CSD Athletics: Bulldog News

Bulldog Families,

We hope everyone enjoyed a restful and restorative break. As we return, we’re excited for an action-packed few weeks to close out 2025! Our Bulldogs continue to make us proud—whether competing with heart, excelling in the classroom, or making a positive impact throughout the Decatur community. Let’s finish the year strong, Bulldog Nation!

With Spring Sports beginning shortly after we return, now is the perfect time to update your student’s medical profile in DragonFly. Check below for Spring sport tryout information, and don’t hesitate to reach out to coaches with any questions as we gear up for another exciting season.

FIRST ANNUAL DHS BASKETBALL TOY TOSS!! We're excited to host this new event and hope that you will join us. On December 5, we are inviting everyone to bring a NEW stuffed animal to the basketball game. In between games, we will toss our toys onto the court, where our student-athletes will collect and prepare them for delivery to Toys for Tots! All Elementary students with a toy to donate receive FREE entry!

As always, there is 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)

Spring Sports will start very soon after we return from the Holiday Break. Please see the graphics below for the earliest dates each sport will begin, as well as contact information for each coach.

IMPORTANT: Students must have an updated medical profile to participate.

We are excited to announce that our Decatur Bulldogs have been named by DeKalb County as the "Team of the Year" for the 2025 season. Congratulations to all of our Bulldogs, Coach Williams, and our staff!

Additionally, the following students were recognized for their individual accolades:

Co-Coach of the Year:

Taryn Williams (2nd Place)

All County 1st Team:

Kate Dickinson

All County 2nd Team:

Elizabeth Brown, Mia Frederick, Peri Jeffers, and Ava Bearden

On Wednesday, Quintavious Strozier celebrated his commitment to continue his academic and athletic journey at Georgia College and State University. Quintavious made this announcement surrounded by his teammates, family, and friends. We are excited to continue cheering on Quintavious this season and follow him next year!

Girls' Ultimate Frisbee Information Meeting - December 10

All students interested in participating in Ultimate Frisbee are invited to attend the interest meeting to learn more about Ultimate Frisbee. The team is open to new and experienced players. No-cut tryouts will be held on January 13 and 15, 2026 at 4pm at Agnes Scott. Decatur Ultimate coaches will be at the meeting in the hospitality room in the PAC on December 10 at 4:00pm to meet players and answer any questions. Please contact Decatur Ultimate at info.decaturultimate@gmail.com with any questions.

Open (Boys) Ultimate Frisbee Information Meeting - December 8

All students interested in participating in Ultimate Frisbee are invited to attend the interest meeting to learn more about Ultimate Frisbee. Decatur Ultimate coaches will be at the interest meeting at Ebster Field on December 8 at 7:30 pm to meet players and answer any questions. The team is open to new and experienced players. Tryouts will be held on January 14 and 16, 2026 at 4pm at Agnes Scott. Please contact Decatur Ultimate at info.decaturultimate@gmail.com with any questions.

Camp Details:

• All K-5th-grade students are invited to register for the Bulldog Basketball Cheerleader Mini Camp.
• The camp will take place on Monday, January 12, Wednesday, January 14, and Thursday, January 15, from 4:15 to 6:00 p.m. at Decatur High School.
• The DHS JV and Varsity cheerleaders will teach the mini-campers, cheers, jumps, and dances.
• The camp participants will perform with the DHS cheerleaders during halftime of the basketball games on Friday, January 16.
• Mini-camp registration closes on Wednesday, December 17, at 6:00 p.m. or when the camp reaches 50 registered and paid participants. Please complete one registration form per participant.
• The camp cost is $60 and must be paid through GoFan.com. The payment link is available here and at the end of the registration form.
• All camp proceeds are used to purchase camper t-shirts and support the Decatur High School Cheerleading program.

Questions? Email Coach Courtney Burnett at cburnett@csdecatur.net or Coach Crystal Evans at cevans1@csdecatur.net.

Is your BHMS 6th, 7th or 8th grader interested in running Track & Field in the Spring? If so, please plan to attend our Virtual Track & Field Parent Informational Meeting on Monday, December 8th at 6:00 pm.The virtual meeting can be accessed using the link here:

BHMS 2026 Track & Field Virtual Parent Meeting Link

Please complete the google interest form here: 2026 BHMS Track & Field Interest Form that has tryouts information. Here is a BLANK COPY of the physical to complete. Physicals are valid for one year. NO ATHLETE will be allowed to try out without an updated physical and all forms on file.

Please contact Coach Frazier (lfrazier@csdecatur.net), Coach Philippi (wphilippi@csdecatur.net) and Coach Rabold (nrabold@csdecatur.net)with any questions.

Congratulations to our Bulldog Volleyball team. Decatur is proud to have 4 Bulldogs recognized on the All-Region Team. Congratulations to Kennedy Hilson (1st-Team), Brigit Walsh (1st-Team), Abbie Harkness (2nd-Team), and London Docherty (Honorable Mention). These are special awards, both for each individual, but also for their teammates and coaches. Great job, Bulldogs!!

An Interest Meeting for the DHS Literary Team will be held on December 12. All students are invited to attend. Contact Ms. Coffin with questions (scoffin@csdecatur.net)

The official season will begin on January 9, with practices held each Friday afternoon in Room 3515.

All students interested in participating in Track & Field in the Spring are invited to attend the Interest Meeting on December 8. Coach Souther and her staff will meet with students in the DHS Library after school at 3:45 PM.

If you have any questions, contact Coach Souther at msouther@csdecatur.net.

Decatur High School students without a smartphone have the option to email our Athletic Director, Mr. Rodney Thomas, or our Principal, Dr. Duane Sprull, to make ticket arrangements. Communication must be at least 48 hours before the event.

Please note: This process will not apply to GHSA Playoff events hosted at Decatur High School.

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

Friday, December 5 - JV/Varsity Boys' Basketball vs. Lakeside Evans - 5:00 PM

(Toy Toss between games)

Saturday, December 6 - JV Basketball vs. Towers - 10:00 AM

---------------------------

Wednesday, December 10 - BHMS Basketball vs. Henderson - 5:30 PM

Wednesday, December 10 - JV Basketball vs. Lithonia - 5:00 PM

Friday, December 12 - Varsity Basketball vs. Lakeside - 6:00 PM

Saturday, December 13 - JV Basketball vs. Tucker - 10:00 AM

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.

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"