Giving some props to a former Jill

Here at the Buffalo Pro Cheer Blog, we haven't held back from praising the Jills and Bandettes as well as members of other Buffalo squads for all their hard work. When they leave the squad, we generally respect their privacy as they've left the spotlight but will definitely promote their businesses when they want the attention. We've got alumnae from these squads running their own businesses in Buffalo, NYC, Charlotte, NC, and Kentucky to name a few places. There are also alumnae who kept performing like actress Theresa Joy and singers Ashlee A and Aimee L but there are also some who have made their mark in a big way without fanfare. Jills alum Jenn C (1997-2004) is a co-chair for the Buffalo chapter of the Blondes Vs Brunettes organization and under the leadership of Jenn and co-chair Deanna Bednarz, they've raised over $200,000 for the Alzheimer's Association of Western NY.

Desiree and Chelsea, a 2012 Jills alum who was on hand to support her friend's cause

Saturday, after the Bandits Open Practice and the 716ers game, I stopped by Bottoms Up, a club on Chippewa Avenue in Buffalo. The reason for this wasn't to go clubbing or anything but I was invited to the birthday party that a former Jill was throwing for her mother. It wasn't a typical birthday party though as Desiree (2005 Jills) and her mother are huge on doing a lot for our furry friends. Instead of just a regular party, Desiree had a chinese auction set up and a 50-50 drawing with all the proceeds going to benefit the Buffalo Animal Shelter. When all was said and done, Desiree's party raised well over $1000 to help take care of the animals in Buffalo and to find them good homes. None of this surprises me as since I've gotten to know Desiree the last few years, I've noticed that she's almost like Buffalo's answer to Joanna Krupa, a model/actress who uses her fame to help out animal causes around the world. Desiree may not have the fame Joanna does, but it's great to see people doing their part on behalf of charity, proof that she's not just a pretty face.

Introducing the Buffalo 716ers Dancers!

Professional basketball has had an up-and-down existence in Buffalo. The Buffalo Braves still have a devoted fanbase who want to see an NBA team return to Buffalo after the Braves left for the west coast to play in San Diego and then LA as the Clippers. In the past decade, three seperate minor league franchises have set up shop in Buffalo before folding and the 716ers are hoping the 4th one is the charm, playing in the Premier Basketball League for a 2nd season. Playing their home games at Tapestry Charter School just south of Hertel Avenue in North Buffalo just off Delaware Avenue, the games are affordable at $7 a ticket and this season feature a dance team that performs at intermissions and halftime.

With this being my 1st game covering the 716ers Girls, I had no idea what to expect so I kind of played it by ear. I never saw the squad's coaches when I was there which I found different but the squad seemed to be well-prepared from what I could tell. When I got there, I grabbed a seat in the stands not far from a rookie on the Bandettes who knows some members of the squad as well as some of the players.
Since I wasn't totally sure how to approach working with a brand new squad like this, I stuck to shooting video of their performances as well as a few stills of them in action. Hopefully as the season goes on, I'll get more photos and video of them in action.

For the people who really want to lure the NBA back to Buffalo, I definitely encourage you to go to these games. Besides the fact that these are professional basketball players representing Buffalo who deserve the support, a top league like the NBA will only take notice if the passion for pro basketball is high in the area. Back in the mid-90s, when MLB was looking at expanding, Buffalo had a strong shot at getting a franchise for one reason...Buffalo Bisons games had a lot of support. The support the AAFC Buffalo Bills got is also a huge reason that Ralph Wilson Jr placed the AFL's Bills in Buffalo as well.
As far as the game itself, Buffalo took an early lead behind Antonio Speed and Glenroy Carr and never looked back, sending the Titans back to Lynchburg after getting crushed by a score of 127-82 in front of a sold-out crowd for the Home Opener.
Coming up next for the 716ers and 716ers Girls, the Erie Hurricane blow into Buffalo Saturday at 2pm!

The Bandettes at the 2014-15 Bandits Open Practice!

It's that time of year again as the NFL season winds down and the NLL season gets set to start up. In Buffalo, the odd feeling of football games with no cheerleaders is about to be replaced with the familiar feeling of lacrosse games accompanied by the NLL's premier dance squad but even as we get to see our beloved Bandettes in action again, there are always changes with a lot of roster turnover this season with several long-time veterans retiring and plenty of fresh-faced rookies ready to take the proverbial stage.

Stephanie, Lauren, LaToya, Abby, Cheri, and Syidah pose with L.B.

On Saturday, the NLL's Buffalo Bandits held their annual Open Practice in front of one of the largest crowds in a few years. Shortly after arriving, I took in a little bit of the practice before heading out to see the Bandettes where they were in their familiar spots near the top of the escalators greeting fans, posing for photos, and handing out information on their Jr Bandettes program. I started out on the east end where Lauren and Stephanie's line was accompanied by L.B., who obviously is already missing being on the squad. I have to say I called that one. She'd been talking about maybe retiring for a couple of years and I wasn't willing to believe she was definitely retiring until she actually did it.

Brittany, Melanie, Mandy, Chrissy, Erin, Jessica, MaKenzie, Brianna, and Jennifer

After grabbing some photos, it was off to the west end where Mandy and Chrissy's line was accompanied by Jessica and Erin. While there grabbing photos, I got to say hi to two familiar faces, one in the form of returning Bandettes alum Brianna N and the other in rookie Brittany, who I knew was a close friend of a Jills alum I used to know pretty well. After taking a few photos and talking with some of them, they were off to get ready for their 1st of 2 performances, showing off the routine they tried out with.

After their performance, which was scheduled midway through the practice to give the team a break, it was off to the stands with the Bandettes as they circulated among the fans, posing for photos, signing autographs, and handing out Jr Bandettes info. By the time they got through the crowds, it was time to get ready to perform again, their last performance before the Bandits Home Opener on January 3rd as the Buffalo Bandits play host to the Edmonton Rush at First Niagara Center at 7:30!

Putting on a show!

See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/7920

2010-11 Buffalo Bandits Open Practice-revisted

Normally, the Bandits Open Practice is the 1st time that the public gets to meet the Bandettes or see them in action. In 2010 however, the Bandettes actually did perform before the Open Practice when they joined the Jills, several Jills alumnae, and dancers from Fusion Dance Studio in Toronto performing along with Hinder at the Bears-Bills game at the Rogers Centre. While I didn't get to meet any of the rookies that day, though I did get a chance to talk to some of the vets like Lauren S, Kirsten, Stephanie, and Chelsea, I did at least recognize the new faces from getting some photos and video of them in Toronto.

LB, Jessica, Danielle, and Justina

Melissa, Chrissy, Lauren S, Stephanie G, Beth, Krista, and Ashley

Squad photo!

Chrissy, Jessica M, Jessica H, Kirsten, Lauren S, and Chelsea

One of the most unique things at this open practice was a wrestling match in which players would challenge one another for bragging rights. At one point, late in the wrestling session, Jaclyn asked the girls if a pair of them would like to go out and challenge one of the players. The previous season, during the games, LB was usually right beside me and anytime that the players got into it, she got a little excited but couldn't do much to show it. Needless to say, LB was more than ready to go out to join in the wrestling match and she got rookie Jessica M to join her. When they reached the ring, they challenged Bandits enforcer Brandon Francis, who had been undefeated throughout the session. LB was the more vocal of the pair while Jessica was taking it all in. Brandon backed down from LB and Jessica, which only got LB even more fired up. Brandon conceded to the girls and I don't think LB could've smiled any bigger as she and Jessica left the turf to rejoin their squadmates.

Jessica M and LB out in the wrestling ring

triumphant!

See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/2489
From the 2013 Buffalo Jills comes a photo from last year's Ravens game. This photo was taken at the end of the 1st quarter when Christina's line was changing sections. Shown as they walk past the tunnel are Christina and Taylor.

Christina and Taylor

2009-10 Bandits Open Practice and the 2010 Auto Show-revisited

To lead off the 2010 Bandits season, they held their annual Open Practice complete with a lot of changes, both on the team and on the Bandettes. Several well-known faces moved on, including head coach Erin J, making Jaclyn the new head coach with Erin Y as her assistant and head choreographer. The Bandettes also featured a familiar face, Beth, who had taken the 2009 season off. As Justina told me, Beth's return was to bring back some luck to the Bandits after a 1st round loss in the playoffs the previous spring. Since the two of them danced together in 2008 when the Bandits won it all, a reunion of the two might help it happen again in 2010.
I made it to the arena just before the start of practice and soon after grabbing a seat, the Bandettes were coming out of the tunnel to perform, giving everyone a 1st look at the 2010 Buffalo Bandettes!

Z and rookie LB

Lonna smiles for the camera with her mentor Lauren S

Out of the 6 faces that were new to the squad in 2010, in addition to Beth, one more familiar face joined the squad. All through the summer of 2009, Lonna, who had been on the 2008 Buffalo Jills, asked me about Bandettes tryouts and for info on the squad. With a lot of hard work, she became a member of the 2010 Bandettes alongside LB, Ashley, Chelsea, and Stephanie G. After their performance, they spent time in the concourses and the seating area greeting fans, signing autographs, posing for photos, and handing out info for their Jr Bandettes program.

Chelsea, Lonna, Beth, Stephanie, Alexis, and Justina

Squad photo!

See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/2016

In February, the annual Buffalo Auto Show was held at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center and besides the new model cars on display, one of the draws every year is the chance to meet some local sports celebrities. On Wednesday of the Auto Show, they brought in former Bill Ruben Brown, former Sabres Rob Ray and Gilbert Perreault, and current Bandits superstar Johnny Tavares. With Johnny in attendance, it only seemed fitting for some of the Bandettes to appear as well. When I got there, Meghan, Amanda Z, Alexis, and Lauren B hadn't been there for long themselves and were checking out some of the new cars before they had to go join Johnny for his autograph session. In addition to getting pictures with some of the fans, LB and Alexis were all too happy to get some photos while in the driver's seat of some of the cars.

LB checks out one of the new cars

Alexis in a Lexus, of course!

After the girls were finished posing in some of the vehicles, like Alexis in a Lexus, it was time to go join Johnny Tavares as he signed autographs and posed for pictures with the fans. When we got up there, it seemed a pretty good portion of the Auto Show attendees were already in line getting autograph. The girls joined in, grabbing a photo with Johnny themselves and posing with fans after they got their autographs from him. 

LB, Meghan, Johnny Tavares, Alexis, and Amanda Z

Late in the session, as the lines came to an end, Lauren, a rookie on the Bandettes that season, showed a side that recent fans would never expect. She asked Mr Tavares if she could get an autograph for her boyfriend. The request wasn't all that unusual of course but she seemed so timid and shy about it. She's grown a lot since then and her confidence is immensely stronger than it used to be. That's one of the things I love about running this site and working with Buffalo's Pro Cheerleaders. Obviously getting them lots of pics and recognition for their work is key but it's pretty special when you get to see someone grow the way LB has over the years. See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/2184
From the Jills we have a photo from last year's Jets game. The Bills have given notice to a Jill every home game and call it their Jill of The Week award...even though without making it an actual weekly thing, it's more accurately the Jill of The Game award.  For this game, 2nd year vet Dana, a captain of the Ambassador Squad, got the call. Shown is a photo of Dana coming back off the field after being introduced to the fans.

Dana coming off  the field as the dancers head out to perform