One of the cool things about living in the Twin Cities as a fan of women's sports is the opportunity to attend the Distinguished Lecture Series at the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota.

The Tucker Center is the first and only of its kind. It was founded and is still led by Dr. Mary Jo Kane. Dr. Kane and her staff currently are working on projects on media representations, youth sport, physical activity and recreation and their impact on girls, and Title IX.

Last night kicked off the 10th Anniversary of the lecture series and once again, it was an entertaining and educational evening. The keynote speaker was USA Today columnist Christine Brennan. She covered several topics including media coverage of women's sports, the impact of Title IX and some of her experiences as a female sports journalist.

Brennan grew up in Toledo, Ohio in the 1960s and 1970s and loved sports. She did not have an opportunity to play on an organized team until her freshman year of high school. But that did not stop her from playing baseball and rooting for the Toledo Mudhens and Michigan Wolverines.

Her parents and especially her dad were very supportive of her love of sports. Brennan shares many wonderful memories from her childhood and her career as a journalist in her book, Best Seat in the House. The book was inspired by a column she wrote for her dad's 75th birthday in 2001.

Those of you in the Twin Cities can hear Brennan again tonight for an event with Dads & Daughters.