Big 12 assigns first female football official

DALLAS (AP) - The Big 12 Conference has assigned a female official to work one of its games for the first time in league history.

Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said Monday that Catherine "Cat" Conti will be on the crew for Kansas' season opener at home Sept. 6 against Southeast Missouri State.

While calling this a good opportunity for Conti and the league, Bowlsby said Big 12 officiating supervisor Walt Anderson assigned Conti "because she is just a darned good official."

Bowlsby said Conti, a Southland Conference official, has paid her dues.

Kansas coach Charlie Weis jokingly said he'll try not to use as many curse words during the game.

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