Xavier University hasn't earned its national basketball championship just yet, but the school's Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) has nailed down an award that is just as prestigious.

The ROTC battalion won the 2000-2001 Gen. Douglas MacArthur Award for the best overall large-school unit in the region.

Lt. Col. Timothy R. Gobin, professor of military science at Xavier, said the announcement was late because of some changes.

"It would have been nice to know this last year, but better late than never," he said. In the ROTC world, he said, it's like winning an NCAA championship.

The school was also recognized as the best large-school battalion under the ROTC Cadet Command, which covers 270 schools nationwide.

The award was presented at the Second ROTC Region Commanders Conference in Nashville this month. Col. Gobin said the award is presented to the battalion that is best in meeting its commission mission and best overall quality in training, grade-point averages and leadership.

The Xavier battalion won best in region in the small-school category in 1991, best in region in the medium-school category in 1994 and '95 and best in Cadet Command and region in the medium-school category in 1996. Xavier moved to the large-school category in 2000.

Xavier also received the Most Valuable Program award for the region for commissioning 20 second lieutenants during the 2001-2002 school year.

All 16 of Widmer's retail and carpet cleaning locations and the Goodwill Industries have a plan for you to clean out your clothes closet, help Goodwill and get a tax deduction.

They have kicked off the Big Drop clothing drive, urging customers to donate clothing to Goodwill.

Donors will get a donation receipt to be used as a tax deduction. Children who donate will receive a Certificate of Giving.

The drive runs through the end of the year.

For more information, call 321-5100 or visit a Widmer's store.

Students at McAuley High School, 600 Oakwood Ave.,College Hill, will buy gifts for 29 families and 10 seniors for Christmas through the Emanuel Center, 1308 Race St., Over-the-Rhine.

Presentations will be made from 3:30-5 p.m. Friday at the center.

The students operate through the school's emergency relief fund. Gina Keith, who operates the fund, said they collect money weekly and donate to a different worthy cause each week.

Students working in the relief fund also took 26 complete Thanksgiving dinners to the Contact Center, 1641 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine.

Rose Inderhees, volunteer coordinator for Emanuel Center, recently explained to students the work the center does in the neighborhood for needy families.

Allen Howard's "Some Good News" column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.