In mid-May 2009, the Jills invaded Club Paradise for their annual Congratulatory Party, an event designed primarily to introduce their fans to the new squad. With the later date, it didn't coincide with any Bandits games and I was actually one of the 1st to arrive, helping Jills management with setting up before some of the Jills started arriving to pitch in, led by one of the rookies I hadn't met at the Draft Party, Alyssa B. By the time we had everything set up, the rest of the squad had arrived and the fans started showing up soon afterwards.
Eileen and Omarlla starting their 10th season together
Loren and Angelina
In addition to the fans who showed up, the emcee for the evening showed up in the form of Lydia Dominick. Currently on WGRZ, she was with CW23 at the time and did a series of reports on Jills tryouts for a 2nd season. After getting to know some of the Jills the previous season, her friend Heather joined the squad in 2009.
Heather, Lydia, and Katy
Jill, Jennifer, Omarlla, and Lisa
In truth, there were generally more family members and friends than fans at these events and sometimes we got to know them quite well over the years. Some of these friends decided that they loved what their friend on the squad was doing so much that they decided to try out for the squad themselves. Heather had met some of the Jills just out on the town but Lindsey C, who joined the squad in 2010, had become a regular attendee of Jills events in support of her friend Lisa.
Lisa and friends, including future Jills and Falcons cheerleader Lindsey
Kelly Ann, Michelle, and Kristen
Kaitlin, Anna, and Vincenza
The bulk of the party was spent mingling, selling raffle tickets, and, for me, taking lots and lots of photos. When there was probably about an hour left in the event, the raffle prizes were awarded and it was time for the most-highly awaited portion of the event, the dance performance, which was split up into 3 segments with vets dancing 1st, then rookies and ambassadors who switched to dance, and finishing up with more vets.
Squad photo with Lydia
Following the performances, fans got their chance to get photos taken with not 1 or 2 Jills, but the entire squad before things wound down and some of the Jills started leaving for the evening with others either still on duty or just feeling the need to dance some.
Ayeshia, Vincenza, Laura, and Keisha with the owner of Club Paradise
From the Bandettes comes a photo from the January game vs Minnesota. The Bandits had a theme night every game this season and that game was their "Superhero night" where fans were encouraged to come dressed up as their favorite heroes. Shown posing with Hawkman and Ironman are members of Lauren's line before the game.
LaToya, Syidah, Hawkman, Stephanie, Iron Man, Janelle, Lauren, and Abby.
In 2007, the Buffalo Jills held their annual Congratulatory Party at the Lafayette Tap Room on Washington Street, currently the home of the Pan American Grill and Brewery. I had already learned shortly after tryouts finished how they went. After getting the squad photo, I even found out that 2004-05 vet Melissa had returned to the 2007 squad after a season off. Also, even though Jessica K had chosen not to return, there was still a pair of twin sisters for the 2007 season in the forms of Jill and Joy, a pair of fraternal twins who joined that season. I had chosen not to attend 1st cuts that year because one, I wanted the girls focused totally on what they had to do to make the squad and two, I saw firsthand how rough it could be to miss the cut. As anyone who knows me can attest, I'm a softie when it comes to the cheerleaders I cover and genuinely care about them. Seeing them upset isn't easy and, when you consider that I see very few of them after they leave the squad, the last thing I want is to see them upset the last time I see them. I did see some videos taken of tryouts, some by 97Rock's DJ Jickster and there was even an interview in one video I saw in which one prospective rookie talked about how confident she was. Her words proved prophetic as she not only made the squad in 2007, but made the Pro Bowl her 2nd year on the squad. Her name was Jess L.
As I pulled into the parking garage, I saw 3rd year vet Rachael heading out of the garage and wound up getting to the bar just moments after her. Shortly after getting inside, Kelly H, the 6th year vet who was the captain of the Ambassador Squad, got right to work introducing some of the rookies.
In addition to the 2007 squad being there, minus a few girls who had an appearance elsewhere, 2003-04 Jills alum Kelly Ann put in an appearance as did Bills special teams ace Josh Stamer.
Kelly Ann and Eileen
Michelle with Josh Stamer
During the party, some of the Jills performed for those of us in attendance. Some of them even brought their boyfriends on stage for the performance.
Eileen, Jamie, and Emily perform
Valerie and Kaitlin B
You can see all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/pictures/4420
From the Bandettes comes a photo from the January game against the Toronto Rock. On occasion, both lines would be out for the 2nd half or portions of it. In this photo taken in the 3rd quarter, we see Amanda, Cheri, Danielle, and Kelsey performing to the music while the game was going on.
Aimee, Natale, Lori, Diana, Kaitlin B, and Nicole P
This was a cool event that the Jills used to have that gave the fans a chance to meet the new squad and vice versa. It was generally held a few weeks after tryouts and included raffles to help raise money for the girls and some dance performances as well.
Jessica K, Brianne, and Jenica
In 2006, the Jills Congrats Party happened to be held the same night as a Bandits home game against the Rochester Knighthawks. In the 4th quarter, with the game well in hand, I jetted out and made my way up to Chippewa where the Jills were just starting their Congratulatory Party at the Crocodile Bar, where Noir Ultra Lounge now stands. I made it there at about a quarter to 10, when the event was to open to the public, with VIP access only before 10. I was only out front a minute or so when Nichole saw me and brought me inside where rookies and vets mingled with each other and with Bills LB Josh Stamer and CB Terrence McGee. When I made my way in, the Jills director was on stage just about to make a special announcement. The previous year, FHM Magazine's US edition featured a Jill as part of their NFL Preview issue alongside some girls from other squads. For a second straight year, a Jills 2nd year vet got featured in the magazine as Amanda P was announced as landing in the magazine for the 2006 NFL Preview issue.
Jessica D, Josh Stamer, and Jasmine
Also on hand for the event were Jills alumni Melissa and Danielle H as well as Tiffany, a former Buffalo Bombshells cheerleader who cheered alongside Lori with the Buffalo Rush. Besides bringing along Tiffany, Lori brought something else...a Buffalo Rush Swimsuit Calendar that she gave me to share with the fans. I scanned the calendar pics in and uploaded them to http://s73.photobucket.com/albums/i237/bjg1/Rush%20swimsuit%20pics/
From the Bandettes comes a photo from the March game against the Philadelphia Wings. One of the biggest sports fans to have been a Bandette was Ashley V, who's a huge Bills fan as well as a big Bandits fan. Here she is posing for a photo with some of the 2013 squad, including 2 former squadmates. Shown posing for the camera are Danielle, Brianna A, Ashley, Chelsea, and Lauren K.
Danielle, Brianna A, Ashley, Chelsea, and Lauren K
Tryouts for the 2014 Buffalo Bandettes are going on September 14th and 15th at Catalyst Fitness.
Make sure to visit the main page of the Buffalo Pro Cheer Blog and donate to Jenn, Tammy, Julie, Kim, or Maria. All 5 of these ladies are raising money for the Alzheimer's Association and getting set to play in the 5th Annual Blondes Vs Brunettes game on September 14th.
We should have a pic coming soon but for now, we do have this information to share. No vets who tried out missed the cut, first of all. There are some Canadians who made the squad as well...so they'll be able to help out with the Toronto games. The 2008 Jills Congratulatory Party will be held at Club Paradise in Blasdell from 9pm-midnight on Saturday, April 26th, the first day of the NFL Draft. Don't miss it! Finally, the 2008-09 calendar will feature pictures of the Jills taken in...the western Caribbean in late May.
edit: We have a pic Picture courtesy the Buffalo Jills and Fisher Creative Image Photography
On Cinco de Mayo in Buffalo, there's plenty of places to celebrate but this year, the only place to be was the Lafayette Tap Room. There, the 2007-08 Buffalo Jills greeted their public for the first time. The place was packed full to greet 18 rookies and 19 of the 23 vets (other commitments) and get a look at a couple of sizzling new dance numbers, one of which was used to help select the squad at tryouts in March. 2003-04 Jills alumnus Kelly Ann and Bills special teams ace Josh Stamer were among those greeting the new squad.To the rookies whose names didn't get entered...my apologies...a photographic memory is not one of my talents but rest assured, I will learn all your names for future albums. To the fans, yes we do have new Katie's, Kaitlin's, Jessica's, and Amanda's...no vets got any facelifts or anything...lol. To all, enjoy the pics and keep watch for more pics of your favorite returning vets as well as the beautiful rookie additions in the months to come.
If you don't have plans (that can't be changed) Saturday night in the Buffalo area, why not spend the evening partying with 41 of the area's most beautiful women? The 2007 Buffalo Jills will be holding their Congratulatory Party at the Lafayette Tap Room at 10pm this Saturday night. This wll be the first time the entire squad will be out to greet their fans at once. What better excuse can you come up with for skipping your buddy's weekly poker game than partying with the Jills? The Lafayette Tap Room is at 391 Washington St in Buffalo...just 3 minutes from HSBC Arena!
