Sarah Leberman, Massey University, New Zealand, and Dr. Nicole LaVoi, lecturer in Kinesiology and associate director of the Tucker Center, have an article in press in the Journal of Sport Management titled, "Juggling Balls and Roles, Working Mother-Coaches in Youth Sport: Beyond the Dualistic Worker-Mother Identity."

The Tucker Center is pleased to welcome and partner with USA Rugby to offer a national level coach education workshop at the University of Minnesota on March 5-6, 2011. The sport of rugby is played in over 120 countries by over 10 million athletes, is currently classified as an NCAA emerging sport for women, and was recently inducted as an Olympic sport. The purpose of this course is to educate coaches and highlight female members of the USA Rugby coach education staff. The Tucker Center is pleased to play a role in this event as it actively encourages females to consider serving as educators to help others improve their coaching practice. Further information regarding USA Rugby's coach development program is available at www.usarugby.org. For further details contact Katie Wurst.

The Tucker Center's Associate Director Nicole LaVoi and Research Assistant Alyssa Norris have released a cutting-edge report on parent perception of how much youth sport interferes with family time. Youth sports can provide a positive, meaningful context for youth development and family engagement. However, little is known about parents' perceptions of how youth sport interferes with family functioning. The data in this report aims to fill that gap. To read the report click here.

Nicole LaVoi, Tucker Center associate director and lecturer in the School of Kinesiology, is participating on a panel on hazing, "The Pros and Cons of Hazing," as part of the U of M's Hazing Prevention Week. The panel takes place today in the Coffman Memorial Union's President's Room, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Nicole LaVoi, Tucker Center associate director and lecturer in the School of Kinesiology, was interviewed live on Fox 9 News by Jeff Passolt regarding a recent hazing incident that led to suspension of students on the Elk River high school football team. LaVoi emphasized the importance of having strong policies regarding hazing and of imposing consequences for such behavior.

Nicole LaVoi, Tucker Center Associate Director and Lecturer in the School of Kinesiology, is quoted in a Salt Lake Times article ("What happened to Utah's beloved 'Sandlot'?" by Bill Oram) regarding the rise of organized youth sport and the lack of free play for kids.

Dr. Mary Jo Kane, professor and director of the School of Kinesiology, has been named to the Advisory Panel of espnW, a new source of sports information for girls and women that will officially debut next spring. espnW marks an expansion of the ESPN brand that will appeal to girls in high school sports and to female athletes who want to continue their sports involvement after college.

The Advisory Panel is made up of 29 of the most prominent women and men in sports around the country. The panel will hold a two-day retreat in September to explore ideas for the new female sports agenda.

Nicole LaVoi, Tucker Center associate director and lecturer in the School of Kinesiology discusses research on coaching boys versus coaching girls in a recent Post Crescent News article.

The Minnesota Timberwolves/Lynx are sponsoring an educational and inspiring afternoon on women in the sports industry. This event includes a panel of influential women in sports business, open discussions & career advice with the panel, resumes accepted for open internship and full-time job opportunities, behind the scenes tours of the Target Center, and premium sideline tickets to the Lynx Home Opener on May 16th at 6:00pm. The panel features Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve, Lynx Star Candice Wiggins, Dr. Nicole LaVoi from the University of Minnesota's School of Kinesiology and the Tucker Center, and top female executives from each of the major Professional sports franchises. It's all happening at the Target Center from 4:00pm-6:00pm on Wednesday, April 28, 2010. For more information, click the thumbnail at right to download a flier or contact Carley Knox at 612.673-8408 or knox@lynxbasketball.com.

As Laura Gentile and fellow ESPN executives batted around ideas for pockets of expansion inside the sprawling company, there appeared to be an opportunity to target female athletes more extensively. High school sports would be an important part... "Nobody's done this right yet, and they have a real opportunity," said Nicole LaVoi, Tucker Center Associate Director and Lecturer in the School of Kinesiology. Female sports receiving focus on the revamped ESPNRise.com include basketball, softball, soccer and lacrosse. Read more at Media Post News ...