CSD Athletics: Bulldog News

3rd Annual Mascot Run Presented by Green Orthodontics: Friday, August 14

Last year, Soarin’ the Eagle flew across the finish line to win the 2nd Annual CSD Mascot Run for Glennwood Elementary. Who will break the tape and take home the trophy this year?

Come out to cheer on your school mascot on Friday, August 14th during the first DHS home game of the season. The game starts at 7 p.m., and the run will take place during half-time. Plus, long-time Decatur Bulldog Booster sponsor Keller Knapp Realty is giving away cowbells for fans, so get ready to make some noise for your school and your Decatur Bulldogs!

Lower and upper elementary students get free admission with a paying adult. Please note that DHS has a clear bag policy.

Bulldog Families,

It feels like we're in full swing! Softball is stacking wins. Volleyball started strong at Spikefest. Cross Country ran their time trials and are looking forward to the Fowlkes Invitational this Saturday. And, our Football Bulldogs and Cheerleaders are excited to welcome everyone to DHS Stadium tomorrow night for the first game of the year, and the 3rd Annual CSD Mascot Run!

Our Beacon Hill Bulldogs are excited for tryouts. Volleyball and Cross Country rosters will be set this week. And, Boys' Soccer will start with tryouts on Monday. Football, Cheer, and club Softball teams are set to start competing soon!

If you haven't already done so, please download the DECATUR BULLDOGS ATHLETICS mobile app! Getting the latest sports updates just got a whole lot easier. Whether you’re a student-athlete, a parent, or a lifelong fan, the app is your new all-access pass to everything Decatur Athletics. This will be our main point of communication from the Athletic Department and our teams moving forward. Follow the instructions below to get set up. If you don't wan't to add a new app to your phone, bookmark decaturbulldogsathletics.com in your browser. Don't miss a single play this season!

Why download?

• Real-Time News: Get instantly notified about game schedules, score updates, and roster changes.

• Direct Communication: Seamless internal updates for parents, coaches, and student-athletes.

• Everything in One Place: Access photos, announcements, and team pages right from your phone.

Please click the following link from your mobile device to be taken to either Apple or Google Play to download the app now: https://go.ballfrog.com/decatur-bulldogs

1. Make sure you "Allow Notifications" when you download the app

2. Sign into the app with your cell number and complete a very brief account profile

3. Click on the teams page and be sure to follow all of the teams in the app you’d like to hear from!

4. You can do this by clicking into the specific team sections, then tapping the “Follow” button at the top of the page!

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)

In addition to our new website and mobile app, @DecaturBulldogsAthletics is officially live! Follow us on IG to connect with our athletes, coaches, and the rest of Bulldog Nation.

The BHMS Boys' Soccer program is committed to developing great people, great students, and great soccer players. We are looking for student-athletes who are willing to work hard, compete with a positive attitude, encourage their teammates, and represent Beacon Hill Middle School with pride both on and off the field. All students interested in participating in tryouts should complete the INTEREST FORM HERE.

Teams

• Combined 6th & 7th Grade Team – Coach Derrick
• 8th Grade Team – Coach Jeff

Tryout Dates

• Monday, August 17 - 4:05 PM – 5:30 PM - Ebster Field
• Tuesday, August 18 - 4:05 PM – 5:30 PM - Ebster Field
• Wednesday, August 19 - 4:05 PM – 5:30 PM - Ebster Field

All students interested in Wrestling should attend the Interest Meeting with Coach Salvador on September 3 at 4 PM. The meeting will be held in Coach Salvador's room, RM 2543.

Calling all interested swimmers and divers! Our Swim & Dive Team interest meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 8 at 6pm in the Beacon Hill Cafeteria. ALL interested middle and high school athletes and parents should plan to attend this meeting. We will include important information such as schedules, dues, gear, & expectations. See you there!

On August 31, we welcome back Amy Bryant of Bryant College Coaching for an information session on navigating the recruitment process as a high school student-athlete. Amy Bryant is a National Champion Tennis Coach, formerly at Emory University, who has transitioned to serving student-athletes and their families throughout the recruitment process. In past years, this session has been well-received by both students and parents at all grade levels. Students considering participation in college athletics will leave with a lot of valuable information. This is a session you do not want to miss!

We will meet in the DHS Library at 6:30 PM.

Check out bryantcollegecoaching.com for more information about Amy Bryant.

What a way to kick off the flag football season! Your Bulldogs swagged and surfed their way to two clutch, high-heat victories this Saturday:

• Game 1 vs. Alpharetta (W 21-14): Tied up 14-14 late in the game, our girls kept their cool, broke through in the final minutes, and sealed the win!

• Game 2 vs. McEachern: After a 4-hour wait and an early deficit, our defense clamped down and locked them out for the rest of the game. Down to the final seconds, QB Bell scrambled past multiple defenders to punch in the game-winning TD—with a clutch sack on the final drive to close it out!

Huge shoutout to the team for battling through the scorching heat, and congratulations to our honored 8th-grade players!

We are thrilled to announce that Decatur Football has been selected to participate in the 2026 Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic! For those who know Georgia football, this is the premier kickoff event of the season, showcasing the state's most elite programs. This is a historic milestone for our team and a fantastic opportunity to showcase Bulldog Nation on a massive stage.

📅 Mark Your Calendars

• The Matchup: Decatur vs. Blessed Trinity

• Date: Thursday, August 20

• Location: Blessed Trinity High School

We are looking for a sea of Blue and Gold to travel with us and show the state what our community is all about. Get your Presale Tickets HERE to secure your spot at this exciting season opener. Let’s show up loud and proud for our boys! Go Bulldogs!

Going above and beyond for our student-athletes! 🏐👏

Huge congratulations to Decatur Volleyball Coach Marca Tigner for being recognized with the Decatur Education Foundation Extra Mile Award!

Special shoutout to Mikayla Sanders for nominating Coach Tigner and highlighting the incredible dedication, mentorship, and energy she brings to our students every single day.

We are so proud to have coaches who pour their hearts into our students both on and off the court.

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.

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

August 14 - Varsity Football Scrimmage vs. Miller Grove - 7:00 PM

August 15 - Cross Country Meet - Fowlkes Invitational at Legacy Park - 7:30 AM

August 19 - 9th Volleyball vs. Riverwood/Lakeside - 5:30 PM

August 20 - JV/V Volleyball vs. Riverwood/Drew Charter - 5:00 PM

August 20 - V Softball vs. Meadowcreek - 5:00 PM

August 20 - V Football @ Blessed Trinity Corky Kell Classic

August 22 - BHMS Football vs. Russell MS - 10:00 AM

Throughout the year, we will use this section to highlight the incredible staff members who go above and beyond to support our student-athletes. From the classroom to the sidelines, our educators have proven time and again that they are more than instructors—they are mentors, cheerleaders, and true champions for our students.

A huge thank you to all of our teachers, administrators, and staff for an incredible year of dedication to our student-athletes! We look forward to keeping the momentum going and highlighting even more of our amazing staff when we return in the fall. If you already have an educator in mind who deserves recognition next season, keep those nominations ready!

Shifting our mindset is sometimes the difference between breaking through to the next level of success. This episode from "The Sports Psychology Coaching Podcast" highlights three keys to playing freely for student-athletes.

• Give Your Mind a Simple Target
• Have an Action Plan for Mistakes
• Measure Commitments, Not Results

At the end of the day, sports should be fun—but what if your athlete has bigger dreams?

Whether they’re aiming for a spot on the middle school team, a college scholarship, or even the pros, chasing big goals takes more than just skill. It takes a roadmap. Many sports families start this journey early, which is awesome, but the road comes with real challenges for both the athlete and the parents.

In this episode of Pure Athlete, the hosts break down how to help your young athlete reach their full potential without burning out.