Over a four-day period in late June, ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale will be presented with two prestigious awards -- one for his work to promote sportsmanship and another for his contributions to America's youth. Vitale, who joined ESPN shortly after the network's 1979 launch, will receive the first-ever Ethics and Sportsmanship in Sports Media Award as well as the National Pathfinder Award.

"I cannot believe that I will be the recipient of these two great honors," Vitale said. "To share the stage with such distinguished names as Rudy Giuliani and Cedric Dempsey and to have my name listed with John Wooden, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and other legendary individuals is truly flattering."

Past winners of Pathfinder Awards include John Wooden, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Larry Bird, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Bill Russell.

Vitale is slated to receive the Ethics and Sportsmanship in Sports Media Award on June 26. Given for the first time by the Institute for International Sport as part of its National Sportsmanship Day programming, the award is designed to recognize an individual who promotes fair play and sportsmanship. Vitale will be formally honored at the United States Scholar-Athlete Games in Rhode Island during the Games Family Night Celebration, an evening featuring former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani as the keynote speaker.

The Pathfinder Awards will honor Vitale on June 29. Co-presented by the Indiana Sports Corporation and Indiana Black Expo, the annual Pathfinder Awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of America's youth. The awards event, held in Indianapolis' Conseco Fieldhouse, will honor Vitale as the National Pathfinder winner, while former NCAA President Cedric Dempsey will receive the Indiana Pathfinder Award.

As part of the presentation, Vitale and Dempsey will each receive $25,000 checks for charities of their choice. Vitale plans to split the money between The V Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota (Fla.). Past winners of Pathfinder Awards include John Wooden, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Larry Bird, Dave Thomas, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Arnold Palmer and Bill Russell.

"These awards are extra special to me," Vitae said, "as they both help causes close to my heart -- whether it be kids through sportsmanship promotion and the Boys and Girls Club or through fund-raising and awareness for the V Foundation."

Vitale, who has been recognized with numerous honors, has called approximately 1,000 college basketball telecasts, bringing a thorough knowledge of the game in an enthusiastic and passionate style. He's involved with numerous charities, including The V Foundation For Cancer Research and the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota.