CSD Athletics: Bulldog News

Bulldog Families,

If you haven't caught up with the Bulldogs, there are MANY opportunities to catch them in competition over the next couple weeks. Scroll down to see all of the upcoming home competitions and visit our website to see where the Bulldogs are traveling to next. Your support means a lot to our student-athletes and coaches!

While it feels like our Fall activities are just getting underway, we are already preparing for our Winter sports. Flag Football starts next week, and Basketball, Swimming, and Wrestling are hosting interest meetings, sharing lists for DragonFly checks, and preparing for upcoming tryouts. If you have questions about these sports, don't hesitate to reach out to our coaches.

As we always say, there is always a lot to celebrate in CSD Athletics. If you have any questions or need guidance relating to our programs, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Go Bulldogs!!

Director of Activities & Athletics: Rodney Thomas

(rthomas@csdecatur.net)

Assistant Activities & Athletics Director: David Harbin

(dharbin@csdecatur.net)

Bookkeeper & Administrative Assistant: Kelli Aaron

(kaaron@csdecatur.net)

Our Softball Bulldogs continue to roll, now 8-0 this season. The team is currently in first place in Region 4 and ranked #7 in 5A. The Bulldogs are hitting the ball well, pitching with precision, and making one spectacular defensive play after another! Their positive team energy is contagious. Come cheer on the team at the next home game on Tuesday, September 9, vs. Tri-Cities, 5:30 p.m. at Oakhurst Park. Special thanks to softball head coach Taryn Williams and assistant coaches Wardrickes Buck, Sandi Keener, and Mi'chele Hull.

Click here for the most recent updates

Calling all K–5 students! Join the Decatur High School Varsity and JV Cheerleaders for a mini-camp during Homecoming Week, September 29–October 1. Campers will learn cheers, meet the team, and perform in the Homecoming Parade and Game on Friday, October 3!

Register by September 18 at 6:00 p.m. to guarantee your camper’s game day t-shirt. Final registration closes September 24.

Register Here

On September 15, we welcome back Amy Bryant of Bryant College Coaching for an information session on navigating the recruitment process as a high school student-athlete. Amy Bryant is a National Champion Tennis Coach, formerly at Emory University, who has transitioned to serving student-athletes and their families throughout the recruitment process. In past years, this session has been well-received by both students and parents at all grade levels. Students considering participation in college athletics will leave with a lot of valuable information. This is a session you do not want to miss!

We will meet in the DHS Library at 6:30 PM.

Check out bryantcollegecoaching.com for more information about Amy Bryant.

All DHS students interested in participating in the Girls' Basketball program this year should attend the Interest Meeting on September 10. Coach Deloach and his staff will review upcoming opportunities, expectations, and important dates as we prepare for the 2025-2026 season. The meeting will take place in the hospitality suite at 4 PM.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Deloach at ndeloach@csdecatur.net.

As we prepare for another exciting year of Bulldog athletics, we want to share updated ticket prices for the 2025–2026 school year. These adjustments bring us in line with neighboring Metro Atlanta schools and are necessary to keep pace with the rising costs of game officials and to continue supporting all of our athletic programs.

New Ticket Prices:

• Varsity Football: $10 (previously $8)

• Varsity Basketball: $10 (previously $5)

• Varsity Flag Football, Volleyball, Wrestling, Soccer & Lacrosse: $8 (previously $5)

• JV Football, Flag Football, Basketball, Soccer, & Lacrosse: $8 (previously $5)

• Beacon Hill Middle School Football & Basketball: $5 (no change)

Currently, CSD does not charge for regular season admission to a number of our activities, including Swimming, Softball, Tennis, Golf, Baseball, and Gymnastics (unless we host a state playoff event).

This is the first adjustment in ticket prices for most sports in nearly 10 years. In that time, operational costs have increased significantly, especially the cost of officials. These updates will help ensure we can continue offering a positive athletic experience for all of our student-athletes.

We appreciate your continued support of Decatur Athletics and look forward to seeing you at our games!

We’re excited to welcome everyone to our events this year, and we are committed to ensuring every fan feels both safe and welcomed at our athletic events.

To streamline entry and support a positive experience, here’s what to know:

• Weapons detection systems will be in use at the gates to enhance safety and peace of mind.

• Bag guidelines: Only clear bags are allowed—either a clear bag up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or a small clutch (around 4.5″ × 6.5″). Exceptions are made for medically necessary or diaper bags, which will be subject to inspection.

• Faster entry is easier entry: Bringing fewer items helps everyone move through the screening process more smoothly and swiftly.

Thank you for your cooperation, and for helping us create a welcoming and secure atmosphere for Bulldog Nation.

We appreciate all of our local families and companies who step up to support our Bulldogs every year!! As noted in the graphic, the DBB plays a vital role in the success of our programs - in so many different ways!

Learn more about how you can become a Bulldog Sponsor for the 2025-26 school year by clicking the button below.

Decatur Bulldog Boosters (DBB) is made up of parents and guardians who plan fun events to support Bulldog athletics at Decatur High School and Beacon Hill Middle School. Join our meetings the second Monday of every month in the DHS Performing Arts Center (PAC) hospitality suite at 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 11 ; Sept. 8 ; Oct. 13. ; Nov. 10 ; Dec. 8 ; Jan. 1 ; Feb. 9 ; Mar. 9 ; Apr. 13 ; May 11

Stay in the know on all things Boosters by following us on Facebook and Instagram.

@Decatur Bulldog Boosters

@rwtd5k

@decaturbulldogbash

Thursday - September 4 - JV Softball vs. Mount Vernon - 5:30 PM

Thursday - September 4 - BHMS Volleyball vs. Druid Hills - 5:00 PM

Friday - September 5 - BHMS Boys' Soccer vs. Sutton MS - 5:30 PM

Saturday - September 6 - BHMS Football vs. Hollis MS - 10:00 AM

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Monday - September 8 - BHMS Volleyball vs. Chamblee/Salem - 5:30 PM

Monday - September 8 - JV Softball vs. Wesleyan - 5:30 PM

Tuesday - September 9 - Varsity Softball vs. Tri-Cities - 5:30 PM

Tuesday - September 9 - BHMS Volleyball vs. Howard - 4:30 PM

Tuesday - September 9 - Varsity Volleyball vs. Tri-Cities/Shiloh - 5:30 PM

Tuesday - September 9 - 9 Grade Volleyball vs. Druid Hills/Lakeside - 5:30 PM

Wednesday - September 10 - Varsity Softball vs. Chamblee - 5:30 PM

Wednesday - September 10 - 9 Grade Volleyball vs. Weber School - 5:30 PM

Thursday - September 11 - Varsity Softball vs. Shiloh - 5:30 PM

Thursday - September 11 - JV Football vs. Kell - 6:30 PM

Thursday - September 11 - Varsity/JV Volleyball vs. AIS - 5:30 PM

Friday - September 12 - BHMS Boys' Soccer vs. King MS - 5:00 PM

Saturday - September 13 - BHMS Football vs. Price MS - 10:00 AM

Throughout the year, we’ll be highlighting the incredible teachers who go above and beyond to support our student-athletes. Their encouragement in the classroom, at games, and behind the scenes plays a vital role in building a positive, balanced, and successful culture. At Decatur, our educators are more than instructors—they’re mentors, cheerleaders, and champions for our students. Their impact is a big part of what makes our community so special.

This week's teacher spotlight is Chef Sarah Catherine Fowler, nominated by Lilah Perry. Lilah had this to say about Chef Fowler: "She is so kind and makes me culinary class so much fun. She makes me feel so supported at school!" Great job, Chef Fowler!! Thanks for all you do for our students.

This year, we’ll be shining a light on the outstanding student-athletes who represent the Decatur Bulldogs with pride, passion, and perseverance. Whether it’s in competition, in the classroom, or through leadership in our community, their achievements and character embody what it means to be a Bulldog. We look forward to sharing their stories and celebrating their contributions to the vibrant Decatur Bulldog community.

This episode of "Sports Psychology Podcast: Succes Starts Within" delivers five simple but powerful mental toughness exercises every athlete can practice daily. It guides student-athletes—and their supporters—through tools like reframing negative thoughts, mindfulness, self-evaluation, mental rehearsal, and setting performance objectives. The goal? To build a stronger mindset, stay focused under pressure, and become more resilient—on the field and beyond.

Olympic legend Michael Phelps shares how breaking challenges into small, manageable goals is the key to achieving monumental success. This is an important lesson for our young student-athletes: focusing on daily habits and small victories not only prevents overwhelm but also builds the foundation for long-term growth and achievement.

When we sign up for sports, we sign up for to skill development, competition, and fun. Also included in the mix are frustration, mistakes, and disappointment. Some of the most lasting and impactful growth happens in these difficult moments and it is important to be thoughtful in our approach as supportive adults. This Positive Coaching Alliance article provides good advice for supporting athletes to in these tough moments.

How Parents/Caregivers Can Support Their Athletes Through Tough Moments

The role of an athlete's parent is challenging for many reasons! Finding opportunities for your child to participate, encouraging them to take risks, celebrating their accomplishments, supporting them through various challenges... It adds up and can take a toll. This resource from the Positive Coaching Alliance emphasizes the importance of building a partnership with your child's coach and provides helpful strategies to do so. There are many valuable lessons our students can learn through sports, many of which are not fun or easy to learn, and having adults who are working together makes the challenging times beneficial!

Tips for a Positive Parent/Caregiver-Coach Partnership

This year, the Bulldogs are partnering again with the Positive Coaching Alliance to enhance the experience of our students, coaches, and Bulldog families. The PCA has a vast number of resources that can help us make the most of our experience.

This resource is an activity we shared last year that aims at helping students and their families determine what their goals are as student-athletes. This exercise can spark some important conversations about how families decide to navigate this experience. Making sure everyone is on the same page about what desired outcomes can help to create a positive experience!

"What are YOUR Youth Sport Goals? Parent/Caregiver 100 Point Exercise"