The Generals Redoubt

Kamron M. Spivey

The Generals Redoubt brings together voices from the Washington and Lee University community to explore our history, defend timeless traditions, and promote honor, integrity, and classical liberal education. From the Honor System and Robert E. Lee’s influence on campus life to athletics and the American founding, our programs examine the people and principles that shape W&L’s enduring legacy—recorded at historic Fancy Hill.

Episodes

  1. Football Captain Will Knight: Why W&L Changed Everything | Generals on the March Ep.101

    FEB 20

    Football Captain Will Knight: Why W&L Changed Everything | Generals on the March Ep.101

    In the premiere episode of Generals on the March, host Thomas Wakefield sits down with Will Knight, a standout football captain and track athlete who embodies the Washington and Lee experience. From Durango, Colorado to Lexington, Virginia, Will shares his journey of competing at the highest level while pursuing academic excellence and building lifelong connections. In This Episode: • Why Will chose W&L over other schools and what surprised him most • Balancing two varsity sports with a rigorous liberal arts education • The unique culture of Division III athletics at Washington and Lee • Memorable moments from the Trinity game in San Antonio • Navigating the path from economics major to investment banking • The impact of the Honor System and small class sizes • Advice for making the most of the W&L experience Will Knight is a First Team All-ODAC selection (2025), football team captain, and former track athlete who competed in shot put and discus. He's now heading to Evercore's investment banking division, hired by W&L football alumni who opened doors through the university's powerful network. Generals on the March is a storytelling podcast that brings the athletic legacy of Washington and Lee University to life. Through in-depth conversations with past and present athletes and coaches, the series explores what it truly means to compete at W&L: on the field, in the classroom, and beyond. Blending personal stories with institutional history, the podcast highlights the values that define the Generals while uncovering the often underreported moments, teams, and traditions that have shaped W&L athletics over generations.

    29 min
  2. First in War, Forgotten by His Countrymen: Light Horse Harry Lee | Founding Philosophies Ep. 1

    FEB 11

    First in War, Forgotten by His Countrymen: Light Horse Harry Lee | Founding Philosophies Ep. 1

    First in War, Forgotten by His Countrymen: Lessons on Light Horse Harry Lee; Founding Philosophies Ep. 101 Discover the remarkable and tragic life of Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III—Revolutionary War hero, Virginia governor, and father of Robert E. Lee. In this episode of Founding Philosophies, host Kamron Spivey sits down with author Ryan Cole to explore why this brilliant military tactician and eloquent statesman has been largely forgotten by history. In this episode: • Light Horse Harry Lee's daring military exploits during the Revolutionary War • His pivotal role in Virginia's ratification of the Constitution • The famous eulogy: "First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen" • Lee's passionate advocacy for monuments to preserve the memory of the founding generation • The tragic downfall: bankruptcy, debtor's prison, assault, and exile in the West Indies • Wisdom from exile: the letters of advice Lee wrote to his children, including young Robert E. Lee • Why flawed heroes still matter and what we can learn from their aspirations About the Guest: Ryan Cole is the author of biographies on Light Horse Harry Lee and the Marquis de Lafayette's return to America. His work brings to life the complex, often contradictory figures who shaped our nation. Recorded at Fancy Hill in the George Washington Parlor—a fitting setting for this conversation about Revolutionary War heroes and the enduring lessons they offer. #FoundingFathers #AmericanHistory #LightHorseHarryLee #RevolutionaryWar #RobertELee #GeorgeWashington #History #Podcast #250thAnniversary

    1 hr

About

The Generals Redoubt brings together voices from the Washington and Lee University community to explore our history, defend timeless traditions, and promote honor, integrity, and classical liberal education. From the Honor System and Robert E. Lee’s influence on campus life to athletics and the American founding, our programs examine the people and principles that shape W&L’s enduring legacy—recorded at historic Fancy Hill.