This is the weekend between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl.

That has special meaning to me. It means there is not going to be anything decent on television. I’m not quite into basketball just yet, even though I do follow the Thunder some. And after about four episodes of M.A.S.H., my favorite show of all time, I’m ready to shut the TV off and go to the coffee shop.

But it did make me think about all of the things that are going on in Altus.

I do hope many of you will go to the Western Oklahoma State College gymnasium on Monday night. In between the women’s and men’s basketball games (about 7:30) with Carl Albert, the Western baseball team will be honored.

Players from last year’s national championship team will be presented their national championship rings during a ceremony at mid court.

It was last June that the Pioneers defeated Jones, County, Misssissippi in the finals of the NJCAA Division II World Series to win the first national championship in the history of the school.

So come on out and be a part of the ring ceremony and come early enough to watch some college basketball.

Speaking of the Pioneers, the 2012 edition of the team are ranked number one in a preseason poll by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and the NJCAA.

Western opens its season on Feb. 17 against Coffeyville, Kansas.

A former Western baseball player was honored last night at Oklahoma ASA Hall of Fame Banquet. Mike Pate was inducted into the state softball hall of fame in those ceremonies.

I’ve known Mike for many years dating back to our little league days. He’s certainly very deserving of the induction to the hall of fame. He has done so much for softball in the area.

Mike also played on the first ever Western baseball team.

Still on the subject of Western, there is one other program that has quietly risen to new heights.

It was last year the Western softball team had its best season ever. Coach Michael McBrayer’s Lady Pioneers set 23 school records including team wins (47), batting average (.362) and home runs (94).

Western was ranked as high as number nine in the country.

The Lady Pioneers will open their season on Feb. 4 when they travel to Clarendon, Texas Junior College. The hometown fans will get their first chance to see Western play when the Lady Pioneers host Clarendon on Feb. 7.

When fans arrive at the ball park they will notice something different. A new press box/concession stand is nearing completion.

Across town at Altus High School there are many things fans can look forward to.