I had to call my father just to tell him with whom I was sharing a cocktail reception. Sports legends were everywhere -- from baseball's Brooks Robinson and Robin Roberts to basketball greats Oscar Robertson and Bob Pettit. There was no shortage of icons at the 31st annual All-Sports Hall of Fame Dinner, presented by the Boys Club of New York.

 When I first checked in, I saw one of my earliest broadcasting mentors. Back with CBS, hosting "The NFL Today", James Brown was in attendance because he was being inducted into the All-Sports Hall of Fame. I grabbed JB's arm to say hello. We hadn't seen each other in almost ten years. James shook my hand and leaned over to greet me, not knowing who I was. After I whispered my name into his ear, his response was mammoth. "OH MY GOSH!  Jared, I can't believe it!".

Anybody who's met James or has been a colleague of his knows there is not a harder working broadcaster. There may not be a more terrific person, either. JB exudes class. He is a winner on so many levels. In a room filled with some of our greatest sports legends, it was JB who drew the most interest from the young members of the Boys' Club. I wasn't surprised; the same interest they showed in talking with JB I felt almost almost twenty years ago when we met at Bill Raftery's Broadcasting Camp.

James was a mentor to me throughout my final years in high school and then in college. He wrote a letter of recommendation that helped me get into Hofstra. But, over the years I was bad about keeping in touch. Seeing James last night was a special moment, as was hearing him say, "I'm so proud of you," -- after I told him about working for WCBS and becoming Sports Director.

Before i left the affair, I witnessed JB sitting on the stage in the grand ballroom, surrounded by about twenty-five youths. I couldn't hear what was being said, but I know it had to be inspiring. It always is with JB.

In addition to speaking with my broadcasting mentor, I got to chat with former New York Jets receivers Don Maynard and Wesley Walker. I snapped photos of former baseball stars Steve Garvey, Rusty Staub, Robin Roberts, Brooks Robinson and Jim Bouton. I looked into the eyes of one of my early football heroes, former Vikings running back Chuck Foreman. Unfortunately, I didn't realize it was Foreman until after he'd left. He looked so small compared to the imposing figure I remember from that purple uniform.

I met David Thompson, telling the former Denver Nuggets superstar how he was one of my brother's favorite players, growing up a Nuggets fan. I used to see Thompson play in Piscataway when the Nuggets visited the Nets. I took his photo and emailed it to my brother, Aron, asking "Can you figure out who this is". He wrote back: "David Thompson?"

Walt Bellamy was there last night. So was former Celtics star Bailey Howell. Allie Sherman, who coached the Giants from 1961 to 1968 also attended.

After Don Maynard told me about how disgusted he is by the lack of class shown by so many of today's athletes, I pointed out that there were many role models in this particular room. He agreed, thanking me for pointing this out.

To hear my entire interview with Maynard and also Wesley Walker, click the appropriate play buttons to the right -- or download the files to your MP3 player

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The Boys' Club of New York's All Sports Hall of Fame Dinner was first held in 1976 and has grown into the premier Sports Dinner in the country. Each year, The Boys’ Club of New York honors the achievements and community
contributions of the best in sport with the induction into its All Sports Hall of Fame of recent inductees into the Baseball, Basketball, Pro Football, Golf, Hockey, Olympics and Tennis Halls of Fame as well as candidates from the world of athletes, educators, administrators, broadcasters, journalists, and sports executives. Candidates are individuals
who have recognized the importance of sports in contemporary American society and its influence on children as a vehicle to promote and develop character, community and civility.

About the Boys’ Club of New York

Rooted in a more than 130 year tradition of community service, outreach and philanthropy, The Boys' Club of New York serves some of the city’s most socially and economically troubled neighborhoods.  The BCNY provides a series of targeted, cutting-edge educational programs that give members opportunities to reach their full potential.  Its signature programs include: Independent Boarding School Placement Program, Academic All Stars/International Travel Program, R.E.A.D. Program, SAT Prep, School/Camp Program, and Parents Associations.  For more information, visit: http://www.bcny.org/.