It's that time of year again as the NFL season winds down and the NLL season gets set to start up. In Buffalo, the odd feeling of football games with no cheerleaders is about to be replaced with the familiar feeling of lacrosse games accompanied by the NLL's premier dance squad but even as we get to see our beloved Bandettes in action again, there are always changes with a lot of roster turnover this season with several long-time veterans retiring and plenty of fresh-faced rookies ready to take the proverbial stage.
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| Stephanie, Lauren, LaToya, Abby, Cheri, and Syidah pose with L.B. |
On Saturday, the NLL's Buffalo Bandits held their annual Open Practice in front of one of the largest crowds in a few years. Shortly after arriving, I took in a little bit of the practice before heading out to see the Bandettes where they were in their familiar spots near the top of the escalators greeting fans, posing for photos, and handing out information on their Jr Bandettes program. I started out on the east end where Lauren and Stephanie's line was accompanied by L.B., who obviously is already missing being on the squad. I have to say I called that one. She'd been talking about maybe retiring for a couple of years and I wasn't willing to believe she was definitely retiring until she actually did it.
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| Brittany, Melanie, Mandy, Chrissy, Erin, Jessica, MaKenzie, Brianna, and Jennifer |
After grabbing some photos, it was off to the west end where Mandy and Chrissy's line was accompanied by Jessica and Erin. While there grabbing photos, I got to say hi to two familiar faces, one in the form of returning Bandettes alum Brianna N and the other in rookie Brittany, who I knew was a close friend of a Jills alum I used to know pretty well. After taking a few photos and talking with some of them, they were off to get ready for their 1st of 2 performances, showing off the routine they tried out with.
After their performance, which was scheduled midway through the practice to give the team a break, it was off to the stands with the Bandettes as they circulated among the fans, posing for photos, signing autographs, and handing out Jr Bandettes info. By the time they got through the crowds, it was time to get ready to perform again, their last performance before the Bandits Home Opener on January 3rd as the Buffalo Bandits play host to the Edmonton Rush at First Niagara Center at 7:30!
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| Putting on a show! |
See all the pics at
https://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/7920
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