The referee in the XFL championship game is from Mandeville

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Mike VanderVelde is like many other proud fathers across the country who watch their children live out their dreams each weekend in the XFL. He views his son Michael’s games diligently, typing notes into his phone and then sending along his questions, critiques and more when the contest concludes.

But Michael VanderVelde isn’t a player. He’s a standout official.

This Saturday, the 38-year-old VanderVelde will lead his crew onto the field of the Alamodome as the head referee of the 2023 XFL Championship.

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After two seasons in the Southland, he moved on to the Mountain West and now onto the Big 12.

However, he’s not just refereeing Power Five games. He’s officiating some of the biggest games in college football, like the 2023 Rose Bowl and last season’s high-profile opening weekend matchup between LSU and Florida State at the Superdome in New Orleans. The latter was a game his father and XFL Vice President of Officiating and Playing Rules Innovation Dean Blandino both highlighted as a game where VanderVelde performed very well under the bright lights.

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