Kevan Melrose and the crowd at Bright Center: Melrose, a bruising defenseman, likes to think of himself as the Crimson enforcer. Offend him and you're likely to be greeting the glass face-to-face or dusting ice chips off your rear. Melrose's police state tactics have earned the adoration of the crowd but the reprimand of referees (Melrose's 44 penalty minutes lead the team). Whenever Melrose is sent to the penalty box, the crowd gives him a loud cheer.

Joe Restic and Carm Cozza: This year's Harvard-Yale football contest, dubiously referred to as The Game, was highlighted not by stellar play--both teams entered with losing records--but by the humor of the coaches. Restic, Harvard's gray-haired giant, entertained the post-game media throng with jokes about how he and Cozza decide on the winner of The Game before it starts.

An equal distribution of victories, Restic claimed, keeps the alumni at both schools happy--and keeps Restic and Cozza employed.

Larry MacElreavy and Doug Jackson: Jackson, the Columbia football team's assistant coach, recently revealed that MacElreavy, the Lions' head coach, is an alcoholic.

MacElreavy resigned.

Thanks for the memories.

Tony Eason and Doug Flutie: Eason, recently crowned the New England Patriots' starting quarterback, is likely to get a friendlier greeting tomorrow in Denver than he did last Sunday at Sullivan Stadium. When Eason stood behind the center at the beginning of the game, he was booed loudly.

It's not easy replacing a hometown hero. A lot of folks at Sullivan Stadium paid to see Flutie. Imagine going to a screening of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and finding Dr. Ruth playing the lead.

The Miami Heat and the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers: The Heat, the National Basketball Association's version of the Columbia football team, established a record for season opening futility by losing its first 17 games. But the expansion club avoided the NBA record of 20 straight losses in a season (set by the '72-73 76ers) by beating the Los Angeles Clippers, 89-88, two nights ago.

The heat's off the Heat.