He might be listed as the smallest player on the Cornell roster, but Louis Dale, a 5-11 starting point guard, has been one of the biggest reasons for the team’s rise to the top during his first three years at Cornell.

The 2007-08 Ivy League Player of the Year is one of the most dynamic players in the Ancient Eight. In 2008-09, Dale finished among the league leaders in several categories, tallying 13 points per game, 3.6 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game and a .463 field-goal percentage. Despite his diminutive stature, Dale can also play a big man’s game, ranking in the top-15 rebounders in the league with 4.2 boards per game. Last season, Dale became just the second player in school history to record 1,000 points, 300 rebounds and 300 assists.

These accomplishments have not gone unnoticed by his peers as Dale as been selected to the All-Ivy first-team squad the past two campaigns. These accolades came upon the heels of being selected as an honorable mention All-Ivy selection after his freshman year.

The Alabama native was hampered by a sore hamstring at the outset of last season and sat out eight games, but provided an instant spark upon his return to the hardwood. Aside from that eight-game span last year, Dale has started every game but one since stepping on the court at Newman Arena as a freshman in 2006-07.

“I’m in better shape now than I was last year because I didn’t miss preseason training,” Dale said. “I think it helps a lot just because I get to mesh and gel with my teammates before the season gets started.”

Dale’s court vision and innate basketball instincts as the Red’s floor general, in unison with his unselfish nature in setting up teammates and quick hands on defense, will be a lethal combination for opponents.

The former Alabama state triple jump champion has already circled Nov. 14 on his calendar as the Red travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide.

“It’s a great chance for my family to get to see me play,” Dale said. “My grandparents have never seen me play. That’ll be good for them to go to a game. It’s only a short 40-minute drive from my house. It’ll be great to see friends and family. I have a lot of high school friends, who go to Alabama, so it will be a great chance for them to see me play, too.”