POWERGRAMS

14 official, Marlowe said, was just before the start of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day. A few minutes before kickoff, he walked onto the field and had a chance to exchange a few words with his wife, Amy, and teenaged son and daughter, Tommy and Grier, who were supporting him from the sidelines. "There are a lot of sacrifices we make – running three times a week, taking quizzes, watching videos, studying the rule books and traveling. But my family pays the price, too," Marlowe said. "For me to be successful, I have to have a strong family behind me. And so for me to spend that moment with my family was a highlight." Marlowe also credits his "work family" for their support. He said it's thanks to their knowledge and experience that he can confidently leave the office in their hands while he travels to games on Friday afternoons. "I'm lucky because I've got the best people in this office," said Marlowe, who has managed the Oak Grove Office for four of his nine years at Alabama Power. "When I walk out, I don't have to worry because they can handle whatever comes our way. That makes the transition to Saturday easier. If you're not prepared mentally and if something is weighing on your mind, your focus is not going to be what it needs to be at kickoff." Marlowe believes that support goes both ways. While his employees lend a hand when he needs to travel to a game, it's not unusual to find Marlowe taking customer payments on busy days or when the office is short-handed. Along with officiating during the season, Marlowe has worked as the referee at the Dr Pepper Challenge at the SEC Championship for the past six years. During this annual halftime competition, two college students face off to throw the most footballs through a small hole in a giant Dr Pepper can. The winner receives a college scholarship. Although being center field at the biggest game in the SEC is exciting, Marlowe said, the pressure is intense. "You want to be sure you are fair to the contestants and that you make the right call," Marlowe said. "Because Dr Pepper is investing a significant amount of money into the event, you also want to make sure the competition goes smoothly from a cosmetic standpoint. There's no redo on TV. You can't afford a hiccup." Marlowe said the past 26 years on the football field have been a "dream come true." "I really appreciate the opportunities I have gotten, and I wouldn't trade those experiences," Marlowe said. "But you can't get there unless you've got the right people supporting you. I'm fortunate because I have family and colleagues who allow me to do the best job I can do on Saturdays." Marlowe with his son, Tommy, and daughter, Grier, before bowl game between Ohio State and Notre Dame on Jan. 1.

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