CSD Athletics: Bulldog News

Bulldog Families,

We’re currently on Fall Break, but the Bulldogs are still in action! Our Varsity Football team takes the field this Friday at DHS against Dunwoody. This week offers a valuable chance for athletes and coaches to recharge, and we hope everyone is making the most of this time to rest and reset. Looking ahead, October marks the start of our Winter sports seasons, and we’re excited to see our student-athletes back in action across Basketball, Swimming, Wrestling, and more.

We hope to see everyone during Homecoming Week when we return. The festivities will certainly be memorable! Kickoff on Friday will be at 7:30 PM following the parade.

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)

DHS Softball Continues in Dominant Form!

The Bulldogs picked up another win against Region foe Arabia Mountain before heading into the break. The Bulldogs return after Fall Break with another region matchup against Woodward at Oakhurst Park on September 30 at 5:30 p.m.

Click here for the most recent updates

Swim Time Trials - October 6

Time Trials for ALL BHMS and DHS swimmers will start on October 6. Whether you are a returning State Meet veterans or a new 6th-grade aspiring swimmer, EVERYONE must participate in the Time Trials to begin the season.

Stay tuned for specific dates and times for different grade levels. Contact Coach Molly Randall (mrandall@csdecatur.net) with any questions.

BHMS Basketball Tryout Information

Basketball season is almost here! Tryouts for Beacon Hill Middle School will be held in October:

Girls: October 6–7, 4:00–6:00 PM
- (All grades each day)
Boys: October 13–15, 4:00-6:00 PM

(Stay tuned for more details on which grades will try out on specific days.)

Make sure your DragonFly profile is updated with current medical forms.

We’re excited to see our Bulldogs hit the court!

DHS Boys' Soccer Interest Meeting - October 9

All students interested in trying out for the DHS Boys' Soccer program are invited to attend the virtual Interest Meeting with their families. Coach Burgess will share important information about the tryout process, as well as opportunities to prepare.

DHS Student-Athlete Leadership Team Talks Culture Creators

Our Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) met last week for our monthly meeting. The topic, Culture Creators! These are intentional acts that recognize our teammates for exemplifying the values we emphasize in our program. Our student leaders came up with ideas to implement within their teams to promote focus, team bonding, and acts of service.

Shout out to Sidney Cape, our "Spark Starter" for our September meeting. Sidney set the tone for our meeting by stepping up as a volunteer and providing great ideas!

Game Day Safety & Entry Tips

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.

JOIN THE DBB : SUPPORT OUR STUDENT-ATHLETES!!

Click here to become a member of the Decatur Bulldog Booster Club! All membership proceeds go to support our programs at Decatur High School and Beacon Hill Middle School.

Become a Bulldog Booster Sponsor! Join those who support our Bulldog Athletes.

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.

Become a Booster - Join The Team Behind the Team

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

Become a 2024-2025 Bulldog Sponsor TODAY

Support our student-athletes while also promoting your business to fans. Boosters offers several sponsorship levels that work for businesses of all sizes. Your sponsorship also includes game tickets and access to Booster events.

Follow DBB on Social Media

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

@Decatur Bulldog Boosters

@rwtd5k

@decaturbulldogbash

Friday, September 26 - Varsity Football vs. Dunwoody - 7:30 PM

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Tuesday, September 30 - Varsity Softball vs. Woodward - 5:30 PM

Tuesday, September 30 - BHMS, JV, Varsity Volleyball vs. Paideia (at DHS) - 4:30 PM

Tuesday, September 30 - BHMS Boys' Soccer vs. Howard - 5:00 PM

Wednesday, October 1 - Varsity Volleyball vs. Lakeside - 5:30 PM

Thursday, October 2 - JV Football vs. Mays - 6:00 PM

Friday, October 3 - Varsity Football vs. Shiloh (HOMECOMING) - 7:30 PM

Friday, October 3 - BHMS Boys' Soccer vs. Drew Charter (at Legacy Park) 4:45 PM

Saturday, October 4 - BHMS Football vs. Russell MS - 10:00 AM

CSD has GREAT Teachers and Staff -- Great job, Ms. Lewis!!

Throughout the year, we're highlighting the incredible staff 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 Staff Spotlight is Ms. Beth Lewis, nominated by Hagen Jones. Hagen had this to say about Ms. Lewis: "I want to thank Ms. Lewis because she always hypes me up when I come to her office and she takes the time to tutor me before my tests in math if I don’t understand it. I confide in her whenever I’m mentally struggling and she always takes the time out of her day to give me the best feedback and most thoughtful advice. She also allows me to come sit in her office after school for however long I need to get myself together and prepared for my extracurriculars. Ms. Lewis has been my most personable teacher in my three years of high school. Without her, I have no idea how I would survive every day. Going into her office and playing with her fidgets is always the best way to start my morning. It also always makes me laugh when she tries to use new slang she’s learned. Thank you for being the best Ms. Lewis!" Great job, Ms. Lewis!! Thanks for all you do for our students.

Student-Athlete of the Week Recognition

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.

How Mental Skills Transfer to Life Skills

This episode of "Sports Psychology Podcast" focuses on techniques to combat sports anxiety. Watch this video to learn how to improve your mental game skills, which can be applied in competition and other areas of your life, such as school or work.

Michael Phelps – Think Small To Accomplish Big Things

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.

How Parents/Caregivers Can Support Their Athletes Through Tough Moments

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

Tips for a Positive Parent/Caregiver-Coach Partnership

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

What are YOUR Youth Sports Goals?

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"

CSD Athletics: Bulldog News