By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics
 
On a chilly day in 1989, Bobby Dwyer and Linda Montgomery were having lunch. A consensus was reached that there was little to do in Williamsburg during the winter months.
 
And so, the Lord Botetourt Affair was born. Pairing black ties with sneakers, it would become the social event of the year and a major fundraiser for William & Mary athletics.
 
Although times are different these days, the show must go on. The 32nd-annual affair, featuring a live and silent auction, will be held virtually on March 12.
 
"Initially, the priority was to have a fun event and if we made a few dollars, fine," said Dwyer, who retired as senior associate athletics director in 2019. "It was a huge hit socially, but it was a very modest financial success the first year or two.
 
"Then it just evolved. It was unbelievable."
 
Originally drawing maybe 150 people in Swem Library's Botetourt Gallery, the event eventually moved to a more spacious setting at Kingsmill Resort. Since 2014, it has raised an average of more than $250,000 annually.
 
"Over the years, it's become the biggest fundraiser for the Tribe Club," said Barb Ramsey '75, a member of the executive committee. "One reason for the success of the event is the strong ties the committee members have with the alumni and the greater Williamsburg community.
 
"That has made it truly represent One Tribe, One Family. It is not only beneficial to the students and university but also to the community at large."
 
With safety restrictions still in place because of the pandemic, this year's event will be different from any of the 31 before it. But given the economic crisis all athletic departments are facing, it will be every bit as important — perhaps more so.
 
"The 2020-21 season has been so expensive," said committee member and former lacrosse player Lindsey Jenks '17. "Without the opportunity to have much revenue and having expenses on top of the deficit William & Mary has already seen, it's super critical to have fundraising opportunities this year.
 
"The easier thing might have been to wait until we can get back in person. But it's very critical this year to have it — to continue to the tradition, but also because there is such a great need within the athletic department now."
 
The Lord Botetourt Affair's logo is a butler holding a tray. This year, he is wearing a mask and the tray contains a laptop.
 
"We're hoping this is truly one of a kind and becomes a collector's item," said Ramsey, who previously served as co-chair with Nancy Mathews '76. "We hope to never have a totally virtual event again."
 
Jay Colley, W&M's football and men's basketball announcer, will be the event's master of ceremonies. Dwyer will serve as auctioneer.
 
Among some of the higher-bid items to be auctioned: dinner for eight with President Katherine A. Rowe and First Gentleman Bruce Jacobson, Don Beck's New England Lobster Clambake for 12 at his home in The Vineyards, a weekend stay at the President's Cottage, and playing at Winged Foot Golf Club in New York.
 
Normally, the attire is black tie. One year, when the event was held on the basketball floor at Kaplan Arena, sneakers were required. That stuck even after it moved to Kingsmill.
 
This year's virtual event will allow for more of a come-as-you-are feel, but a tux with gym shorts would also work.
 
"Most times when Jay and I do something together, we end up having a considerable amount of fun with it," Dwyer said. "I think you can have that fun experience without all being in the same room."
 
This year's Noble Cause Challenge is to help defray the cost of administering COVID-19 tests to the student athletes.
 
"With all of the competition going into full swing, there will be more and more testing," Ramsey said. "So that money will go to the sports medicine department to help with those tests."
 
Although a laptop isn't ideal, it's the new norm. And it's how this year's (and hopefully, only this year's) Lord Botetourt Affair will go.
 
"We all felt it was important to keep it going," Dwyer said. "It's fun, and it raises a considerable amount of money for the athletic program."
 
Registration for the Lord Botetourt Affair will go live on March 2 at TribeAuction.com. There is a $25 registration fee, which will include access to the event and a party pack that will be delivered.