CSD Athletics: Bulldog News

Bulldog Families,

We are getting to the end of our Winter Sports seasons, and there is a lot to celebrate! We've received County Champion recognition in multiple sports, are preparing for Region Tournament competition, and ultimately looking forward to competing against the best in Georgia in the GHSA State Tournament! Over the past few weeks, we've celebrated our Seniors from our Winter Sports programs, Athletic Training, Basketball, Cheer, Swim & Dive, and Wrestling. We are always impressed and proud as our seniors and their families are recognized at Senior Night. Each of them have accomplished so much during their time at DHS and contributed to our athletic department in so many ways. We appreciate the opportunity to reflect and celebrate each of our Bulldogs!

Spring sports are officially underway, and this time of year brings both excitement and challenge for our coaches and student-athletes. While roster selections mark the beginning of new opportunities, they also require difficult decisions and meaningful conversations following the tryout period. We appreciate the care, professionalism, and empathy our coaches demonstrate throughout this process. As an Athletic Department, we are committed to celebrating the achievements of our athletes and coaches, while taking just as seriously our responsibility to support them through the harder moments. Growth, resilience, and character are built through sports participation, and we are here to support.

Looking ahead, we hope you will join us in March at this year's Decatur Bulldog Booster Bash. This continues to be a great event where all of our Bulldog families from Decatur High and Beacon Hill Middle Schools come together to celebrate, fellowship, and fundraise. See the Save-the-Date below.

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)

On Friday, January 23, our Swim Bulldogs competed in the DeKalb County Championships, and it went swimmingly. Decatur had 25 athletes compete, and had many great swims!

We are SO excited to announce that our Boys' team is the 2026 DeKalb County CHAMPIONS and our Girls' team is the Runner-Up!

Podium finishes include: Isaiah Lewis, William Sollie, Will Sauer, Tobias Hylen, Emily Deeb, Melanie Joyner, Sidney Cape, Calla Lockwood, Charlotte Hoppin, & Albert Li. Full results linked HERE.

Next week, on February 6 and 7, we will compete at the GHSA State Swim Meet. Please congratulate the 19 Bulldogs who will represent Decatur at Georgia Tech. Each of these athletes has either an individual cut or has earned their spot on a relay by having one of the season's fastest times.

Our Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) recently completed its 3rd Annual Sportsmanship Visit to Glennwood Elementary School, bringing 15 DHS student-athletes into classrooms to connect with our youngest Bulldogs. Throughout the day, DHS students shared what it means to be a student-athlete, led conversations about good sportsmanship, and helped students think through how to handle winning, losing, frustration, and teamwork in positive ways.

Through interactive questions, real-life sports scenarios, team cheers, and shared experiences, Glennwood students learned how respect, effort, and kindness show up both on the field and in everyday life. Each class wrapped up the visit by signing the Bulldog Commitment to Sportsmanship, reinforcing the values that connect Bulldogs of all ages.

This experience continues to be a powerful reminder of the impact peer leadership can have, and we are grateful for the opportunity to build strong connections across our Bulldog community.

(Pictured: Peri Jeffers, Kate Fink, Stella Peyer, Abby Campbell, Mary Frances Bell, Quinn Yedvarb, Ellison Belew, Olivia Lewis, Emily Deeb, Lena Castro, Sydney Powers, Chloe Smith, Isaac Klein, Cameron Frazier, and Juan Parrilla)

We were excited to welcome six student-athletes from Emory University to our DHS SALT meeting for a powerful panel discussion. Our Bulldogs heard firsthand about leadership, life as a college athlete, and the lessons learned in high school that continue to benefit them at the next level. This visit provided a meaningful opportunity for learning, reflection, and connection with our neighbors.

A special thank you to Corey Spraggins, DHS alumnus, for facilitating this experience. This marked our second annual visit with Emory student-athletes, and we’re grateful for the strong, supportive community we continue to build together.

Our Decatur Wrestlers competed in the DeKalb County Tournament last week and returned with some impressive individual hardware. Shout out to Ian Cooper (5th), Freddy Holbein (3rd), and Noah Jones (3rd) for their podium finishes. And a HUGE Congratulations to Nasir Braxton, Lucian Brock, and Ashton Glasgow, our 2026 County CHAMPIONS!!

Shout out to our Varsity and JV Bulldog Cheerleaders who hosted their annual Basketball Cheer Mini-Camp! 50 future Bulldogs trained with our DHS Bulldogs to prepare cheers and dances that were performed at halftime of Friday's basketball games. Our cheerleaders stepped up as role models to provide a memorable experience for our aspiring cheerleaders, their families, and everyone in attendance. Great job, Bulldogs!!

Congratulations to Coach Rory Welsh and our Decatur Boys' Basketball program. Coach Welsh was named the Georgia Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Month for December! The Bulldogs are on a 13-game winning streak and currently undefeated in region play. If you haven't been out to see the Bulldogs, make the effort. You will not be disappointed!

Congratulations, once again, to Felipe Claybrooks and Daniel Wilcox, our 2026 Decatur High School Wall of Honor Inductees. Claybrooks and Wilcox become the 47th and 48th Bulldogs to have their names added to this prestigious list of alumni. Both former NFL athletes continue to be standout representatives of Decatur High and our Bulldog Community. Congratulations, and thank you for setting the bar for others in Bulldog Nation.

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.

Our Decatur Bulldog Booster have something for everyone when it comes to Bulldog Swag. Start 2026 off right in your new Decatur Bulldog Spirit Wear. All proceeds go to support our BHMS and DHS Bulldog Student-Athletes!

Click the image above to browse the Shop

Many of you have been asking about Run With the Dogs, and we’re happy to share an exciting update. For the past 21 years, Run With the Dogs has been a beloved Decatur tradition, bringing our community together in the best way: on the run, for our schools.

This year, we’re trying something new. We’re thrilled to partner with the Decatur Education Foundation to add a one-mile dog run component to another hometown favorite: the amazing Tour deCatur, happening on March 14. It’s a fun new way to keep the spirit of Run With the Dogs alive while teaming up with a longtime community partner.

And looking ahead - if you’re passionate about Run With the Dogs and would love to see it return to its traditional January race format in the future, we’d love your help. We’re looking for a volunteer to lead that effort and help shape what’s next. If that sounds like you, please reach out to shawnamikes1@gmail.com.

Decatur events thrive because of community energy and leadership, and we’re excited to keep building together. 🐾🏃‍♀️

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, January 30 - Wrestling Region Meet - 2:00 PM

Saturday, January 31 - BHMS Girls Basketball Playoffs (Home) - 10:00 AM

Saturday, January 31 - BHMS Boys Basketball Playoffs (Away) - 10:00 AM

Saturday, January 31 - JV Basketball Boys Playoffs (Home) - 10:00 AM

Saturday, January 31 - JV Basketball Girls Playoffs (Away) - 10:00 AM

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Tuesday, February 3 - Varsity Basketball vs. Woodward - 6:00 PM

Saturday, February 6/7 - Swim & Dive State Meet

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.

Duke University Head Women's Basketball Coach talks about the process of becoming great. She emphasizes the importance of developing competence and the time it takes to learn. Additionally, she recognizes that the speed of development differs for individuals, and the danger of comparing your journey with that of someone else. As adults supporting student-athletes, its important that we understand this process and have patience with our kids learning. Patience and give encouragement from us will give confidence to our kids to enjoy the process of development, regardless of the time it takes and how that compares to their peers.

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"