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If you can’t beat ‘em, quit

The losingest team in college basketball history is no more. Rutgers-Camden’s provost eliminated the men’s team this week after 108 straight defeats. The Division III Pioneers, 0-24 this season, last won on Jan. 18, 1992 - 74-73 over Ramapo College.

“Losing 108 games - I can tell you that is demoralizing,” Provost Walter K. Gordon said. “You’ve got to be in a situation where you have the hope of winning.”

Gordon made the decision over the objections of athletic director Wilbur “Pony” Wilson, who took over as coach this season but stepped down in January, citing health problems. He lost 50 pounds and his wife worried when he would yell out the names of his players in his sleep.

“I think four years is a reasonable amount of time to try to win a game,” Gordon said. “There are times in life situations when you should give up.”

He’s gotta have it

The Hoya Paranoiac, John Thompson, gave film director Spike Lee unprecedented access for a piece Lee did on Georgetown’s program for HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” series.

Lee filmed the Hoyas in the locker room before and after an early-season game, and Thompson wore a microphone during the contest. Even Mary Fenlon, Thompson’s tightlipped administrative assistant, spoke on camera and addressed the Georgetown’s closed-door policy with the media.

“We don’t think it’s us against the world,” Fenlon told Lee. “But John has a saying - ‘It’s not paranoia if they’re really after you.”’ Among Thompson’s contentions was that college players should not be paid.

“There are so many kids who have been led to believe that getting an education is not valuable to them,” he said.

“That’s why so many kids have been placed in a position where they don’t achieve their degree. They’re being told that the university is making millions of dollars, that the coach is making millions of dollars, but you get nothing. I think when you talk about an education, that is a very beneficial reward.”

Fine, John. Then you won’t mind accepting enrollment in the doctoral program as payment for coaching next season, while the players get the Nike cash.

Tom Kelly Boulevard, also known as Easy Street

Manager Tom Kelly and the great players in Minnesota Twins history have been honored with street signs bearing their names at the team’s spring training facility. The signs have been placed in the parking lot.

“I guess it will help you remember where you park,” Kelly said. “I wish they’d do that at the dog track.”

Another Supper Bowl loser

A sports bar and restaurant owned by Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly has closed.

The Sports City Grill, a burger and wing place, was located in Buffalo’s business district and did good business during the lunch hour. But later in the day it had trouble attracting customers.

It was always the dinner crowd’s second choice.

The last word …

“Howie Long is looking at a movie career. I just hope the career he’s looking at isn’t Brian Bosworth’s.”

- Michael Ventre, Los Angeles Daily News

, DataTimes