Canady, stricken with breast cancer, finds therapy as first female Division I referee.

Publication: The State (Columbia, S.C.) (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service)

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COPYRIGHT 2002 The State

Byline: Nat Newell

COLUMBIA, S.C. _ She shouldn't be here.

Annice Canady became the first female official to work an NCAA Division I football game when Delaware State and Morris Brown opened the season Aug. 31 in Atlanta.

During her decade-long recreation and high school officiating career she heard the foulest curses, had officials refuse to work with her and encountered a succession of people who didn't believe she belonged on a football field.

This has nothing to do with gender. Canady shouldn't be here because cancer could have killed her three times.

"When I was out there on the field I started thinking about it and I thanked the Lord for being here," said Canady, 45, who will be a line judge for Saturday's Benedict-South Carolina State game at Williams-Brice Stadium....

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