CSD Athletics: Bulldog News

Bulldog Families,

We hope everyone had a restful and rejuvenating Spring Break. As we return to campus, we are entering on of the most critical stretches of the academic and athletic calendar. While the finish line for the school year is in sight, our athletes are just reaching full speed! We are moving straight into the heart of the postseason. Our Spring teams are locked in as they enter Region and State Tournaments, and we need the Bulldog faithful out in the stands more than ever. Whether it’s on the diamond, the court, the track, or the field, let’s show the state what Decatur pride looks like as we hunt for championship hardware.

As we cherish these final weeks with our Senior leaders, we are hard at work preparing for a historic first for our department. Graduation is approaching quickly, and to celebrate the incredible legacy of this class, we are thrilled to host our inaugural Senior ESPYS! This isn't just an awards ceremony; it’s a high-energy celebration dedicated exclusively to honoring the grit, the championships, and the lifelong memories our Seniors have created here at Decatur. See below for ways to get involved. Please consider donating a gift card for the DBB to raffle off to our Seniors as they prepare for the next step of the journey beyond DHS.

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)

We are gearing up for the Inaugural Decatur High School Athletics Senior ESPY Awards. On May 3, our Senior athletes from across all programs will gather to celebrate their time competing as Bulldogs with our Bulldog coaches. We are excited to present numerous awards, including Coach of the Year, Athlete of the Year, Comeback Athlete of the Year, and Bulldog Spirit.

To celebrate our Seniors, the Decatur Bulldog Boosters are collecting raffle items to giveaway and NEED YOUR HELP!! Sign up to donate a raffle prize using the SignUpGenius linked below. We hope to send our Seniors on to their next chapter feeling celebrated and supported!!

Congratulations to our Boys' Soccer team! The Bulldogs clinched the Region 4-5A Championship on Friday night with a victory over Woodward Academy. The Bulldogs are undefeated in region play and will participate in the GHSA State Tournament as a #1 seed. This is the first Region Championship for the program since 2019.

The grind never stops! This past week, members of our Decatur Football coaching staff and Athletic Department headed to Athens to participate in the University of Georgia Football Coaches Clinic. It was an immersive "deep dive" into elite-level football as our coaches spent time observing live practices, attending detailed position meetings, and participating in intensive film and technical development sessions.

Thank you to Coaches Felton, Lewis, Scott, Shell, Kelly, and Harris, along with AD Thomas, for their dedication to bringing the best strategies and techniques back to our student-athletes. Our staff is committed to continuous growth, and we can’t wait to see these high-level insights translated to the field this fall!

DHS Volleyball Tryouts for the 2026 Fall season are right around the corner! All rising 8th-12th graders should complete the Interest Form HERE. Tryouts will be held May 5-7 at the Beacon Hill MS gymnasium. Students must have an updated medical profile in DragonFly to participate.

Contact Coach Tigner (mtigner@csdecatur.net) and Coach Spriggs (gospriggs@gmail.com) with any questions.

All students interested in playing softball in the Fall should attend the tryouts for our DHS teams and our BHMS Club. See the graphics below for detailed information.

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 Boosters 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

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

We are a community of parents and guardians dedicated to enhancing the athletic experience at both DHS and BHMS—and we want you involved! Joining us is a great way to meet other families and directly impact your student's season. We meet the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the DHS Performing Arts Center (PAC) hospitality suite. Mark your calendars for our upcoming 2025-2026 meetings.

• Remaining 2026 meeting dates: 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, April 16 - Varsity Soccer vs. Midtown (Golf SENIOR NIGHT) - 6:00 PM

Friday, April 17 - Varsity Boys' Lacrosse vs. West Forsyth - 6:30 PM

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Monday, April 20 - JV/V Boys' Lacrosse vs. George Walton (SENIOR NIGHT) - 5:30 PM

Wednesday, April 22 - Varsity Boys' Soccer Playoff Rd. 1 vs. Milton - 7:00 PM

Wednesday, April 22 - Varsity Girls' Soccer Playoff Rd. 1 AT Johns Creek - 6:00 PM

We often view physical skills—like a perfect free throw or a fast sprint—as things we need to practice every day. However, we sometimes treat mental skills like confidence, focus, and composure as traits we either "have or don't have." This episode from "The Sports Psychology Coaching Podcast" emphasizes the importance a resilient mindset.

To help our student-athletes reach their full potential, we want to encourage a shift in perspective: the mental game is a skill that can be trained. Just as you wouldn't expect to improve your strength without hitting the weight room, you can't expect to improve your resilience without consistent mental "reps."

In this video, mental performance coach Eli Straw outlines a foundational 20-minute daily routine to help athletes take control of their mindset:

• Journaling (5 mins): Write one page to process frustrations, understand your motivations, and build self-awareness.

• Self-Talk (2 mins): Read a list of 10 positive, encouraging statements aloud to "reprogram" your automatic thoughts.

• Mindfulness Meditation (10 mins): Practice focusing on your breath to build the skill of staying present and noticing when your mind drifts.

• Visualization (3-5 mins): Imagine yourself succeeding in clutch moments to strengthen your belief in your skills.

By incorporating these exercises into a daily habit—ideally in the morning to set the tone for the day—our athletes can build a mindset that matches their physical talent.

The 2026 Winter Olympics provided us with countless unforgettable moments—from record-breaking runs on the slopes to the display of pure grit on the ice. But beyond the medals and the highlight reels, these Games offered a masterclass in the many lessons that sports provide as an unparalleled educational and character-building opportunity.

One of the most resonant messages came from Olympic skier Eileen Gu. She argues that the true power of sports is how they provide evidence over affirmation.

While it’s common to try to "talk ourselves into" being brave, Gu explains that real self-trust isn't about telling yourself a "chipper little line" at the last second. Instead, it is the result of the radical honesty of training—knowing you showed up early, stayed late, and gave 100% when no one else was watching.

At its core, this is why we value the student-athlete experience so highly. Sports are a laboratory for character; they teach our students that confidence isn't a feeling they have to wait for, but a muscle they build through a "decade of hard work".

Whether in the classroom, the lab, or future career paths, confidence through sport is something we hope all of our Bulldog student-athletes gain and utilize in every pursuit. It is the quiet, internal knowledge that they can handle the pressure because they have already done it, time and again.

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"