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The first and only one of its kind in the world, the Tucker Center is an interdisciplinary research center leading a pioneering effort to examine how sport and physical activity affect the lives of girls and women, their families, and communities.

News

On Thursday, June 26 Director Mary Jo Kane presented results from the Women's Sport Foundation Media Project titled "The portrayal of female athletes in the media: Does sex really sell?" (Kane & Maxwell, 2008) to AP sports editors who were in Minneapolis for their annual convention. [June 26, 2008]

Associate Director Nicole LaVoi will be in St. Cloud on July 9th to deliver a keynote titled "Developing Physically Active Girls" to the Forum of Executive Women (www.fewstcloud.org). [June 25, 2008]

June 27-29, 2008,  Associate Director Nicole LaVoi will deliver a keynote titled "Facilitating Psychosocial Development of Youth In and Through Sports" at The Soul of Youth Sports conference held at Seattle University. For more information visit
www.seattleu.edu/artsci/css/youthsport/index.asp. [June 19, 2008]

You are invited to attend an exclusive presentation on June 24th, featuring Drs. Diane Wiese-Bjornstal and Nicole LaVoi of the University of Minnesota's Tucker Center and the Minnesota Youth Sport Research Consortium. The presentation "Developing Physically Active Youth" is given in partnership with the Minnesota Lynx and will occur at 5:30pm prior to the Lynx v. NY Liberty game. Guests will enjoy the game following the presentation. Come and hear the latest information on this important topic, as well as watch the currently undefeated Lynx in their best start in franchise history (4-0)! This presentation will be informative for parents, coaches, teachers, administrators and anyone who is interested in and interacts with children and youth. The event is packaged with special pricing, and is open to everyone. Please pass on this announcement, along with the flier, to those who may be interested. Space is limited so call Amber Wirth, Lynx Representative, now at (612) 673-8432 to reserve your ticket. We hope to see you there. [download flier] [June 19, 2008]

Read Dr. Mary Jo Kane's interview with local sports columnist Bob Sansevere in today's St. Paul Pioneer Press on her study on the portrayal of female athletes. In a recent Orlando Sentinel story about female athletes selling sex appeal, Dr. Kane said that "when female athletes are portrayed off the court, instead of portraying them as the classy girl next door they are sexualized in ways that bear an alarming resemblance to soft-core pornography." Sansevere contacted Dr. Kane to find out more. See the interview at this link: http://www.twincities.com/ci_9459441 [June 3, 2008]

Director Mary Jo Kane was quoted in an article titled "Examining the progress and problems of Title IX." "The issue of whether girls should play sports is off the radar screen," said Kane, "It's now moved to 'What sport should that be?'" To read the full article, click here http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/117574 [June 2, 2008]

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