The Jills at the 2012 Buffalo Bills Season Ticket Holder Draft Party

Loren and Emily

Jill and Nicole

Starting in 2009, the Buffalo Bills have been holding draft parties for its most devoted fans, allowing them to come to the stadium and watch the draft together with thousands of other season ticket holders. With the move to the 3-day draft, premium seat holders were given the option of watching the 1st rd at the Fieldhouse while the rest of the season ticket holders got to go in on Friday to see the 2nd and 3rd rds.  The advantage that the season ticket holders get on Friday nights is the chance to see the 1st draft pick introduced to them in person.
A major part of the Draft Party every year is the Buffalo Jills Cheerleaders. In addition to holding court at a booth where they pose for photos and sign autographs, the Jills circulate throughout the Fieldhouse and also put on a dance performance. When I got inside after a small tailgate party (this is Buffalo, where tailgating is a big deal), I helped Amanda V set up just before several other of her squadmates arrived on the scene. Less than 24 hours before, all of these girls, except the captains, were on edge waiting to find out for certain that they'd be returning to the Jills for 2012-13. Before long, there were 11 Buffalo Jills on hand posing for photos with fans and signing autographs. After long-time great ST Ace Steve Tasker took some time to introduce Stephon Gilmore, the Bills' 1st rd pick, to the crowd, it was time for the Jills captains to take the stage, performing first to Shout!, and then the tryout routine to plenty of cheers from the fans.

Jacki lining up to kick a FG

Caity (2009) and Valerie

After the performance, the Jills spread out and after spending some time with Nicole and Jill (getting her strength back after missing last season's action due to injury), I caught up with some of the girls around the Fieldhouse, including when Lisa, Jaclyn (going by Jacki now) and Emily had some fun kicking FGs.

















Afterwards, we took a walk around and we ran into a familiar face...Caity from the 2009 squad, who Val chastised a little bit for not deciding to return to the squad.

The Jills with the daughter of Bills LB Arthur "Don't Cross The" Moats

Something new this year to the draft party is the chance to get autographs from some of the current players. After we made our way back to the Jills booth, Bills LB Arthur Moats, taking a break from signing autographs in the locker room, stopped by with his wife to get a photo of his daughter with the girls.

One of the founders of the Bills Mafia with Jacki

In addition to my work with the Jills, I am also a big Bills fan, going into my 17th year with season tickets and one of the big things with the Bills the past few years is the Bills Mafia movement. Just as the Buffalo Pro Cheer Blog is about giving positive support to Buffalo's Pro Cheerleaders, the Bills Mafia is about giving positive support to the Buffalo Bills team and players. The Bills Mafia even gets a share of the credit in bringing LB Nick Barnett and DE Mario Williams to Buffalo, two players who are going to be key contributors to the Bills' success in 2012. For more on the Bills Mafia movement, visit http://billsmafia.com/
See all the pics at http://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/pictures/29949
Coming up next for the Jills, they'll be celebrating the finalization of the 2012-13 squad at Bambino Bar and Kitchen at 297 Franklin Street in Buffalo on Thursday night. Come congratulate the rookies and veterans alike!