Bandette of The Week Stephanie G

This week, we take a look at 3rd year vet Stephanie G as our Bandette of The Week. Dancing on Lauren B's line on gamedays, this is actually going to be Stephanie's final season on the squad as she's moving away for her career this summer with her accounting degree in hand. One of those people who cares a lot about what others think of her, it should make her pretty happy that she'll be missed and her squadmates have already made sure she knows it. This cutie is well-loved by her squadmates for her positivity and genuine caring nature. Always sporting a big smile, I'm sure giving up the squad had to be a tough decision as she loves dancing as much as anything. But with a Master's degree in accounting in hand, she's gotta go where that degree will be a big help with her career. You can read about about Stephanie at http://www.bandits.com/bbio.asp?bandID=StephanieG Stephanie's secondary photo comes from the 1st Annual Dance Fair and Expo held in late March. Shown posing for the camera are Amanda, Noelle, Stephanie G, and Stephanie O.

Amanda, Noelle, Stephanie G, and Stephanie O

Buffalo Jill of The Week Emily

This week, we take a look at now-3rd year vet Emily as our Buffalo Jill of The Week. With tryouts coming up this week, it should be noted that Emily won't be trying out...she's already made the squad and will be the co-captain on Omarlla's line in 2012 after dancing on that line between Jaclyn and Kristina in 2011. For Emily, dance is more than just a passion...she's working towards turning it into her career. She's been involved in ballet for several years and is studying dance as her major in college. In addition to the dance, she's also great with little children. At an appearance back in August, she and Briana spent some time with some little girls who might one day become Jills themselves or at least Jr Jills. Well, Emily has a baby sister she adores and, in the few minutes she spent with these little girls, she treated them just as she would that baby sister with her attentiveness and attitude. You can read more about Emily at http://buffalojills.com/profile.php?PID=12 Emily's secondary photo is from the Jills Comedy Show held in January and was taken just before the fans came in for the show. Shown posing for the camera are Jenny, Emily, and Jami.

Jenny, Emily, and Jami

A couple Jills tidbits

Jami at 2011 1st cuts

First of all, a reminder that tryouts are in full swing and the Jills Open Workshop is being held on Sunday at the Fieldhouse at 1pm. The Workshop typically runs 2-3 hours or so and at it, you'll learn the requirements of being a Buffalo Jill and anyone looking to be a dancer will also be taught a routine to perform on Sunday the 22nd. This workshop is free for anyone looking to tryout but is closed to the public. It's strongly encouraged that anyone wanting to try out make it to this workshop as everything will be covered in-depth. However, if missing the workshop is unavoidable or if you just want extra practice with the captains, there is an optional workshop being held on Thursday, April 19th at the Gold's Gym on French Road in Depew. The fee for this workshop is $20 or $10 for info part only or $10 for dance part only. See all the info on Jills tryouts at http://buffalojills.com/news_story.php?ID=1
Having worked closely with the Jills the last several years, I've seen a lot of young ladies try out for the squad and sadly, a lot of them have given up after missing the cut the 1st time. Let me just say that's a huge mistake. Not everyone makes it the 1st try. There are several girls who have been on the squad the last several years who missed it their first try...the director of the Buffalo Jills, Stephanie Mateczun missed the cut her first 2 attempts. If it's something you want, you should never shortchange yourself and let a disappointment cause you to give up on your dreams.
In 2004, 7 girls got cut in tryouts but came back to make the squad, including recent Ambassador Squad captain Keisha and co-captain Katie K. Current dance co-captain Lisa and former Ambassador Squad co-captain Amanda F were part of a group in 2006 who missed the cut and came back to make it the following year. I know a number of girls who missed the cut in 2007 only to make it in 2008 and Sara even missed the cut in 2009 before making the squad in 2010.

Jill, Emily, and Amanda V at 2011 Draft Party

Also, the NFL Draft is coming up in a few short weeks and the Bills are once again holding a draft party for season ticket holders on Friday, April 27th. There will be interactive games, concession stands open, souvenir photos, locker room and weight room exhibits, and the Buffalo Jills! With tryouts just concluding the night before, the dance captains will be on hand and will be performing and several other vets may be in attendance as well. Also, Rds 2 and 3 will be shown on the TV and projection screens around the Fieldhouse and Chris Brown typically introduces the Bills 1st rd draft pick at the event as well. Contact your season ticket representative to get your free tickets.

The Bandettes at the Bandits-Wings game

The 2012 NLL Season has been anything but positive for the Buffalo Bandits, going into the final quarter of the season with a 4-8 record and weak play all around. Funny thing is, though, that with all the talent the Bandits have assembled, they can totally dominate an opponent when they set their minds to it. Saturday night, needing to win out to finish with a .500 record, the Bandits did set their minds to it and put together their strongest performance of the season, totally controlling the game from start to finish beating the visiting Philadelphia Wings 17-7 on National TV in the NLL's 1st televised game on CBS Sportsnet.

Stephanie C and Lauren K

I started off the gameday with a visit with Kirsten's line, greeting fans just inside the gates at an autograph table signing their posters.

Lauren B, Stephanie G, and Ashley

Upstairs, Lauren B's line was greeting fans and posing for photos as well as signing the posters that the fans brought up from getting signed by Kirsten's line.

on camera for the CBS Sportsnet broadcast

Lauren B's line in action

Amanda and Stephanie O

Stephanie C, Danielle, Alicia, Krista, and Noelle in action at 1st intermission

One of the hottest nurses in Buffalo, Noelle

Amanda and Ashley posing for a photo while Stephanie G sneaks into it

Carissa, Amanda, Noelle, Danielle, Alicia, and Lauren K at the Cobblestone post-game party

See all the pics at http://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/5302



Coming up next, the Bandettes finish up their regular season on April 21st at First Niagara Center when the Buffalo Bandits play host to the Rochester Knighthawks. While it's a longshot, the Bandits still have a shot to host a playoff game depending on how the final 3 weeks of the season play out.

Bandette of The Week Melissa

This week, we take a look at Melissa as our Bandette of The Week. Mel joins some strong veterans and alumni in a special club. Some ladies, when they decide they want to dance in the pro ranks, choose the Bandettes and some choose the Jills. There are a few that, when they miss the cut with one, decide to take a look at the other and, more often than not, realize they enjoy the other one too much to even think about the one they missed the cut on. In working with each squad over the years, I know there are some similarities as well as a lot of differences between the two. It's more than a case of where you fit on a squad, but a case of which squad fits you best at the point you are in your life. Melissa, for one, is loving how things have worked out as close-knit as the Bandettes are. As level-headed and easy-going as she is, she's been a perfect fit with the squad. That's not to say she's not outgoing and fun, though. She and Valerie of the Jills are pretty good friends from their days dancing together and anyone who knows Val knows that it takes a lot to keep up with her. You can read more about Mel at http://www.bandits.com/bbio.asp?bandID=MelissaB Melissa's secondary photo comes from the NLL All-Star Game. Prior to the game, many of the girls posed for photos. Shown in this photo are Jessica, Noelle, Stephanie C, Alicia, Melissa, Chrissy, and Stephanie G.

Jessica, Noelle, Stephanie C, Alicia, Melissa, Chrissy, and Stephanie G