The Bandettes at the Bandits-Wings game

The Bandits opened off their season this year with a loss in Philadelphia but, with the teams sharing the division, an opportunity for payback would come up quick and the teams faced off again in First Niagara Center in Buffalo. Unlike the season opener, this game stayed close all game long and, instead of a 13-8 loss, the Bandits came through for the hometown fans with a 14-13 win which wasn't decided until Luke Wiles buried a shot with 23.6 seconds left in regulation.

LB, MaKenzie, and Alicia

I started off my evening at the arena with LB's line...Kirsten's line was at Cobblestone for the Bandits pregame party while LB, MaKenzie, Alicia, and Erin were on one end of the escalator bank and Jessica, Amanda T, Cheri, and Kelsey greeted fans coming up the other bank.

Jessica, Amanda T, Cheri, and Kelsey

After grabbing a few photos, it was time to head to the seats to get ready for the game. Of course as the squad was waiting to head out for pregame, some of the girls posed for photos...and I think everyone knows who posed for the most...Stephanie...lol....definitely the biggest camera ham on the Bandettes.

Stephanie and MaKenzie

Kirsten and Chelsea

Of course with 17 very beautiful young women on the Bandettes, they all deserve a lot of attention and they all are getting plenty of camera time as well.

pregame performance with Kelsey up in the air

Danielle, Cheri, Chrissy, and Amanda T in pregame

Cheri celebrating a goal

LB and MaKenzie

Kirsten's line in the 3rd quarter

Both lines performing together in the 4th quarter

Amanda T and Kelsey

See all the pics at http://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/5769
The Bandettes are back in action next Saturday night as the division-leading Toronto Rock comes to First Niagara Center to face off against the Bandits!

Jills tryouts set

The NFL Buffalo Jills Cheerleaders hold open workshops and auditions for cheerleaders, dancers & models beginning Tuesday, March 5th. Jills Director, Stephanie Mateczun, Nichole Ranney our Coordinator and well-known Choreographer, Kelli Wagner, insure that the Jills are in top-notch shape for game day performances as well as appearances. In addition to mandatory practices two times a week (Tues & Thurs, 6:30-10:00pm) and their full time work and/or school schedules, the Jills participate in a variety of community events that involve the Buffalo Bills, area businesses and numerous charities. The Jills also host three (3) popular Jr Jills programs for young cheerleaders/dancers, a Jill’s golf tournament and other great events throughout the Western New York area. The minimum requirement for auditions is that each young lady needs to be at least 18 years old by the first physical workshop they attend in March. There is no age limit! 

Formal dance and/or cheerleading experience are not mandatory but extremely helpful. Not a dancer but have the Jills look and love to be around people? We also have a non-performing squad to compliment our popular dance squad. Our non-performing Jills are “Ambassador Jills” and part of our team 100%! Being a Buffalo Jill requires a lot of time and dedication. You must have a significant amount of availability in your schedule in order to fulfill your commitment as an NFL Cheerleader. Cheerleaders do not travel out of town with the team but do participate in all home games (including Toronto).


See full details at http://buffalojills.com/event_details.php?EID=1

Bandette of The Week Jessica

This week, we look at 3rd year vet Jessica as our Buffalo Bandette of The Week. Dancing on LB's line, Jess has been kind of a co-captain for her and when LB was contemplating retirement at the end of last season, Jessica made sure to tell me she'd do her best to fill in for her. Thankfully, she doesn't have to do that and the two of them have been almost inseperable ever since they first performed together in Toronto alongside the Jills. Currently working as a fitness trainer, she's hoping to one day become an athletic trainer like Dr Sherri LaShomb of the Buffalo Bandits. When Jessica was in high school, she was voted "friends with everyone" and in this case, it's pretty accurate. Jessica is closest with LB and with Chrissy, but she is the type to go out of her way to help the less-experienced members of the squad get acclimated to whatever they need to do. You can read more about Jessica at http://www.bandits.com/bbio.asp?bandID=JessicaM Jessica's secondary photo is from the pregame party at Cobblestone Bar before the Home Opener. Shown smiling for the camera while working on their raffle tickets are Jessica and Amanda T.

Jessica and Amanda T at the Pregame party before the Home Opener

Buffalo Jill of The Week Kayla

This week, we take a look at rookie blonde Kayla as our Buffalo Jill of The Week. Dancing on Omarlla's line on gamedays between Omarlla and Jenny, Kayla is working on her degree in social work and psychology with the intent to gets her masters after finishing her undergraduate work. She'd love to travel the world helping people when she's done with her degrees but would also love to stay on the sidelines, even after her cheering days are done, as a sideline reporter like Erin Andrews or Alex Flanagan. When it comes to Jills practices and appearances, a lot of emphasis is put into punctuality and girls are encouraged to try to show up early for these things just so that in case of any issues, they can still most likely show up on time. This is something Kayla was focused on even before the Jills, thanks to her mother. She'd rather be a couple of hours early than even a minute late. You can read more about Kayla at http://buffalojills.com/profile.php?PID=86 Kayla's secondary photo comes from Pro Bowl Dan's visit to Toronto and the tailgate party outside the Rogers Centre. Posing for a photo are Kayla, Omarlla, and Nicole L.

Kayla, Omarlla, and Nicole L

Meet Kayla in this short video shot at Jills 1st cuts with commentary done by Jills choreographer Kelli Wagner.

Shown on the right, see Kayla perform at 1st cuts, showing off her dance movies for the judges.

Jills alum to compete in The Amazing Race

A married couple from Buffalo will be taking part in CBS' The Amazing Race when the show kicks off for the 22nd time in February.

Thirty-year-old cigar salesman Max Bichler and his wife, 24-year-old pharmacist and former Buffalo Jill, Katie Bichler will be competing with 11 other teams for a chance to win $1 million.

The newlyweds say this adventure around the world will be their honeymoon. Max and Katie met at a local charity golf tournament in Canada that Max plays in every year.
Read more at http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/locals-part-of-the-amazing-race-cast