2007 Buffalo Jills tryouts and Sabres Alumni game-revisited

With the end of the 2013-14 Buffalo Jill of The Week series, we take a look back at photos from Jills events/appearances from the past. Obviously with no Jills season in 2014, we'll keep this series going through the football season, only stopping for the 2015 Bandettes season who, as things stand now, will get our full focus during the season. Last summer, we covered the 2005 and 2006 Jills seasons so we'll start off this series with the 2007 Buffalo Jills.
We start off with a look back at the 2007 Buffalo Jills Open Workshop, held at the Niagara Falls Conference and Event Center. This workshop was different than most as Jills Choreographer Kelli Wagner was unavailable to teach the tryout routine. The reason for this is because she was accompanying 8 of the 2006-07 Buffalo Jills on a troop visit tour in Iraq and Kuwait, the only NFL Cheerleading squad to make that trip. Joining Kelli on that trip were Eileen, Jamie, Natale, Katie, Autumn, Emily, Stefanie, and Jenica. Before leaving for Iraq, Kelli had gone over the routine with Aimee and Omarlla, the two captains not making the trip overseas.

Jills in Iraq

Aimee and Omarlla teaching the routine

Jessica Z, Kaitlin B, and Valerie returning for a 2nd season together

Before and after the girls learned the routines, I grabbed a few photos. A pair of alumnae made an appearance and there were a number of girls there trying out who, though they didn't make the squad in 2007, returned to make it in future years like Ruby (2009-12), Amelina (2008) and Holly (2008). There were also a lot of girls who tried out that year that, after not making it, never tried again and that's truly a shame because they may have made the squad in a later year and even gone on to have a remarkable career like Lisa did, who only just retired after making the 2007 squad...after missing the cut in 2006.

 

Ruby (2009-12) and Dominica (2005)

Melissa returning  after a season off reconnecting with Kaitlin and Brianne

See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/pictures/4405

Katie K about to drop the puck with Rob Ray and Katherine looking on

On the 1st of April, after the 2007 squad was selected, a pair of Jills made an appearance in Jamestown, NY at Jamestown Savings Bank Arena where a Sabres Alumni game was held for charity. Rob Ray and Darryl Shannon were among the Sabres alums who took the ice and former Bills kicker Steve Christie was on hand to drop the puck for the opening faceoff. Representing the Jills were 3rd year vet Katie K and rookie Katherine K. Katherine, of course, had her greatest fame after leaving the squad when she and her new husband participated in The Amazing Race in a season that aired just over a year ago. After coming in 2nd, there's still a hope they could one day participate in an  All-Stars version since they got a lot of interest from fans of the show. This day was long before that Race as well as long before she and Max met. I showed up before the girls did since the arena is only about a mile from my place and checked on things so everything went smoothly for them. When they got there, the two Katie's greeted fans and posed for photos with fans and mascots before dropping the puck for the 2nd period of the game. As things wound down, I got set to head home when Katie asked me how to get out of Jamestown to head back to Buffalo. Katie descibed herself as "goofy" in her bios during her time  on the Jills and the only time I ever saw it was when she asked me if I was sure, even though she knew I lived in Jamestown, as if I would steer her wrong.

Katie and Katherine with Jamestown Jammers mascot J.J. Jammer

See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/pictures/8937
From the Bandettes comes a photo from the January game against the Toronto Rock. During the 2nd quarter, members of L.B.'s line posed for a photo during a stoppage in play. Shown posing from left to right are Janelle, MaKenzie, Jessica, L.B, Cheri, Chelsea, Amanda, and Kelsey.

Janelle, MaKenzie, Jessica, L.B, Cheri, Chelsea, Amanda, and Kelsey

Buffalo Jills lawsuit to be featured on Real Sports

HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel is about to tackle an issue that hits close to home as their June 24th episode will take a look at the lawsuit between 5 Jills alumnae and Stejon Productions. Andrea Kramer will be handling the story and will be talking with Alyssa and Maria as well as Stejon Productions president Stephanie Mateczun.

Buffalo Jill of The Week Ashley C

We finish up the 2013-14 Buffalo Jill of The Week series with Swimsuit Calendar Covergirl Ashley C. A captain in her 2nd season with the Ambassador squad, she was to be one of only 2 of the 2013 captains to return to the 2014 squad. Over the last two years, she's actually gotten to be pretty good friends with that other captain, longtime BuffaloProCheer favorite Melissa M, formerly of the Bandettes before switching over to the Jills. Ashley is currently in law school after getting her B.S. in legal studies a year ago with hopes to practice law in Buffalo, possibly in corporate law. We know she looks fantastic in uniform but I have a feeling she'll be rocking the powersuit look as well. I also have a feeling she's going to try as hard as she can to stay in Buffalo for a variety of reasons. She loves the seasons and snowboarding as well as the beach and who can forget the sports teams and fans. Another big thing for her is the food as she loves Buffalo-style chicken whether it's in wings, salad, or dip. Considering it's hard to find anyplace outside of Western NY that can put together chicken, hot sauce, and blue cheese the right way, she might have a rough time of it living elsewhere! lol You can see all of Ashley's pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/jillsindividualpics/56363 Ashley's secondary photo comes from the game against Miami in December when the girls were dressed as Santa's helpers. Shown coming off the field just before the half are Gabrielle, waving to the fans, and Ashley.

Gabrielle and Ashley

From the Bandettes comes a photo from the January home game against the Toronto Rock. Prior to the game, most of the squad was greeting fans as they come up the escalators to the 100 level. Shown posing for a photo are members of Kirsten's line with Danielle, Chrissy, Brianna, Kirsten, Mandy, and Lauren K from left to right.

Danielle, Chrissy, Brianna, Kirsten, Mandy, and Lauren K

Queen City Roller Girls Championship coming up!

Here at the Buffalo Pro Cheer Blog, we try to support former pro cheerleaders from Buffalo in whatever public endeavour they are into. Some of the ladies throw themselves into some pretty intense stuff like the Blondes Vs Brunettes. Several Buffalo Jills alumnae have joined the BvB over the years and 8-year Jills alum Jenn C (1997-2004) is currently a co-chair of that organization. One of those alumnae, Tammy S, who spent 1994, 95, and 2002 with the Jills as well as the past 4 years with the BvB, is also heavily involved with the Queen City Roller Girls as a member of the Suicidal Saucies.
The Queen City Roller Girls is an 8-team women's roller derby league based in Western NY that is skater-owned and operated. It is continuously committed to the reviving and redefining of the classic sport of roller derby, with a 21st century twist. It's built a strong following and holds bouts at the Rainbow Rink on Oliver Street in North Tonawanda. Next season, they'll be moving downtown to the Buffalo RiverWorks Event Center. You can learn more about the Queen City Roller Girls at http://www.qcrg.net/
This Saturday night though, is the championship bout for the Roller Girls season, matching  up Tammy's Suicidal Saucies and the Nickel City Knockouts. Tickets are $20 and $15 with the bout set to start at 6:30pm.

NFL Cheerleader Alumni Reunion Set for August in Atlanta

The National Football Cheerleaders Alumni Reunion is August 1-2, 2014 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Buckhead. Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders Alumni are excited and honored to host the 2014 National Football Cheerleaders Alumni Reunion. Former NFL Cheerleaders from across the nation will converge in Atlanta for an action packed weekend. Come Party with the Alumni Cheerleaders at the Buckhead Havana Club Friday evening. Other activities include lunch at Lucky’s and a Gala Dinner and Program Saturday evening at the hotel. “I am extremely excited for the National Football Cheerleaders Alumni Reunion to be held in Atlanta. We have a fantastic weekend planned” stated Mickey Crawford-Carnegie, Director of the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders Alumni and Co-founder of the National Football Cheerleaders Alumni Organization (NFCAO).
Read more at  http://ultimatecheerleaders.com/2014/06/nfl-cheerleader-alumni-reunion-set-for-august-in-atlanta/