Olympian honored in Blackville today. Silver medallist Kathy McCormack will be the star of parade in her honor

There’s one constant in Kathy McCormack’s life right now: she’s always on the go.

“I’ve definitely racked up the frequent flyer points,” said the member of the Canada’s silver medal winning Olympic women’s hockey team.

McCormack returned home to Blackville Tuesday but was back on the road to Fredericton the next day to deal with some personal matters.

Today, she’ back home for a parade in her honor. In fact, the entire day has been dubbed Kathy McCormack Day.

Tuesday, McCormack, 24, returns to Calgary with the N.B. Maritime Blades to take part in the national women’s hockey championships.

During an interview, she said her instant celebrity status, both in Blackville and throughout Canada, has required some adjustment.

“Actually, it’s quite bizarre,” she said of her new-found fame.

She loves it, though. Everyone wants to say hello, talk to her and spend a bit of time with her.

Kathy also pointed out that her whole family has achieved the same instant fame that she has. But Kathy’s mother, Amber McCormack, said the spotlight doesn’t faze her.

“We kind of got used to it,” she said. “It doesn’t bother me.”

The added attention has, however, cut down on the family’s quiet time.

“A movie would be good without a phone call in between,” Amber laughed.

Kathy, the second of four children, said her only really concern is that all this added attention doesn’t divert the spotlight from her sister Nancy, who is to be married in a couple of months.

This fall, McCormack plans to finish up her second and final year in the education program at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, where she also obtained a physical education degree.

Before the Olympic experience, McCormack pictured herself teaching kids.

Now, that’s changed.

“I’d really like to get into a university where I could coach a women’s team,” she said. She also doesn’t rule out playing sports professionally.

“Who is to say a professional (women’s) league wouldn’t get going?” she speculated.

As for the Olympic experience itself, McCormack said it wasn’t all a celebration. The moment when the team knew the gold was out of reach, for example, was a sad one.

“I don’t think there was any celebration at all. It was all disappointment,” she said, noting that hindsight has brought happiness and an appreciation of the accomplishment.

“Your Olympic memories don’t just fall into that two-week period,” she said of the stay in Nagano. Her Olympic experience also included thesix months of hard work prior to the games.

“In order to get on the team, you have to risk so much.” “The effort these women make,” Amber added, “….. no one realizes.”

The Kathy McCormack Day parade begins today at 1:30 p.m. in central Blackville.