Buffalo Jill of The Week Murissa

This week, we take a look at our first dancer as our Buffalo Jill of The Week. Murissa is in her 4th season and can be found anchoring one end of Valerie's line next to Krystin. This self-admitted princess says this will be her final season on the squad but I am one of many who hope that won't be the case. That extends to more than just the fans that see her on gamedays. Last season, she took not one, but two trips to the Middle East to visit with and perform for the troops stationed there. Obviously the soldiers fell in love with her because of not only her beauty, but her fun and loving personality. The feeling was definitely mutual as I'm sure those trips will be among the highlights of Murissa's Jills career. It's going to be hard imagining her leaving though, just as it was for the Jill who served as her veteran buddy in her rookie season, longtime Ambassador captain Kelly H. They each have these incredible personalities that not only make them great to know, but shine through in their photos. And Murissa is someone who just loves having her photo taken and will strike a pose for the camera in virtually any situation it seems...lol.You can read more about Murissa at http://www.buffalojills.net/article.asp?id=1961256 Murissa's secondary photo comes from the 9th Annual Buffalo Jills Golf Tourney and features Murissa, Lisa, and Natalie posing for the camera. Just prior to taking this pic, Murissa gave Lisa a big hug...just to soak up some of the water from Lisa's time in the dunk tank on a pretty hot day...lol.

Murissa, Lisa, and Natalie

Finally, take a look back at Murissa's routine from 1st cuts held at the Healthy Zone Fieldhouse where she performed alongside Reena.

Buffalo Jill of The Week Murissa

After spending the last few weeks with members of the Jills Ambassador Squad, this week's Jill of The Week absolutely lives to dance. Murissa is the only rookie from the 2008 season still on the squad and this photographer hopes she sticks around for several years to come. Besides the fact she's gorgeous and has a smile any dentist would dream of, she's also the squad's biggest poser. That's not to say she's fake, as the word usually means though. She's far from it. What it does mean is that she absolutely loves the camera and will even pose on her own for a photo, something most of the Jills aren't comfortable doing except for their profile and calendar shots. She even posed for the camera as soon as she walked into the Conference Center for the Jills Open Workshop this year once she saw the camera! There's a lot more to Rissa than how she's a photographer's dream. Her most impressive quality is what a big heart she has...as big as her smile. Besides how interacts in the community and with the fans, she jumped at the chance to visit the troops this season not once, but twice with a trip to Iraq at the end of November and another to Saudi Arabia at the end of January. And to the surprise of no one that knows her, the soldiers fell in love with her almost immediately. She also is the type who puts herself out for her friends and came through in a big way to ensure the squad got some excellent coverage in Toronto this year.

Each season, rookie Jills get named a veteran buddy to help them along and show them the ropes of what's expected of them as a Buffalo Jill. I'm not sure what criteria is used on who gets whom but when Murissa was a rookie, her vet buddy was then-Ambassador Squad captain Kelly H. Steph couldn't have made a better pairing because Kelly was known for her outgoing personality and in many ways, Murissa has been the same way she was. Murissa's secondary photo comes from the opening game against the Miami Dolphins. The photo was taken early in the 3rd quarter when Eileen's line was in front of my section and features Nicole, Katie, Reena, and Murissa performing a cheer.

For tryouts this year, Murissa teamed up with fellow 2008 rookie Jackie for 1st cuts and, like many vets have done over the last few years, they even had matching outfits with their tryout numbers on the backs of their tops. Take a look at their tryout video together.

You can read more about Murissa at http://buffalojills.net/article.asp?id=1961256

Buffalo Pro Cheer Photos of The Week

This week's 1st Jills photo comes from 1st cuts and features 3 outstanding Jills dance veterans. From left to right are Murissa, Anna, and Stefanie. Murissa and Anna are both heading into their 3rd seasons on the squad while Stefanie is going into her 5th. Murissa's the type who loves the spotlight and the camera...as evidenced by the fact she strikes a pose more than any other vet on the squad. Anna was an early departure last season but the TV networks leaped for joy when she came back this year as the cameras seemed to love focusing on her. Stefanie contributes not only experience and beauty to the squad but some gymnastic ability as well as she's spent some time over the course of her Jills career doing some of the tumbling in Jills routines and performances.

Our 2nd Jills photo comes from an appearance in June at the West Valley-Ellicottville Alumni Football game. Appearing at the event were a pair of statuesque brunette Ambassadors in the form of Lindsay and Jessica W. Lindsay is going into her 2nd year on the squad and is known to overload herself with projects and schoolwork, something her fiance has been helping her to quit doing. Jessica is a rookie on the squad who also keeps herself very busy. She was one of two Jills to work both the Friday night and Saturday afternoon draft parties along with Loren, who also worked the Thursday event as well and after the appearance this photo was from, instead of going home, she went to cheer on her boyfriend in a softball tournament.

From the Bandettes, we feature a photo from the first home game against the Toronto Rock back in February. At the game, the Bandettes unveiled some new uniforms and after dancing in them during the 1st half, they posed for photos to show them off before they went out for their halftime performance. Shown posing here are Kirsten, Stephanie G, Lauren S, and Melissa. Kirsten and Lauren were in their 2nd seasons with the Bandettes while Stephanie flashed her pretty smile during her rookie campaign this year. Melissa, in her 3rd season as a co-captain, has been on the squad since 2005. Her 6 seasons makes her the longest-tenured veteran on the Bandettes.

Buffalo Jill of The Week Murissa

Last week, we looked at stunning 2nd year vet Jackie as our Jill of The Week. We even included a video showing her performance at the Town Ballroom for 1st dance cuts this year and her partner for that performance was this week's Jill of The Week, the equally stunning Murissa. A self-admitted princess (with her own prince), this 2nd year dancer can be found on Omarlla's line on gamedays between Vincenza and Kelly. Murissa loves to laugh and enjoy life and loves to pose for photos as well, and seems to seek out the camera more than most. One thing she leaves out in her official bio is her singing ability, something she hasn't shared with the fans as of yet...but notice I used the word "yet." Back in 2006, Aimee and Keiyonna did some singing at some major Jills events and maybe, just maybe, we'll get a microphone in Murissa's hands one of these days as well. But beyond all that, Murissa's strongest quality is her heart. She loves her squadmates immensely and being a Jill more than almost anything. Like many of the Jills, she knew some of her squadmates before joining, but since becoming a Buffalo Jill, she's made many, many more that she's just as close with as the ones she knew beforehand. You can read more about Murissa at http://buffalojills.net/roster/murissa.php

Jills on CNN/SI!!

CNN/SI's cameras were clicking at last week's disaster of a football game and got some great pics of something that was anything but a disaster. They have a great set of pics of our Buffalo Jills in action with photos of Angelina, Anna, Jackie, Stephanie, Murissa, and Vincenza. Check them out at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0910/nfl.cheerleaders.week5/content.18.html

Stanz Benefit at Shawbucks

Frequently, the Jills are asked to appear at various charitable events in which they greet the attendees, sell raffle tickets, and sign autographs. Today in Jamestown, NY was one of those such events. Shawbucks bar was the scene where a benefit is being held today for Staff Sgt John J Stanz of the US Marine Corps. Last month, the young man was critically injured by an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan and is currently surviving in a coma in the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, MD. A number of live bands are performing throughout the course of the day at the event with a $10 cover charge that goes to the family and the recovery of the injured Marine. His parents, owners of their own business, are at his bedside currently to be there for when he awakes by the medically induced coma. On hand for this event were not only 3 current Jills, but 3 more Jills alumni lending their support. Joining the pretty full barload of patrons were Murissa, Kaitlin, and Ruby (who helped organize the whole event) and former Jills twins Jill R and Joy (2007) and Dominica (2005). http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/buffalojills2005/2009/Stanz%20Benefit/

If you're in the Jamestown area, the event is still going on until 10 but if not, there are still plenty of fundraisers planned that you can find out about by going to http://www.rdido.com/Home/Events_and_Fund_Raisers.html and read more about Staff Sgt Stanz at http://www.truehero.us/

The Jills are still keeping very busy with the Bills opening up the season on the road with a pep rally at Fountain Plaza Monday at noon and an appearance in Fort Erie for MNF. Also, don't forget about the Edge Away Game parties being held this season at the Aud Sports Bar in Depew. I can tell you from first hand experience that last year's Away game parties are worth attending and the new location this year should only improve the experience.

The Jills next return to the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium one week from today as the Bills host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their first ever regular season appearance at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The only time that the Buccaneers have played in Western NY prior to this was a preseason matchup in 1977! Besides seeing the dancers onfield just prior to and during the game, you can meet the Jills Ambassador Squad in the Fieldhouse and at the 97Rock and 103.3 The Edge Tailgate parties prior to the game where you can pick up your Buffalo Jills Swimsuit Calendars if you haven't already. And if you have, you can still get it signed by Buffalo's Beauties.

Jills on CNN/SI.com!

Last week, the Jills got some national notice when Maxim.com showed off some of the Jills on their site in photos taken by Fisher Creative Image Photography in their work on the new 2009-10 Buffalo Jills Swimsuit Calendar!
Well, now it's CNN/SI's turn to start paying homage to the ladies of the gridiron and in their first set of the season, the Jills got 7 shots up with a group shot of Omarlla, Christina, and Kelly as well as individuals of Christina, Jill, Anna, Gabrielle, and Murissa. Check it out at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0908/nfl.preseason.cheerleaders/content.36.html

Buffalo Jill of The Week Murissa

This week's Jill of The Week is, happily, someone who isn't going anywhere soon. This is Murissa's rookie year on the squad and can be found on Omarlla's line between Omarlla and Christina. A little-known fact about the Jills is that rookies on the squad get a "buddy," a veteran squadmate who they can turn to for advice whenever they need it on adapting to becoming a professional cheerleader. Besides dancing between 2 captains on gamedays, Murissa also has Ambassador Squad captain Kelly as her "buddy." But beyond what she's got going for her on the squad, Murissa is a very outgoing young lady who loves making people smile whether it be from her singing or from laughter from her sarcastic wit. She's also a self-described princess who has, sorry guys, found her prince. You can read more about Murissa at http://buffalojills.net/bios/murissa.html and don't forget to check out her 97Rock photo gallery at http://www.97rock.com/Article.asp?id=897693

Buffalo Jills and Bandettes Photos of The Week

Once again we take a look at a photo from the Jills Congratulatory Party as our first photo. This one was taken after 97Rock's DJ Jickster brought all the rookies out in front of the stage and had a few of the rookies answer some Bills trivia questions. Here we see Lonna, Lynn, and Murissa waiting for a question while Alison, seen twirling her hair in an effort to fluster poor Jickster, is about to answer the question posed to her. Not seen in this photo are the other 2 rookies were were chosen for this trivia questiona-and-answer session, Stephanie Br and Kristin B.

Our second pic is, once again, from last year's Jills Golf Tournament (this year's is coming up on the 21st!). This pic was taken after the actual tournament while the golfers were returning to the clubhouse for dinner, entertainment, and the raffle. Seen here is the director's husband Jon posing with 4 members of the Jills Ambassador Squad. From left to right are Vincenza, Amanda F, Katherine, and Danielle. A word of advice to anyone who'll be golfing at Fox Valley on Monday in the tournament. If your golf party is just ahead of Jon's and they're catching up to you, don't waste your time asking the Jills to distract him to slow him down. As Katie K told a golfer who asked that 2 years ago, "He's immune to us being able to distract him." LOL

This week, our Bandettes photo is actually from a road game. The Buffalo-Rochester rivalry in the NLL is an intense one for a few different reasons. Some players have played for both teams, they face off in the playoffs quite frequently it seems, and obviously the proximity to one another is a big factor as well. Due in part to this proximity, some Knightingales cheerleaders come to Buffalo when the teams face off and likewise, our Buffalo Bandettes have a group going to Rochester quite regularly. In this April's matchup in Rochester, the stands boasted 3 of the Buffalo Bandettes. While the quantity was small, the quality was large as the 3 that went were fan favorite Sarah and co-captains Meghan and Melissa.

Buffalo Jills photos of The Week

The Buffalo Jill of The Week feature is going on hiatus until September so until then, we'll be taking a look at some current and past Buffalo Jills at some of their appearances, events, and games from the past. We'll take a look at some past Jills, some current vets, and some of the beautiful and talented rookies who joined up with the Jills just this season.
The first pair of photos are the most recent, coming from the 3rd Annual Niagara Falls Fire Department Motorcycle Run which took finished up at the Hard Rock Cafe down near the American Falls.
The 1st pic features a pair of rookies, Anna and Murissa, in a shot taken right in front of the American Falls. Anna is one of a pair of Canadians on the squad and rather enjoyed being treated like a celebrity while on the recent Jills calendar trip. Murissa lives to dance and cheer and has an incredibly supportive family...many of them came out to see her at this appearance.

The 2nd pic features a trio of vets, Jenica, Amanda F, and Vincenza, posing with 97Rock's Concert Correspondent, DJ Jickster. Jenica is in her 3rd season coming off a season as the Swimsuit calendar covergirl. Amanda and Vincenza are 2nd year members of the Ambassador Squad who've each picked up a strong following among Bills fans with their time on the squad so far.

And yes, those are new uniforms. There've been a few modifications made to the Jills uniforms since last season and we'll see more of the modifications over the coming months.