Buffalo Pro Cheer Photos of The Week

This week's Buffalo Jills Photo of The Week is from the Jills Golf Tourney and features rookies Kristina and Rebecca posing for a photo while the golfers were checking in. Kristina is a dancer on the squad this year and is big on nutrition and exercise. Rebecca joined the Ambassador Squad but also did a little bit of dancing as a Jill already. For the uniform unveiling, ambassadors were invited to perform in the ribbon dance during the actual unveiling of the Bills' new jerseys and Rebecca was the lone ambassador that took that opportunity, dancing next to Murissa and Jaclyn during the ceremony.

Our Bandettes photo is actually a photo of some classic Bandettes and Jills from the Swarm game in April. Nine Bandettes alumni joined the 2011 Bandettes in celebrating the 10th year of the Bandettes dance squad. Shown posing for the camera while greeting fans coming into the game are Tina, Melanie, Amanda F, and Jenn. Tina and Melanie each spent 4 years on the Bandettes as well as 3 with the Jills. Amanda and Jenn's times with the Bandettes was shorter but they are each staying in the public eye these days as 2nd year players in the Blondes Vs Brunettes game on September 10 at Sweet Home High School.

This week's featured BvB player is 2010 Buffalo Jills alumnus Meghan shown posing with her veteran buddy Courteney at last summer's Jills Open Practice. After being at the game selling raffle tickets last year, Meghan loved the idea of playing some football with other women with a great cause like fighting Alzheimer's behind it. Meghan made as big an impact as a Buffalo Jill as many girls make in several years and that goes beyond her top-ranking calendar sales with her on the cover. I'm not sure how to put that impact into words without it looking like I'm playing favorites, though. I've got good relationships with most of the girls who've been on the Jills or Bandettes since I started working closely with the squad, as well as a few from before 2005 as well. Even though I've known her for only about a year, Meghan ranks pretty highly among the Jills and alumni I've gotten to be friends with. That has less to do with her looks, as incredible as they are, and more to do with her personality and her work ethic. While she definitely enjoyed her time as a Jill, she never took it lightly and always did her best with whatever she was asked to do. Unfortunately, her busy schedule isn't going to allow her to play this year but you can still donate to the BvB through her at http://bvbbuffalo2011.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=475491&lis=1&kntae475491=2ECC788687CA4A67931FA8E680511618&supId=329617318 or any of the ladies involved at http://bvbbuffalo2011.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=475491&lis=1&kntae475491=D8784DC9CCD9403E89ED5AE4AC249250

Buffalo Jill of The Week Meghan

We finish up our 2010-11 Buffalo Jill of The Week series with the Jills final covergirl Meghan. She spent her season with the Jills on the Ambassador Squad and outsold everyone when it came to calendar sales, even topping what last year's covergirl sold with a month less time in which to sell them. This Virginia-born beauty is a hard girl to say no to and that has less to do with her obvious beauty than it does with her incredible personality. In my time covering the Jills, Meghan ranks in my top 3 as far as having the most personality with former Ambassador captain Kelly H and current dancer Murissa...pretty exceptional company. To most of her friends, she can be a bit tomboyish without looking the part obviously. Instead of dancing all night in a club, she'd much prefer to take her Jeep out 4-wheeling or even play some football if she can. She even gets pretty involved in fantasy football as well and does pretty well with it. Of course one thing that helps her with that is the fact that she follows not 1, but 3 teams...but the Bills definitely rank as #1. She also has a much softer side that only a select few of her friends really get to see and, in truth, I don't even know how many of her squadmates really saw much of that side of her. She has a heart as big as her personality and will do anything for her true friends. The reverse of that is that those same friends would do anything for her as well because when she's happy, her smile and personality are infectious and affect everyone around her. Meghan's secondary photo comes from the Blondes Vs Brunettes game held last September. This year, instead of selling raffle tickets at the game, she'll be suiting up for the blondes as the newest Jills alumnus in the game. Shown posing for the camera are Meghan and Ruby.

You can read more about Meghan at http://buffalojills.net/article.asp?id=1961231

Troop visit in Seattle and more info on tryouts

Over Super Bowl weekend, there were a few troop visits going on involving the Buffalo Jills. In addition to the 8-girl group that spent a week and a half visiting bases in the Middle East, a pair of Jills rookie ambassadors were in Seattle visiting the troops at Fort Lewis. In addition to signing autographs and taking photos, Meghan and Taryn got to try their hand with some fire-fighting equipment as well as the M-16. See all the pics at http://buffalojills.net/Article.asp?id=2005544&spid=34534

All the dates and locations are set for 2011 Buffalo Jills tryouts with the Open Workshop kicking things off on Sunday April 10th at 1pm at The Tralf Music Hall in downtown Buffalo. The workshop, closed to the public, is an event where ladies trying out for the squad, can learn the dance routine they'll be expected to know for 1st cuts, and find out what is expected of a Buffalo Jills cheerleader for 2011 whether it be dance or ambassador.

First cuts will also be held at The Tralf and, like the last few years, will be open to the public with a $10 cover. Tryouts start at 1pm on April 17th and it's advised to show up at least a half hour to an hour early to register and get warmed up.

Prior to auditions, there will be two optional prep classes meant to give you an edge with hair and make-up tips, stage presence, and basic dance skills to help you at tryouts. Both take place at Fusion Dance Studio from noon to 1:30 with a $20 fee per workshop. March 20th and April 3rd are the dates for these.

Get all the detailed info as well as cut dates beyond 1st cuts at http://buffalojills.net/Article.asp?id=2098800&spid=34534

Pics from the 8th Annual Buffalo Jills Golf Tournament

Sara J, Morgan, Valerie, Anna

After several years in Lancaster, the Jills moved their 8th Annual Golf Tournament to the Westwood Country Club in beautiful Williamsville, NY. Like in past years, it started off with some lunch while golfers registered and received their golf carts and bought some raffle tickets before heading out to the course for a round of golf on a beautiful day in Western NY. 5 groups had an extra benefit to their days as Amanda F, Meghan, Sara S, Taryn, and Brianne were auctioned off to be caddies for the day. Out on the course there were games like in past years including a poker run but there were also a few added treats on the course. 97Rock's DJ Jickster was out on the course playing music near the 11th tee with not only music, but a dunking booth. No, you couldn't dunk Jickster, but then again, he wouldn't look nearly as good in a bikini as Stefanie and Valerie did when they got dunked. Michelle and Jill, two of the most gymnastically gifted members of the squad also went around the course in their own golf cart performing "Flips For Tips," showing off their gymnastic skills for tips.

Michelle, Nicole, Jill, Jackie
Another feature this year was something more personal to one of the Jills. You see, one of the girls dealt with a housefire recently and rather then let her go through it on her own, her squadmates spent their Sunday evenings in front of hot ovens baking up brownies, cupcakes, and cookies to sell at the golf tournament for donations to help her out. The golfers came through in a pretty big way with some of them denoting some rather significant sums of money to help out one of the most beloved members of the squad, whose name I won't reveal here out of respect for her privacy.

Covergirls Meghan and Anna
At dinner, golfers got another special treat as they got to find out who was on the cover of the Jills 2010-2011 Calendar, due out later this month. This year, instead of having only 1 Buffalo Jill on the cover, the calendar will feature 2 girls, 3rd year vet and 2008 dance rookie of the year Anna and rookie dancer Meghan.

http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/buffalojills2005/2010/Golf%20Tourney/

Next up, some of the Jills will be at Turning Stone Resort Championship in Verona, NY as a part of the Buffalo Bills' partnership with the tournament on Wednesday.

Also, don't forget the Bills are holding training camp thru the 24th at Pittsford's St John Fisher College and the Jills will be appearing at various practices including Saturday the 7th for Jr Bills Backers Day at camp.

Finally, the Jills 1st game appearance is in Toronto on the 19th and besides tickets being available, there are still plenty of spots left for the Toronto Jr Jills program. Get the details at http://buffalojills.net/Article.asp?id=1865591&spid=34534

Buffalo Pro Cheer Photos of The Week

This week, our 1st photo from the Jills comes from the Bills' Friday night draft party and features 2nd year vet Kristen, 9th year director Stephanie, and rookie Ambassador Gina. Kristen, as we previously told you, is moving over from the ambassador squad to the dance squad. With the 2010 season, Stephanie will have put in 17 seasons with the Jills, with an 8-year career on the sidelines including a pair of Super Bowls. Gina will be one of those girls you'll see at the 97Rock and 103.3 The Edge Tailgate parties this fall at the Ralph as she joined the ambassador squad this year.

Our 2nd photo comes from the Jills Open Practice held at the start of June. Shown posing are 2nd year vet Courteney and rookie Meghan. Something that isn't widely known to the fans is the fact that rookie Jills are paired up with a veteran "buddy" to turn to for help in acclimating to the squad. Courteney is fellow ambassador squad member Meghan's buddy. We can't say for sure that Courteney's trademark positivity rubbed off on Meghan because she may have already had it already. One veteran who has definitely rubbed off on Meghan is Murissa...they both just love to pose for the camera like nobody's business.

From the Bandettes, we have a photo from the Pearl Street Postgame party following the February 6 game against the Toronto Rock. Shown posing for the camera are Meghan, Beth, and Justina. Meghan just completed her 5th year on the squad, the last 2 as captain, and has been a big contributor in helping get the info on the Bandettes out to the fans. Beth was in her 4th season on the squad after starting out in 2006 with Meghan and taking 2009 off. Justina finished up her 2nd season as a captain like Meghan did, but got named captain in only her 2nd season, with her rookie season being the 2008 Championship Season.

The Jills at the 2nd Annual BBQ and Blues Bash

Friday evening, Buffalo's Cobblestone District was the setting as the Gateway-Longview family service organization put together their 2nd Annual BBQ and Blues Bash as a fundraiser for their non-profit organization. On hand to meet, take pictures with, and sign autographs for the fans were members of the Buffalo Jills as well as 3 players from the Buffalo Bills. 2nd year veteran Ambassadors Lindsay and Alyssa joined rookies Meghan and Morgan in selling Chinese auction tickets as well, with prizes donated from the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres. Learn more about Gateway-Longview at www.gateway-longview.org and see the pics at http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/buffalojills2005/2010/BBQ%20Bash/

Coming up next for the Jills, you can meet some at Buffalo's Biggest 80s Bash on Saturday, June 26 at Dunn Tire Raceway Park in Lancaster where some of the girls will not only be mingling with the crowd but performing as well. Check out all the details at http://www.80sbash.com/ 

Don't forget that the Taste of Buffalo is also a great place to meet some of the Buffalo Jills as they'll be in attendance both afternoons for the largest 2-day food festival in the USA. Check out more about the event at http://www.tasteofbuffalo.com/