Aug. 16, 2011

EASTON, Pa. - Ian Dickson has signed a professional contract with the Chicago Cubs, who selected him in the 35th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft in June. Dickson, who will forgo his remaining eligibility at Lafayette, will report to the rookie-level Arizona League.

A 6-5 right-hander from Northport, N.Y., Dickson was sidelined for the entire 2011 season due to injury. He compiled a 1-4 record with three saves and a 7.00 earned run average in two active seasons on College Hill. Dickson racked up 40 career strikeouts in 45 innings of work.

Dickson was the first Leopard to be drafted since Jeff Antolick '93, who was the New York Yankees' 15th-round selection in 1992. The right-handed pitcher advanced to the Class AA level, playing for the Norwich Navigators in the 1995 season.

The last Lafayette student-athlete to play in an MLB-affiliated league was Ted Gjeldum '07. Gjeldum signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Royals in 2007 and played one season of advanced rookie ball in the Appalachian League.

Former Leopards Kevin Reese '08, Chris Luick '09 and A.J. Miller '11 are currently playing professionally in independent leagues.