In this business you get used to hearing people complain. The fact is we do things every do that tick people off. They’re often upset by the way we cover stories, and sometimes they’re irate because we failed to cover something. And they’re not bashful about letting us know about it.

Which is one of the reasons I could not wait to get to the Springfield Country Club last night. You see, it’s not often I get to sit in a banquet room jammed with more than 500 people, all of whom have nothing but nice things to say about the newspaper.

I don’t have all that much to do with it, but our sports department does.

The occasion was our annual All-Delco Banquet at which we honor the best high school athletes in Delaware County. With a huge boost from the people at the Delco Athletes Hall of Fame, and Exelon, it’s the 22nd consecutive year we’ve been able to gather our All-Delco athletes for a very special evening.

Last night’s affair was remarkable for a couple of reasons. It really is stunning to see the kind of talent this county routinely produces all gathered in one room

I also manage to wangle a seat at the table where our featured speaker is sitting. Maybe you’ve heard of him. Anthony Becht has crafted a nine-year NFL career as a tight end with the Jets and Buccaneers. This year he has signed on with the St. Louis Rams. I reminded him that means he has another Philly date on Sept. 7, when the Eagles and Rams kick off the regular season at Lincoln Financial Field.

But last night Becht wasn’t really at our banquet as an NFL veteran. Or even as a Mountaineer of West Virginia.

Becht was there as the pride of Drexel Hill, and Monsignor Bonner High School. Becht did not regale those gathered with tales from the NFL. Instead, he chose to talk about growing up in Drexel Hill, playing for St. Bernadette’s, and how he struggled to get into the lineup at Bonner. His dream was to be a running back. When that didn’t work out, he tried wide receiver. Eventually, he grew into a tight end.

He joked that unlike many of those in the audience last night, he was not voted All-Delco at his position.

It was part of his message, urging the young people gathered to keep striving to reach their goals, to be prepared for when the window of opportunity presents itself, and to bank on their family for support in both good times and bad.

He warned the kids, many of whom are about to head off to entirely different worlds at college, of the dangers – and challenges -- that lurk out there.

They would do well to emulate Becht, who is back in the area to run his annual summer camp for high school athletes at Bonner.

It’s clear Becht has not forgotten where he came from. Kids today would be well served with him as a role model.

It was an evening for kids, and their parents, and their mentors.

It was also a very special night for one other gentleman. It was our great pleasure to bestow our annual Good Guy Award on Fred Pickett.

I can’t think of anyone who those words better describe than the legendary coach of the Chester High School basketball team.

But saying Fred Pickett was a basketball coach is a little like saying Little Big Horn did not go particularly well for General Custer.

If he were to be judged only by what his teams did on the basketball court, Pickett would still stand alone at the pinnacle of his profession. His Chester High teams have established an unparalleled tradition of excellence.

Pickett’s teams racked up 331 wins and three state titles, including this year’s champs. His Clippers made a habit of playing for the state title, and literally made the District 1 crown their own.

But despite all the success, all the wins, and all those titles, it’s what Pickett did off the court that likely matters most. Pickett molded young lives.

In what could often be a very tough environment, he mentored, cajoled, reminded and probably sometimes scolded his young charges. The result was a tradition of excellence, both on and off the court.

In his usual manner, Pickett last night looked to deflect the spotlight. Then he did something that, frankly, took me by surprise.

Pickett took the time to thank this newspaper for the way we covered his teams. He said we were fair. I can’t think of a better compliment.

It is a goal I have set for our news coverage of the city as well.

Pickett stepped down after winning another state title this year, capping 13 years in the very demanding job of head man when it comes to Chester basketball. It’s a little bit like being the manager of the New York Yankees. Winning isn’t enough. That’s expected. That’s a given. Winning championships is what counts.

Pickett did that, and so much more. Last night we had the chance to thank him for all that’s he’s done. Instead, he took the opportunity thank us.

Coach, it was our pleasure.