Denny’s Adds Food, Fellowship To Knights Football Program

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Bernard Bisch

You won’t find the name Bernard Bisch in the box score of a Castle football game, nor will you find him poring over game film on Saturday mornings with the coaches. But in a program that’s proud of its cohesiveness, his contributions make sure the Knights stay the right course on game day.

Bisch is general manager at Denny’s in Kaneohe,which began serving the team’s pre-game meal last year at a more-than-affordable price.

“Without our pre-game meal at Denny’s, it would be difficult,” admitted head coach Nelson Maeda. “It allows the staff and team to focus on the game.If the players fend for themselves, they don’t always make wise choices on what they eat. Some don’t eat at all, which isn’t conducive to their optimal game performance.

“I always remember several years ago, one of our line-backers throwing up his pre-game meal - a hamburger and french fries - when the team ate on its own before reporting to the locker room - at Aloha Stadium on the artificial turf. Not exactly the food of champions!”

Denny’s will again serve pre-game meals this fall, but Bisch and Company are taking their support one step further this summer by hosting a fundraiser from 5 to 10 p.m. every Monday through the end of July to help raise more money. Ten percent of all Denny’s profits on those nights is donated to the Castle program.

“I asked Nelson if he needed anything else, and he said they needed money for equipment,“Bisch explained, “so I said we could do a fundraiser and give them 10 percent. That’s how it started.We need to help our community school and support the next generation.”

Bisch was eager to accommodate the Knights when approached, but his superiors at the corporate level had to approve it first.

“I did all the paperwork and proposed it to the corporation, and they said go ahead - just do it. It was a ‘yes’ answer right away.”

Pre-game meals have been a tradition during the Maeda era, but it wasn’t always so simple.“We’ve used to go to Bay View Restaurant when Mr. Puna Nam from Cinnamon’s in Kailua used to run it,then to our school cafeteria, then to our coaching staff preparing the meal at our gym,“Maeda said.“Our previous pre-game venue in the cafeteria wasn’t working out too well,as there were too many roadblocks and obstacles. One of our staff grew so frustrated he suggested we try approaching Denny’s right up the road.

“Bernard immediately jumped in and made things happen. He and his staff have been wonderful in helping us prepare for our games, providing an opportunity for our team to share in fellowship and camaraderie. The synergy that flows from the team function helps elevate our team play, as they play for each other. The players pay for their pre-game meals,with the football program defraying the cost by picking up half of their bill.”

Denny’s support is perhaps most visible on Monday fundraiser nights.“It’s a sight to see with all of the restaurant personnel wearing a special Castle football T-shirt with a huge Denny’s logo on the back,“Maeda said.“We raffle off football tees to the lucky winners at the end of the night. People may not realize it, but experiences like this and the support the players receive from the school and our community go a long way in searing a memorable and positive high school experience which the kids won’t forget.”

Bisch credits his staff with the success so far. “Without the waitresses, cooks and other managers,” he said, “I couldn’t do what I am doing.

“On game night, when the team files in, the boys are all business. They’re organized, very quiet and well-behaved and, yes, they do have their game faces on,” said Bisch, who was a soccer player in his native France.

While the menu varies,one dish is always a hit, he said. “They want carbohydrates, not heavy stuff. They love pancakes.”