Bandette of The Week Mandy

We start up our annual Bandette of The Week series by taking a look at one of the beautiful captains on the squad. Mandy is in her 3rd season on the squad and her 2nd as a captain, which says a lot about how dedicated and focused she is on making sure the Bandettes remain the premier dance squad in the NLL. Never one to let things just happen, she's the type who makes things happen and she's used that drive to help her earn degrees in dance and communications. Her dedication is likely a big factor why she got named captain in only her 2nd season and now, with so many rookies on the squad, she's one of the most experienced on the squad with only Stephanie and MaKenzie having been Bandettes longer. Besides the experience and wisdom that comes with all her time in college and dance, perhaps Mandy's greatest attribute is her positivity. No matter what she's working on or going through, she does it all with a smile on her face. As a matter of fact, I think I've only seen her frown once....and it was staged expressly for a photo. Mandy's secondary photo comes from the Bandits Open Practice held back in December. Shown posing for a photo is most of Mandy's line. Posing from left to right are Amanda, Angela, Ti, Janelle, Mandy, Rachel, and Syidah.

Amanda, Angela, Megan, Janelle, Mandy, Rachel, and Syidah

From the Jills comes a photo from the 2013 game against the Baltimore Ravens. Shown as they come off the field just before halftime are Emmy and Allysha.

Emmy and Allysha

The Bandettes at the 2016 Buffalo Bandits Opener

It was the beginning of a new era in Banditland Saturday night as, for the 1st time in the history of the franchise, the legendary John Tavares was no longer suiting up for the team. Well, that's not exactly true as although he was no longer leading the team out on the floor, he's now in an actual suit and tie behind the bench as the team's new offensive coordinator. That being said, the Bandits will be playing homage to him all season long beyond retiring his number in a couple of months with their celebration of 25 years in existence.

Ti handing out game programs

The Bandits started off their 25th season in much the same way as they handled their 24th season, with strong defense and a tight low-scoring affair. With free agent acquisition Daryl Veltman tallying a goal against his former team and 2 goals each from stalwarts Ryan Benesch and Dhane Smith, the Bandits squeaked out a win over the visiting Calgary Roughnecks by a score of 10-9 after Dhane's game-winner with 1:10 remaining in the game.
Thanks to quick service at Washington Square, I got down to the Arena after dinner and was greeted by Jennifer and Ti, handling game program duties for the 1st hour the gates were opened up. After catching up with them briefly, it was up to the 100 level where Mandy's line was handing out Bandits schedule magnets. This is only the 2nd season the Bandits have handed those out but the Bills, who had previously handed those out every season, failed to do so in 2015. I got a chance to talk to Mandy and Amanda (a returning alum whose uncle I'm longtime friends with) real briefly before it was time to go see Stephanie's line on the other side of the escalators. Both lines were pretty busy with lots of fans but Stephanie's line was getting pulled in every direction by fans, family members, and friends excited for the rookies on the squad. One rookie who was especially excited was Karley, who was unable to dance at the Open Practice. Her excitement didn't stop in pregame as she was practically glowing all game long as she danced alongside Stephanie and the rest of her squadmates.

Sarah, Jessica, MaKenzie, Deanna, Stephanie, and Karley

Bandettes in action

Sarah clearly loves the camera almost as much as it loves her

Mandy and Angela

After the game got started and I got to catch up briefly with coach Erin, who was loving getting to spend time with her Bandettes, it was business as usual. I will always say I have the best seats in the house as I have the Bandettes dancing right beside me with MaKenzie and Angela the closest. The negative is that there is always one young lady on each line I have to work a little harder to ensure they get plenty of photos. Given the striking beauty of rookies Jessica and Ti, it's definitely worth the effort to get them on camera. One thing extra I did do at the game was to get a squad photo in their new t-shirts, both because of the t-shirts and because Jackie had been unable to make the Open Practice last month. The squad photo we have is now complete though coaxing the lovely coach Erin into a few squad photos is definitely a must.

Squad Photo!!

The gorgeous captains and co-captains Mandy, MaKenzie, Janelle, and Stephanie

Karley clearly enjoying herself and the Bandits lead

Ebony beauties Jennifer, Syidah, and Ti

Rookie beauties Deanna and Jessica

See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/8878

Next up for the Bandettes, while the Bandits travel to Colorado next Saturday night, they all return home to the First Niagara Center on January 23rd for a big matchup against the hated Toronto Rock.

NFL cheerleaders win ruling in fight for better wages

The cheerleaders for the NFL's Buffalo Bills were given the go ahead with their class action lawsuit against the team demanding better wages.

The ruling this week by a New York state judge allows "all Buffalo Bills cheerleaders and ambassadors since April 2008" to come together on the suit. Five former cheerleaders had originally brought individual suits against the team.

The cheerleaders' lawyer, Christopher Marlborough, told CNNMoney that he is pleased with the ruling and "fighting for the rights" of all Bills cheerleaders who are making claims.
Read more at http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/09/news/nfl-cheerleaders-buffalo-bills-jills/

Meet the Lady 716ers-part 3

We finish up our look at the 2015-16 Lady 716ers by meeting Katrina and Arlisha as well as coach and choreographer Loren.

Katrina, Loren, and Arlisha

Katrina started dancing at 2 yrs old, taking tap at the Miss Barbara Dance School . Following the Miss Barbara Dance School she went over to The Dance camp, where she learned Tap, Jazz and Ballet. Her favorite dance genre is Jazz. She was a member of McKinley High School dance, cheer, and drill team.

Growing up in Buffalo, Loren started dancing at the age of three. After transitioning to Eugenia's Dance Studio at nine years old, Loren became a part of the studio's competition team and travel dance company, the Talent Express. Her love of dancing helped her attain assistant teaching and teaching roles at the studio until leaving in 2009 to pursue her dream of becoming an NFL Cheerleader where she spent 4 seasons, including 2 as a co-captain.


Buffalo born and raised, Arlisha started dancing when she was 12 years old at Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts. She has been dancing ever since! Arlisha also likes to read and shop.

From the Bandettes comes another photo from last month's Bandits Open Practice. There is a total of 9 new faces on the squad that weren't there last year and pictured here are the rookies who are dancing on Stephanie's line. Shown posing for the camera are Karley, Deanna, Jessica, and Sarah.

Karley, Deanna, Jessica, and Sarah

From the Jills comes a photo from the 2006 game against the Jets. Before they went out to accompany Billy Buffalo around the field, these two beauties were signing calendars and posing for photos inside the Fieldhouse. Shown posing for the camera are Kelly and Danielle M.

Kelly and Danielle M

Meet the Lady 716ers-Part 2

We continue our look at the 2015-16 Lady 716ers by meeting Brittany and Shannon as well as getting to know coach/captain LaToya again.

Brittany, LaToya, and Shannon

Brittany is a dance teacher and student, studying dietics and nutrition.

Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Latoya was destined to be a dancer. As a child she would record music videos on VHS and teach herself the choreography. During her teen and early twenties she danced with local dance groups such as Prestige and distrikt7. She has danced in several promotional videos for local choreographer Zeke Titus and also booked a gig as a backup dancer in an opening act for a Miguel Concert.

Shannon started cheerleading at the age of 7, and continued throughout high school. She graduated from Buffalo state College with her Bachelor's, and recently graduated from Medaille College with her Masters in Psychology. She loves to dance and hang out with her pets and family.

From the Bandettes comes a photo from the recent Bandits Open Practice and features 4 newcomers to the squad. Shown posing for the camera are members of Mandy's line, Amanda, Megan, Angela, and Rachel. If Amanda looks familiar to you, she should. Amanda is actually an alum who was on the squad in 2013.

Amanda, Megan, Angela, and Rachel

Since we're still in the holiday season still, from the Jills comes a photo from the 2007 Christmas game. The weather was extremely nasty that morning with rain and high winds so the girls who were to be at the 97Rock tailgate were inside the Fieldhouse with Kelly and Keisha. Shown posing for a photo are Jill R, Keisha, and Kaitlin in their Santa outfits.

Jill R, Keisha, and Kaitlin