Cheerleading competitions are found all over the nation and in places like Buffalo, they can be blessed when they can recruit professional squads to help run the competition. In February of 2006, the Buffalo Bandettes were recruited to help run the Cheer For The Cure competition that, in addition to promoting cheerleading, raises funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. When I arrived there that day, the girls were busy greeting the younger generations of cheerleaders as they made their way into the Flickinger Center. I grabbed a few quick photos before stepping out of the way for a bit until it was time to head into the gymnasium where I ran into the Jills director, one of the judges for the competition.
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| Meghan and Erin Y |
I stayed off to the side for the bulk of the competition, grabbing a few photos of the Bandettes the couple times they performed and was able to talk to a few of the girls throughout the day. One of the most memorable exchanges came with Marissa, who was in her 1st season back on the Bandettes after having spent the 2001 season on the squad. Marissa also spent 6 seasons as a Buffalo Jill from 1999-2004 and was one of the girls who knew me pretty well before I got more involved with the squad. She had made an appearance at the 2005 Jills Calendar Release Party and even introduced me to her boyfriend. When I got a moment alone with him, I made sure to advise him what a great gal Marissa was and to make sure he never let her get away. Well, when I talked to Marissa at the competition, she showed me that he took my words to heart and popped the question.
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| putting on a show! |
During an intermission in the competition, I ran into a familiar face. There to coach one of the cheerleading squads was Amanda W of the Buffalo Jills. We got a chance to talk a little bit and she even told me she was turning 21 just before an upcoming Jills event, which meant she didn't have to miss out on it and could enjoy herself when other girls who were underage had to miss this event. She was also pretty excited when I told her I'd be there at tryouts.
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| Bandettes in action |
You can see all the pics at
https://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/84
While the Buffalo Bills have training camp open to the public all the time but rarely practices open to the public at the stadium, the Bandits have an open practice for the fans to check out on a December weekend day, usually a Saturday, each year. Besides getting to see the team practice and pick out seats for the upcoming season, it's also the 1st chance to get to see the new Buffalo Bandettes squad perform on the field. When not performing, the Bandettes spend a good portion of the Open Practice session mingling with the fans in the stands and in the concourse. They pose for photos, sign autographs, and pass out info on their Jr Bandettes program. For me, the biggest draw is the chance to meet the new rookies as well as to reconnect with the vets, who I usually don't see between the end of the season in May until the Open Practice in December.
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| Amanda H, Sarah, Marissa, Ashley S, Erin Y, Meghan, Erica, and Erin H |
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| Jenna signing autographs |
After the practice in 2006, the players had a meet and greet session with the fans at Pearl Street Grill and Brewery. At the time, Pearl Street was still the home for all the Bandits post game parties. While the Bandettes generally attend the post-game parties, they were excused from the meet-and-greets following the Open Practice. In 2006, I decided to grab a post-game meal and joined Bandettes coach Erin J and Jills alum Michelle M (1998-2000) at Pearl Street. The bulk of the discussion was about the Jills and the Bandettes, including the differences between the two squads.After dinner, we checked out the meet and greet on the 2nd floor where Michelle decided she just had to meet Johnny Tavares. We found a break in the autograph line and after Erin told Johnny that I was Michelle's personal photographer, we grabbed a few pictures.
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| Johnny Tavares and Jills alum Michelle M (1998-2000) |
You can see all the pics at
https://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/478
From the Jills comes a pic from last year's Home Opener against the Pats. Late in the 1st quarter, Lisa's line was performing in front of section 121 where I got this shot. Shown dancing up a storm are Natalie, Lindsey, and Allysha. While we still have hopes that we might see Natalie and Allysha on the sidelines again in 2015, Lindsey is now a rookie with the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders.
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| Natalie, Lindsey, and Allysha |
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