Associated Press

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The officials sprinted around the field keeping order, throwing flags and even telling the Miles College band to hush once.

It was a typical college football game Thursday night except that four of the seven people wearing the black-and-white stripes were women.

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AP Photo/Dave MartinFrom left, Krystle Apellariz, Sebrina Brunson, Yvonda Lewis and Tangela Mitchell were among the seven-official crew who worked Thursday's game between Lane College and Miles College.

The Southern Intercollege Athletic Conference billed the Miles College game against visiting Lane College as the first majority-female officiating crew for an NCAA game.

The event -- Miles won 38-26 -- was significant enough that the NFL's director of officiating David Coleman, director of recruiting Ron Baynes and regional scout Bob Shoulders attended the game.

They wanted to see head linesman Yvonda Lewis, line judge Tangela Mitchell, field judge Sebrina Brunson and back judge Krystle Apellaniz in action, as well as the men.

"They paid their dues," said Harold Mitchell, director of officiating for the SIAC and SWAC. "They've done what's necessary to get in this position. They've earned it. And I'm hoping it will show the world that females can officiate just as well as men, and I'm hoping that more females will take the step to try to become football officials."

Hair tucked neatly into their caps and looking petite among the players, they mostly drew little attention once the game started -- a plus for officials.

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