Jillian Ford, Class of 2014

One of Jillian Ford’s fondest memories was also her first experience being a Bulldog; going to Glen Meadows Park on summer mornings to basketball practice with modified basketball coach, Mark Dziob (Coach Mark). This was just the start for Jill at Hamburg, as she went on to become a standout three-sport athlete in Lacrosse, Field Hockey and Basketball.

While she excelled in all three sports, Jill finished her high school career as one of the most decorated lacrosse players in Hamburg history. Jill was a midfielder, who was part of the program that won three consecutive Section VI Championships from (2012 -2014).  She was named a First-Team US Lacrosse All-American, two-time First-Team ALL WNY and First-Team All-Metro Lacrosse player (2013, 2014), three-time First Team Division All-Star and represented the WNY/Rochester region on the top team for the #1 recruiting showcase in the US for women’s lacrosse in 2012 and 2013. Jillian finished her career amassing 200 career points (165 goals and 35 assists) as a four-year letter winner for the Hamburg girl’s lacrosse program.  As a member of the girls’ basketball program, Jill was a two-time All-ECIC selection and also, part of the Section VI runner-up team that lost a heartbreaker to Grand Island in 2013. As in Lacrosse, Jill played midfield for the Field Hockey team, which demands a player to be part of the offensive and be able to react and race to defend the goal. Jill was a major contributor to the Section VI championship field hockey team in 2011.

Like many multi-sport athletes, one of the most difficult decisions is deciding what sport to continue to play in college. Despite the love of basketball, Jill took her talents to Niagara University receiving a Division I scholarship for the women’s lacrosse program.  While majoring in criminal justice in the classroom, Jill also majored in a successful lacrosse campaign from 2015-2108. She was a four-year starter, named to the 2015 MAAC All-Rookie appearing in all 18 games making 17 starts and earned second team All-MAAC as a Junior in 2017. Jill etched her way into the Niagara University women’s lacrosse record books for Top Ten All-time in career draw controls (76) and caused turnovers (55).

Upon graduating with a criminal justice degree and two minors in forensic science and computer crime, Jill pursued a career in Law enforcement in Virginia. After 4 years in Virginia, made her way back to Buffalo to be closer to family and friends. Jill and her fiancé, Samantha Vermeulen currently reside in Fairport, NY with their two dogs.