Kayla Blackmore (Fredericton, NB) spent five years playing with the women’s hockey team at St. Thomas University, from 2008-2013, and she certainly left her mark on the program.
Blackmore has quite an impressive resume for her accomplishments both on and off the ice during her time with the Tommies. A five-time Academic All-Canadian, a four-time team Most Valuable Player, two-time winner of the Atlantic University Sport’s Student Athlete Community Service Award, member of the ’08-09 AUS All-Rookie Team, ’11-12 AUS 2nd Team All-Star, ’12-13 AUS 1st Team All-Star and the winner of the Marion Hilliard Award (given to a U Sport women’s hockey player for her accomplishments on the ice, in the classroom, and the community) in her final season.
Having graduated from St. Thomas twice, once with a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Psychology and History, and then again with a Bachelor of Education, Blackmore is now the Director of Athletics at Rothesay Netherwood School in Rothesay, NB. She teaches Physical Education and Health and Leadership, as well as being the Head Coach of the Prep Girls Hockey program at the school.
Outside of her responsibilities at RNS, Blackmore is a member of various New Brunswick organizations including: Head Coach of Team New Brunswick women’s hockey for the Canada Winter Games, and is on the Board of Directors for Coach NB.
With all of this on her plate, she doesn’t get on the ice to play hockey that much anymore, but that doesn’t have Blackmore down.
“Unfortunately, I do not have much time to continue playing hockey,” said Blackmore. “But I love the opportunities I have to coach and work with young, motivated student-athletes and help them work towards their dream of one day playing university hockey.”
While at STU Blackmore volunteered with minor hockey teams in the Fredericton area, was a member of STU’ Student Athlete Council and worked part time at the JB O’Keefe Fitness Centre.
“My fondest memories at STU all involve my teammates and coaches,” said Blackmore. “I can remember many study sessions, both early and late, in James Dunn Hall, as well as the annual team building trips organized by Coach Murphy. STU was home for me and my teammates and coaches were family, that’s what I miss most.”
“As Coach Murphy always said, ‘Once a Tommie, always a Tommie!’”