out the Fan Fest festivities, which included a wing-eating contest conducted by Bull from 103.3 The Edge while the Bandettes were on the field putting the finishing touches on a few performances. Before too long though, the Bandettes made their way up to the 100 level and started greeting the fans with posters, smiles, autographs, and photo ops. Afterwards, and while Kirsten's line was taking a circuit around the concourse, I headed down to my seat to get set to watch the top players in the NLL square off. With a few weeks away from the game, the Bandettes had time to put together not one, but two brand new performances which they put on display in pregame and at 1st intermission.

Stephanie C, Stephanie O, Lauren K, Kirsten, and Noelle
about to welcome the NLL All-Stars to the floor

Stephanie O "The Champ" celebrating an East goal

Captains Kirsten and Lauren B

Stephanie O, Krista, Melissa, Alicia, and Chelsea in action at halftime

See all the pics at http://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/4771

Next up for the Bandettes, it's back to regular season action as the Bandits play host to the Colorado Mammoth next Saturday night. Faceoff is at 7:30 but be sure to show up before 7 to be sure to get your Bandettes posters and get them signed by the 18-member squad of the hottest dance team in the NLL!

Bandette of The Week Ria

This week, we take a look at rookie Ria as our Bandette of The Week. A former Miss Greater Rochester, Ria spent much of her reign working to protect women and children from abuse. One of the first Bandettes Ambassadors the squad has had, Ria, Amanda, and Ashley spend most of their time during games making suite visits similar to what the Jills Ambassadors do at the Ralph. A future attorney, she's currently the only married girl on the squad although that's changing in the near future with now two girls with wedding bells in the planning stages.You can read more about Ria at http://www.bandits.com/bbio.asp?bandID=RiaG Ria's secondary photo comes from the Opener against the Toronto Rock. Shown posing for a photo as the dancers are lined up to go out for halftime are Ashley, Ria, and Amanda.

Ashley, Ria, and Amanda

Buffalo Jill of The Week Gabrielle

This week, we take a look at 3rd year dancer Gabrielle as our Jill of The Week. It can be said that all the Jills love the camera but there are a few girls who actively make sure they get some great photos at every game and event. Gabby has been one of those girls throughout her time on the squad, making sure to give the camera a big smile everytime she passes by. She spent gamedays in 2011 on one end of Valerie's line next to Kelly but, unfortunately for Buffalo, this was her last season. In addition to the fact she loved getting on camera as much as the next girl, she was also one of the fittest girls on the squad, probably only topped in the time I've been closely covering the squad by Adrienne of the 2005 Ambassador Squad. Even with only 3 years on the Jills, Gabby's had a wealth of experiences. In one of her first appearances, she volunteered for the dunk tank at Merritt Winery's Strawberry Festival. Unfortunately, the temperature that day was in the high 50s so the water wasn't exactly fun to get dunked into for her...yet she kept smiling through it all. Thankfully this past August's Jills Golf Tournament featured much warmer weather for her second time in a dunk tank. She also was one of the girls who went it Iraq on a troop visit in late 2010, getting to ride in C130's and Blackhawk helicopters while over there visiting the troops. You can read more about Gabby at http://tiny.cc/amig4 Gabby's secondary pic comes from the Kid's Day preseason game. On their way out for pregame, a few of the girls stopped for photos. Shown posing for the camera are Krystin and Gabrielle.

Krystin and Gabrielle

As seen in the tryout video she was in with Jaclyn at 1st cuts, Gabby not only has an incredible physique, but is an ace at dancing with it.

Jills site relaunched!

As some may know, Entercom Communications is taking over from Cumulus in regards to the Buffalo Bills Radio Network broadcasts. What isn't as widely known is that the Jills are also no longer being run by Cumulus. Instead, a new company, Stejon Productions, was formed to run the Jills and Jills director Stephanie Mateczun is the President. After getting all that made official, a new website was designed and today, after the rights to the BuffaloJills.com domain were switched over, the new site has been launched!!
Check it out at http://buffalojills.com/index.php

FAN FEST ADDED TO NLL ALL-STAR GAME FESTIVITIES

Buffalo Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations Scott Loffler today announced that the Bandits and the National Lacrosse League have teamed up to host a “Fan Fest” before the 2012 NLL All-Star Game on Feb. 25 at First Niagara Center. The pre-game festivities, free for fans with a ticket to the game, will begin at 4 p.m.

Fans are invited to help celebrate the first NLL All-Star Game ever held in Buffalo and will have the chance to meet some of the best lacrosse players in the world. Featured events for the Fan Fest include autograph sessions with NLL All-Stars and Bandits players and a La Nova chicken-wing eating contest with celebrity guest judges.


The festival will also feature “Fan Foto” areas where fans can take pictures to create lasting memories of the event, face painting tables for both adults and kids, music spun by a guest DJ, a performance by the Buffalo Bandettes dance team, and mascots from various NLL teams that will be on hand to mingle with fans. The event will be hosted by Bull from 103.3 The Edge. The first 1,500 fans to enter the Fan Fest will receive a free game program.
Read the rest at http://www.bandits.com/newsX.asp?type=News&aID=304

Jills Awards!!

The Buffalo Jills held their annual end-of-year banquet this past Saturday night and as is custom, a number of the girls received some awards.

• Rookie of the year: Jenny (dance) & Rebecca (Ambassador)
• Veteran of the year: Emily
• Captain of the year: Christina
• Miss Congeniality: Valerie (dance) & Ruby (Ambassador)
• Outstanding Jill: Laura
• Most calendar sales: Miranda 
• Most appearances: Rebecca

Congratulations to all the award-winners as well as to the entire squad on a job well-done!

In addition, there's been some disappointing news as well in the form of 3 veterans moving on. 3rd year vet Gabrielle has already moved away from Western NY and 4th year vet Murissa has been talking about it as well. Adding to their ranks is 5th year veteran Ambassador Amanda F but she's staying in Western NY so we'll hopefully still see her on a semi-frequent basis at events and the like.

Bandette of The Week Krista

This week, we take a look at 2nd year vet Krista as our Bandette of The Week. Dancing on Kirsten's line on gamedays, Krista is kind of like the girl next door in that she's easy to talk to and always ready to help out a friend. She's down-to-earth and a good listener as well as ready to give advice to friends whenever she can. As is the case with a lot of girls on the Jills and Bandettes, it was a close friend who helped her decide to join the squad last year. In this case, it was current Bandettes captain Lauren B. It's really no big surprise that they get along so well...they are, after all, a pair of chatterboxes at times, The difference is that Lauren used to be pretty timid when she first joined the squad...Krista has always been anything but. You can read more about Krista at http://www.bandits.com/bbio.asp?bandID=Krista Krista's secondary photo comes from the recent game against the Washington Stealth. Shown posing for a photo at the end of the 1st quarter are Lauren B and Krista.

Lauren B and Krista

Buffalo Jill of The Week Morgan

This week, we take a look at the Jills' lone early departure from the squad in 2011. After spending 2010 on Christina's line, Morgan left the Jills just prior to the 1st preseason game and is now with the Toronto Raptors Dance Pak. She'd love to become a Victoria's Secret Model but would also love to get Erin Andrews' job as an on-field sports reporter. Short of either of those, she's also looking at becoming a teacher but she's definitely keeping her options open and wants to aim high. You can read more about Morgan at http://buffalojills.net/article.asp?id=1961251 Morgan's secondary pic comes from the 9th Annual Buffalo Jills Golf Tournament held at Westwood Country Club in Williamsville this past August and was taken before the golfers started arriving. Shown smiling for the camera at the Poker Run table are Lindsey and Morgan.

Lindsey and Morgan

As seen in her tryout video from 1st cuts, Morgan is quite the exceptional dancer, something Toronto Raptors fans are finding out first hand now.

Congrats to NLL Girl of The Week Stephanie O!

Stephanie O with Chrissy and Jessica at the Bandits-Stealth game

Each week, ILIndoor.com is picking two ladies to square off to take home the honor of NLL Girl of The Week. The winner of each week will then be entered into the NLL GOW playoffs for the bragging rights of NLL Girl Of The Year. For their second installment of the season, they matched up Candace from the Toronto Rock against our very own rookie camera ham, Stephanie O. The poll started last Tuesday and closed last night. For the 1st few days, it was a pretty close match-up between the two until Candace took a 4000-vote lead Friday night. In these polls, you can vote as often as you like and apparently Candace called in some favors to claim a commanding lead.  A funny thing happened over the weekend, though. Buffalonians are known for their resilence and between Stephanie's squadmates, their friends, and her friends, Stephanie overtook Candace and never looked back, winning by a count of 62,403 to 43,868...over 18,000 votes...quite the accomplishment when you consider she was down by 4000 Saturday morning.
With only 9 teams in the league, we could be looking at 3-4 of these polls involving members of the Bandettes...maybe we'll end up with a Bandette-vs-Bandette final! http://www.ilindoor.com/2012/02/07/nll-girl-of-the-week-stephanie-vs-candace/

Jills tryouts announced!

Kelli with last year's captains and co-captains at 1st cuts 2011

The NFL Buffalo Jills Cheerleaders hold open workshops and auditions for cheerleaders, dancers & models beginning Wednesday, April 4th.

Jills Director, Stephanie Mateczun, Nichole Ranney our Coordinator and well-known Choreographer, Kelli Wagner, ensure that the Jills are in top-notch shape for game day performances as well as appearances. In addition to mandatory practices two times a week (Tues & Thurs, 6:30-10:00pm) and their full time work, school or mom schedules, the Jills participate in a variety of community events that involve the Buffalo Bills, area businesses and numerous charities. The Jills also host a popular Jr Jills program for young cheerleaders/dancers, a Jill’s golf tournament and other great events throughout the Western New York area.

The minimum requirement for auditions is that each young lady needs to be at least 18 years old by the first physical workshop on April 15th. There is no age limit.

Formal dance and/or cheerleading experience are not mandatory but extremely helpful. Not a dancer but have the Jills look and love to be around people? We also have a non-performing squad to compliment our popular dance squad. Our non-performing Jills are “Ambassador Jills” and part of our team 100%!

Being a Buffalo Jill requires a lot of time and dedication. You must have a significant amount of availability in your schedule in order to fulfill your commitment as an NFL Cheerleader. Cheerleaders do not travel out of town with the team but do participate in all home games (including Toronto).

Full info will be up on the Jills website soon but here are some key dates to remember

• Optional Glam Workshop-hair and make-up tips to help you get an advantage on learning the Jills look Wednesday, April 4th, 8:00pm at Gold’s Gym, 1402 French Rd, Depew, NY 14043
  Fee for this workshop is $10. No credit cards accepted. Space is limited, please register at: Stephanie.mateczun@stejonproductions.com
• Optional Dance Prep classes . Please call Fusion Dance Studio, 716- 873-8320 for Jills dance classes offered on Sunday, March 4th 12:00-1:00pm and Sunday, April 1st 12:00n-1:00pm. Each dance prep class is $20.

All audition dates, with the exception of April 22nd, are closed to the public.

• There is an open, FREE workshop for all interested Dancer and Ambassador Jills on Sunday, April 15h, 2012 at 1:00pm at The Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse, One Bills Dr. Orchard Park, NY 14127
• Optional, additional dance practice/ informational workshop. The fee for this workshop is $20. ($10 for dance only portion and $10 for info only portion) It will be held on Thursday, April 19th, 8:00-10:00pm at Gold’s Gym, 1402 French Rd Depew, NY 14043
• 1^st cuts are Sunday, April 22nd beginning at 1:00pm at The Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse, One Bills Dr. Orchard Park, NY 14127. This is the only portion of auditions open to the public for $5 entry fee. Each girl auditioning will receive One (1) complimentary admission ticket for a guest. (Please no young children) There is a $50 audition fee due at the time of these auditions. Personal checks, credit cards and Canadian funds are not accepted
• 2^nd cuts- Attire TBD- Tuesday, April 24th, 6:30pm-? At Fusion Dance Studio, 1584 Kenmore Ave. Buffalo, NY 14217
• 3^rd & final cuts- Interview attire- Thursday, April 26th, 7:00pm-? At Gold’s Gym, 1402 French Rd. Depew, NY 14043

NEW THIS SEASON FOR CANADIANS- We will be forming a Canadian only Ambassador squad (approx 6-8 young ladies) for our numerous events, appearances & games in the Toronto area!! Please contact: Stephanie.mateczun@stejonproductions.com if interested. 

Bandette of The Week Noelle

This week, we take a look at one of Buffalo's sexiest nurses as our Bandette of The Week. It's said that Buffalo is one place in the country where you can always get excellent health care. Roswell Park is probably the most advance cancer centers in the nation. Apparently that excellent health care extends to the nursing field with beautiful nurses like Noelle, Rebecca of the Jills, and a few Jills and Bandettes alumni filling the ranks. And let's not leave out Myesha and Jami of the Jills, both currently working on their nursing degrees as well. With the excellent medical care and all the gorgeous nurses, there's no better place than Buffalo to have to spend time in a hospital. Dancing on Kirsten's line, Noelle sees herself as a procrastinator yet at 22 years old, she's more focused on her career than most girls are. Besides the focus on her career, she also has to maintain a high level of focus on gamedays as well when you consider the gymnastic ability she brings to the squad. You can read more about Noelle at http://www.bandits.com/bbio.asp?bandID=Noelle Noelle's secondary photo comes from the recent game against the Philadelphia Wings. Shown posing for a photo just prior to heading out for pregame are Kirsten, Carissa, Noelle, Jessica, and Danielle.

Kirsten, Carissa, Noelle, Jessica, and Danielle

Buffalo Jill of The Week Lindsey

This week, we take a look at 2nd year vet Lindsey as our Buffalo Jill of The week. Lindsey spent the season lighting up Omarlla's line with her pretty smile between Briana and Myesha. Last year, we told you how she joined the squad after one of her closest friends, Lisa, kept raving about her experiences. Well, she paid it forward a little as one of this year's rookies, Melissa, has been a close friend for quite a while as well. Even though Melissa told me the biggest reason she made the switch over to the Jills, you just have to think Lindsey had a hand in it as well. She's pretty good at convincing people to do things which works out well in the fundraising she does as part of her job. You can read more about Lindsey at http://www.buffalojills.net/article.asp?id=1968615 Lindsey's secondary photo comes from the recent Jills Comedy Show. While people were taking their seats, some of the girls posed for photos. Shown are Krystin, Lindsey, and Emily.

Krystin, Lindsey, and Emily

Lindsey has a lot more than that incredible smile going for her in making the Jills as she's also an exceptional dancer as well as seen in her video from 1st cuts last April.

Vote for Stephanie O for NLL Girl Of The Week

NLL Girl Of The Week: Stephanie vs. Candace

Get your votes in for Stephanie! She's up for NLL Girl Of The Week against a girl from the Toronto Rock...she may be a rookie on the Bandettes but I say she deserves the honor if for no other reason than she loves the camera! http://www.ilindoor.com/2012/02/07/nll-girl-of-the-week-stephanie-vs-candace/
You can vote as often as you like

The Bandettes at the Bandits-Stealth game

After a strong start to the season, the Bandits have fallen behind in the race for the lead in the NLL East with a 11-10 OT loss to the Washington Stealth in the First Niagara Center last night.

2008-11 alumnus Jessica H with Kirsten's line

After making it to the First Niagara Center, it was only a short wait before the NLL's top dance team, the Buffalo Bandettes, came out to pose for photos and sign autographs for the fans coming into the game. First, I spent some time visiting with Kirsten's line, including reigning Bandette of The Week Lauren K. While I was visiting, Bandettes alumnus Jessica H (2008-11) came by for a visit on her way into the game.

Lauren B's line

After some photos with them and talking with a few of the girls, I made my way over to the other side of the 100 level escalators and spent some time with Lauren B's line. I got to spend a little bit of time talking with Melissa, a rookie on the squad this year who, before trying out for the Bandettes, tried out for the Jills last spring. She's pretty happy the way things turned out making the Bandettes.

Chrissy, Stephanie O, and Jessica

After they headed in to get ready for the game (show up before 7 to meet the Bandettes), I made my way to my seat and was there when the Bandettes came out for pregame and to get some photos.

Chelsea, Jessica, Stephanie C, Kirsten, and Lauren B

For pregame, the Bandits actually turned the lighting down and it made for a pretty cool effect on the Bandettes and their bright orange tops, making them practically glow in the dark.

Lauren B and Krista just before 1st intermission

Stephanie O, Chrissy, Stephanie C, Jessica, Stephanie G, and Melissa at halftime

See all the pics at http://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/4650

Next up for the Bandettes, while the Bandits are off for a few weeks as a team after next week's matchup in Philly, the Bandettes will be in action at the NLL All-Star game on February 25th at First Niagara Center. Keep in mind the game starts at 7 instead of 7:30 so plan accordingly

Bandette of The Week Lauren K

This week, we take a look at rookie Lauren K as our Bandette of The Week. Dancing on Kirsten's line on gamedays, this young lady is already becoming an accomplished professional as a published writer in the field of Buffalo dance. She's also been a reporter for Live! Starring...You!, a company that conducts interviews, runs workshops and publishes books for young people who are interested in "celebrity" careers. She's not finished with accomplishing a lot more as she's currently  studying communications with a minor in dance. She's even spent some time in competitive dancing as well.  Irish in heritage, Lauren hopes to use her eventual communications degree not only in journalism but in becoming a published author on the New York Times Best Seller List. You can read more about Lauren at http://www.bandits.com/bbio.asp?bandID=LaurenK Lauren's secondary photo comes from the recent game against the Philadelphia Wings. Prior to heading out for a performance during 1st intermission, several of the Bandettes posed for photos. Shown smiling for the camera are Chelsea, Stephanie O, Lauren K, and Carissa.

Chelsea, Stephanie O, Lauren K, and Carissa

Buffalo Jill of The Week Natalie

This week, we take a look at 2nd year vet Natalie as our Jill of The Week. As people may recall, Natalie was commissioned by the Buffalo Bills to write a blog about her experience in going through tryouts in her rookie season. Luckily, for the Bills as well as the fans and those of us who have gotten to know her, it was a good gamble as she obviously made the squad. However, I doubt very much the Bills realized what a gem they had in choosing Natalie. She didn't just contribute as a rookie. She was named the rookie dancer of the year and followed that up by being named co-captain in 2011, assisting on Christina's line and dancing between Gina and Jenny on gamedays this past season. Getting named co-captain in only your second season is quite an accomplishment in my book as it shows quite a bit of dedication on her part, especially when you consider her home, when she's not in classes or practices, is over 3 1/2 hours away from Orchard Park. She's even got Jenny beat...it's just a shame there's no such thing as "frequent driver miles" for free gas with all that time behind the wheel. In addition to the performances she's been in on Sundays at the Ralph, she's also shown she can choreograph as well as she and Loren have been doing some choreography on their own the last few months. You can read more about Natalie at http://www.buffalojills.net/article.asp?id=1961258 Natalie's secondary photo comes from the Jets game in Lot C where Christina's line was just about to perform for the fans. Shown posing for the camera are Jenny, Christina, Nicole, and Natalie.

Jenny, Christina, Nicole, and Natalie