You can’t dismiss the influence the Jills have on young girls

The lawsuit filed last week by five former Buffalo Jills was shocking for one reason: It took as long as it did for the women to get fed up.

The allegations paint a picture that’s more sad sorority than professional gig for a billion-dollar industry – little pay, humiliating body tests, a mandatory “bikini show.” All this for the privilege of standing by the sidelines of the nation’s most lucrative sport.

There’s no doubt the Jills have done plenty of charity work. They’ve signed up for a business in which physical fitness and attractiveness is paramount.
Read the rest of Denise Jewell Gee's column at http://www.buffalonews.com/columns/denise-jewell-gee/you-cant-dismiss-the-influence-the-jills-have-on-young-girls-20140427?two-bills-drive

The Bandettes at the Bandits' regular season finale

Squad photo!!

It's been a tale of two seasons in Banditland as the first part of the season had the team at 8-2 behind a new coach and improved play over last season. Anthony Cosmo had one of the strongest seasons of his career, a vast difference from last season. A not-so-funny thing happened when the team visited the league-leading Edmonton Rush on March 21st. The Rush handed the Bandits a humiliating 14-5 loss in which poor chemistry and undisciplined play proved the Bandits' undoing. It's been all downhill from there as the Bandits couldn't get back in the win column again, with the only bright spot being the continued strong play in goal. Saturday night, with the Bandits playing for a home playoff game, a few things changed. The Bandits played with a lot more discipline than they have in over a month but the goaltending left a lot to be desired, on both ends of the arena. Along with the Bandits' Cosmo, Matt Vinc of the Rochester Knighthawks had a strong season in net but let a lot through that he normally wouldn't. Unfortunately, the poor chemistry and sloppy passing proved the Bandits' undoing as the visiting Knighthawks capitalized and went away with a 16-14 win. The loss, combined with the Toronto win in Minnesota, puts the Bandits on the road for the 1st round of the playoffs next weekend.

LB and Stephanie with some young fans

MaKenzie and Danielle before the game

Kirsten, Stephanie, and Chelsea

The Bandettes' season has been one in transition as coach Jaclyn stepped back to allow Jessica to move into the role. It had been planned as a slower process, with Jessica continuing to perform much of the season but an injury made that impossible, as she had to end that part of her activities after 3 seasons as a Bandettes performer and learn the role on the job under the guidance of Jaclyn and Erin Y as well as the input of former longtime coach Erin J, who was on hand frequently throughout the season. Overall, the season has been a strong one for the squad, a group that really shows how a dance/cheerleading squad should be. Pro cheerleaders/dance squads put in a lot of work to put together a good product and should always be afforded the utmost respect and appreciation for doing so. Moreover, the work they do together should bring them together and the Bandettes, have always done that extremely well. I started covering the squad in 2006 and saw how close-knit they were and Erin J, one of the coaches at the time, had told me it had been that way all along. The Bandettes truly are like a family. This season, 2nd year vet Kelsey has been in the running for the NLL Girl of The Year crown and her squadmates have been working hard trying to help her. A few weeks ago, Danielle entered the contest but failed to make it out of the 1st round. When I expressed my regret last night to her about the loss, she wasn't bothered by it as she's been behind Kelsey's campaign all along just as much as anyone else. That says a lot to me...these girls don't put themselves above their squadmates. When Kelsey wins, God willing, it'll be an award for the entire squad and how well they pull together.

performing in pregame

Kirsten eyeing the camera after a Bandits goal

Cheri cheering on a goal

LB talking to a young fan in the 1st quarter

Cheri and Amanda posing together at the end of the 1st half

performing at the half

Kelsey high above the crowd

Kirsten, Stephanie, and Mandy

After I got to the game and grabbed something to eat, I made my way to the gates where the squad was handing out team posters and posing for photos with the fans. I didn't stay very long as they were pretty busy as a sell-out crowd was pouring in, only grabbing a moment to talk to a few of the girls as well as to Kelsey's mother and sister Danielle, a 2 year-alum herself. When the girls came out for the game, they made sure to get a few group photos as they knew it could be their last time performing together. Reigning Bandette of The Week LB told me before the season it was definitely her last season and who knows who else may not be there when the 2015 squad is put together this fall. But let's not get ahead of ourselves as this year's squad isn't yet finished. The Bandettes are still pulling for Kelsey's victory in the NLL Girl of The Year contest, which is currently in the 2nd round of voting at http://www.ilindoor.com/2014/04/22/nll-girl-of-the-week-chantelle-vs-kelsey/ and the Bandits, if they can pull together a good game next week in Toronto, can still return to the friendly confines of Banditland in the playoffs in 2 weeks against Rochester. Regardless of what happens in the next few weeks, the Bandettes can be proud of what they did this season. Only 2 rookies joined up in 2014 but even though I didn't get to know them that well, they definitely proved themselves with their dedication this season. Also, Janelle has a pair of the most beautiful eyes I've ever photographed, ranking right up there with Jills alum Jackie (2008-2010), and Mandy's smile and enthusiasm for being a part of the Bandettes make them both girls you want to see continue on with the squad for several more years.
You can see all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/7688


Next up, we wait to see if the Bandits can snap out of their funk and pull off a playoff win in Toronto next week in order to return to Banditland to face the 1st seed Knighthawks in the 2nd round.

Chelsea, Stephanie, Janelle, and Chrissy

See all the pics from the Bandits at https://www.flickr.com/photos/buffalobandits/sets/72157644293314146

Interview with Jenn C

This morning, the Wease Show on 95.1 FM in Rochester interviewed 8-year Jills alum Jenn C on the lawsuit that's dominating the headlines as well as what things were like when she cheered, from 1997-2004.http://www.951thebrew.com/media/podcast-the-wease-show-podcasts-TheWeaseShow/buffalo-jill-exclusive-interview-24680375/

Bandette of The Week Lauren B

This week, we finish up the 2014 Buffalo Bandette of The Week series with Lauren B. Known as LB to her fans and some friends, Lauren is in her 5th year with the Bandettes but sadly, it's also likely her final season as she told me at the Open Scrimmage. Truthfully, she's talked like that in the past as well but she seemed more sure of it this time. Still, we'll see for sure when next season rolls around. LB has grown a lot in her time on the squad. Anyone meeting her now would be shocked at how meek she seemed her rookie season. The one example that stands out for me was how she asked "Mr Tavares" for an autograph for her boyfriend at the Buffalo Auto Show that the Bandettes were doing an appearance at. That's not to say she was all meek like that...she was loving getting to pose for a pic in the driver's seat of one of the cars on display there. There was also something else she showed her rookie season. In the NLL, like in the NHL, fighting amongst the players during the game isn't out of the norm, though it does happen less and less these days. Lauren got pretty excited during some of those fights but had to keep her excitement from showing too much because fighting isn't lady-like. She got to show off her excitement the following December as she got to challenge Bandits strongman Brandon Francis to a wrestling match at the Bandits Open Practice. He backed down, though. These days, LB is possibly the most confident and outgoing girl on the squad and a good friend to all. She's also the type to hold others to high standards as well. For the early season matchup against the Knighthawks, I ran a little late and only had time to visit with Kirsten's line briefly before they headed in. On my way to my seats, I ran into LB and her line and she was disappointed in me that I hadn't stopped to see her line as well. She's definitely a girl that keeps me on my toes when it comes to photography and she'll be hard to replace. You can see all of LB's photos at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/bandettesindividualpics/1503 LB's secondary photo comes from the March game against the Swarm and was taken prior to the game when some of the girls posed for photos. Shown posing for this photo are Bandettes captains LB and Kirsten.

LB and Kirsten

Buffalo Jill of The Week Katie

This week, we take a look at rookie Ambassador Katie as our Buffalo Jill of The Week. This blonde beauty, a country girl at heart, is one of those who loves the change in seasons in Buffalo, as wacky as they can be. She loves it so much that she's even hoping to make it her career one day, with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Communication with a minor in Meteorology and Climatology. For now though, she's just enjoying the weather, whether it be by snowboarding in the winter or volleyball, boating, or many other outdoor activities in the nicer weather. She even confesses to being an adrenaline rush enthusiast and enjoyed some sky-diving like some Jills alumnae I know. She hasn't restricted her adventures to Western NY as she's also explored the Grand Canyon. Even though she chose a 1-and-done Jills career, I have a hunch this won't be the last we'll see of her since she and her older sister are both huge fitness nuts so maybe we'll see her in a fitness competition like the one a few weeks ago that 2005 Jills alum Ashlee A earned a medal in. You can see all of Katie's photos at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/jillsindividualpics/65456 Katie's secondary photo is from the preseason game against the Lions. Shown near the tunnel as they receive instructions from Jon are Gabrielle and Katie.

Gabrielle and Katie