CSD Athletics: Bulldog News

Bulldog Families,

It’s been an exciting time for Bulldog Nation as we celebrate excellence at every level. We were honored to travel to the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Conference to recognize the Hall of Fame induction of retired Athletic Director Carter Wilson, whose leadership helped shape the foundation of Decatur Athletics and whose legacy continues to guide our work today.

We’re also proud to announce our newest inductees into the DHS Wall of Honor, Felipe Claybrooks and Daniel Wilcox, both from the Class of 1996! From the national stage to our own halls, it’s a season full of well-deserved Hall of Fame recognition and a powerful reminder of the tradition, impact, and excellence that define Decatur Athletics. As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to carry that momentum forward and continue the great work happening across Decatur Athletics.

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 in DragonFly to participate.

Update: Our Beacon Hill team competed at the Marist War Eagle Middle School Championships. Our Girls' team finished 5th and the Boys' finished 7th out of a competitive 17-team field. We're thrilled to report that 8th-grader Madison Deeb tallied a new school record in the 100 butterfly! What a great way to end our BHMS season. Go Bulldogs!

Shout out to our Decatur Soccer program for hosting the 4th Annual Thanksgiving DHS Soccer Camp! This year’s camp welcomed over 125 future Bulldogs, who were coached by our DHS players and staff. The event continues to be a highlight for our community, bringing together soccer players of all ages, strengthening connections, and inspiring the next generation of Bulldogs.

On Monday evening, retired Decatur High School Athletic Director Carter Wilson was officially inducted into the NIAAA Hall of Fame, the highest honor in interscholastic athletic administration. Coach Wilson’s leadership, vision, and decades of service have left a lasting impact on Decatur Athletics and student-athletes across Georgia and the nation. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition of a true Bulldog legend.

This past weekend, approximately 90 athletes from Pope, Dunwoody, Chattahoochee, Alpharetta, and Decatur High Schools competed at Beacon Hill Middle School in our first DHS Fencing Club Competition. For Decatur Fencing, this event was the culmination of four years of hard work, dedication, and growth in the sport. We are delighted to report that our fencers achieved excellent results on the fencing strip, including the following finishes:

Women’s Team: Diana Pollidore (3, Bronze Medal; Remie Bourque (6); Lexington Kennerly (10); Cori Grant (11); Opal Lehman (16)

Men’s Team: Bennett Ochiallini (5); Ben Ragland (11); Aidan Oldham (12)

We are excited to our Flag Football All-Region Student-Athletes! A huge congratulations to the following outstanding athletes who have been recognized by our area/region for their hard work, dedication, and exceptional performance this season. From Coach Paul, "We are incredibly proud of each of these athletes for their commitment, leadership, and the spirit they have brought to our program. Their accomplishments reflect not only their individual excellence but also the strength and dedication of our entire team."

All-Region First Team

– Defense: Ta’lor Owens

– Offense: Mary Frances Bell

All-Region Second Team

– Defense: Khaliyah Benton

– Offense: Juliana Pittman

Honorable Mention

– Defense: Mily Garcia Parra

– Offense: Willow Hagen

Congratulations to our Decatur Bulldogs who named 12 student-athletes to the Region 4-5A All-Region Team. This recognition celebrates both the individual and team efforts from this season. Great job, Bulldogs!

First Team:

Sadur Salahuddin - Offensive Player of the Year

Andrew Hurdle ; Ronin Simms ; Aiden Hovatter

Second Team:

Justin Taylor ; Nickolas Nathaniel ; Chace Forbes

Honorable Mention:

Jenssen Kaivani ; Cameron Frazier ; Ahmad Mohammad ; Nasir Braxton ; Edward Senter

The inaugural Toy Toss was an absolute blast, and our Bulldogs crushed it by collecting 175 plush toys for Toys for Tots! The court rained stuffed animals thanks to our generous students and fans. Special shout out to our sponsors, Green Orthodontics and Quest Orthodontics, who supplied armfuls of plushies for fans to launch. And thank you to our "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" cast for their donations as well! Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it. This community knows how to show up with heart and flair.

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.

The BHMS Girls' Soccer Season is just around the corner. All girls interested in participating in tryouts are encouraged to complete the Interest Form below. Coach Herriot and Coach Collins will share relevant information about tryouts using the contact info collected.

BHMS Girls' Soccer Interest Form 2026

On December 11, our Student-Athlete Leadership Team had the privilege of hosting State Representative Omari Crawford and Emory University Mental Health Coordinator for Athletics Kalyn Wilson for a powerful and inspiring panel focused on Student-Athlete Support and Mental Health. We are grateful to these two phenomenal leaders for sharing their expertise, their stories, and practical strategies our Bulldogs can use both on and off the field.

Mental health continues to be one of the most important conversations in youth sports today. Our student-athletes face immense pressure to perform, juggle demanding schedules, and often struggle to envision life beyond their sport. As our panelists emphasized, choosing to play sports means embracing challenges, frustration, mistakes, and setbacks, and learning to transform them into fuel for growth. With the right support system and a genuine "culture of care," those tough moments become life lessons that build resilience, confidence, and character.

A huge thank you again to Ms. Kalyn Wilson and Representative Omari Crawford for pouring into our students. And great job to our Bulldogs, who showed tremendous leadership by showing up early, engaging deeply, and asking thoughtful, courageous questions. This is what growth looks like in action.

After every SALT meeting, we give out our Spark Starter Award. The Spark Starter recognizes those who contributed to our time together by providing great insights, positive energy, or thoughtful questions. This month, Lilah Perry presented our guests, Rep. Crawford and Ms. Wilson with our Spark Starter Shades for sharing their valuable experience and wisdom related to Student-Athletes and Mental Health. Thank you both for the time and care you committed to our Bulldogs and their success!

DHS Tennis Tryouts are just around the corner. Please see the schedule below and reach out to Coach Messer (dmesser@csdecatur.net) and Coach Arrue (maria.arrue@csdecatur.net) with questions.

Location: GSU Clarkston Campus Tennis Courts:

4872 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Time: 4:30-6:30 PM

Girls: Monday (1/26) & Wednesday (1/28)

Boys: Tuesday (1/27) & Thursday (1/29)

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

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

Tuesday, January 6 - Varsity Basketball vs. Shiloh - 6:00/7:30 PM

Thursday, January 8 - Varsity Wrestling vs. Arabia Mountain - 6:00 PM

Saturday, January 10 - BHMS Basketball vs. Salem - 10:00 AM

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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 Mr. Mario Moore, nominated by Tony Go. Tony had this to say about Mr. Moore: "I have taken Mr. Moore's class 3 times and I've learned a lot from him! He's a teacher who I can go to for help with class, when I want golf advice, and when I just need someone to talk with. He's always helping me improve my game, since he claims to a scratch golfer! Thank, Mr. Moore."

Great job, Mr. Moore!! 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 from "The Sports Psychology Coaching Podcast" provides helpful strategies for athletes on goal setting. Developing strategies to be intentional about performance helps to mitigate variations in how we show up in competition. Watch this video to learn how you can help your athlete improve their mental game skills, which can be applied in competition and other areas of your life, such as school or work.

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"