CSD Athletics: Bulldog News

Bulldog Families,

As the sun sets on the 2025-2026 school year, we want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a truly remarkable year for Decatur Athletics. This year, our programs reached incredible heights, driven by the dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, and the unwavering support of Bulldog Nation.

We are a massive, thriving community, and the numbers from this past year speak for themselves:

• Over 950 participants at DHS and 350 participants at BHMS across 19 sports, 25 programs, and 59 total teams.

• 20 GHSA State Tournament qualifiers, 5 Region/Area Championships, and three Region Coach of the Year Awards.

• 2 individual State Champions took home the ultimate hardware!

• 25+ Bulldogs officially committed to continuing their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level.

While the trophies and statistics are fantastic, we are most proud of the positive experiences we've created, the lifelong relationships built, and the memories our athletes have shared. This past Saturday, we were honored to celebrate our Class of 2026 Bulldogs at Graduation. We know they will carry the character and grit they forged here into the next phase of life.

Thank you for an unforgettable year. We are already hard at work preparing for the fall and look forward to another year of Bulldog excellence!

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)

Date/Time: 06/01/26 - 6:00am - 8:00am

For: All Returning Boys Basketball Players from the 2026 season JV & Varsity

Where: DHS Gym

Date/Time: 06/02/2026 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm

For: All High School Boys, rising freshman (2030) - Seniors (2027)

Where: DHS Gym

**Bring water bottle, basketball shoes, gym clothes and current physical exam**

**Closed to all spectators, potential athletes only**

Contact Coach Welsh (rory.welsh@csdecatur.net) with any questions.

Is your child interested in trying out for Cross Country in the Fall, 2006? If so, please review and complete the interest form: 2026 BHMS Cross Country Informational Form

Tryouts will be held from 4:00 pm to 5:15 pm on the following dates:
Monday, August 10th: (Boys Tryouts)
Tuesday, August 11th: (Girls Tryouts)

Athletes must have a current physical uploaded in Dragonfly in order to tryout.

Calling all future Bulldogs! Join us at Decatur High School this June for our Summer Basketball Camp hosted by Varsity Boys Coach Rory Welsh and Varsity Girls Coach Nick Deloach. This program is open to boys and girls from Kindergarten through 9th grade and runs from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

We have four exciting sessions available: June 1–5, June 8–12, June 15–18, and June 22–26. It’s a fantastic opportunity to level up your skills and get a head start on your Bulldog journey. For more information and to register now, please visit www.decaturga.com/parksrec.

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!

Decatur Soccer invites youth aged 5-13 (rising k-8th grade) to take part in our 3v3 Soccer Tournament, powered by Decatur WatchFest 26—a fun, flexible, and community-focused event that’s led by DHS soccer players and coaches. Join us Saturday, June 20th from 8:30 to 12 noon at Decatur High School Stadium with plenty of parking and just a short walk from the Decatur MARTA Station and Decatur WatchFest.

Kids can form a team of up to 5 players—whether it’s friends, classmates, or teammates—and sign up at the link below for just $75 per team (payable separately via GoFan). With no uniforms required (pennies provided) and small-sided 3v3 match play run by our DHS players, this format keeps things simple while maximizing touches, engagement, and fun for every player.

The tournament is open to girls, boys, and co-ed teams (co-ed teams will play in the boys bracket), with divisions based on rising school year: K–1, 2–3, 4–5, and 6–8.

It’s a great way to celebrate Decatur WatchFest and FIFA World Cup 26™ while supporting the Decatur Soccer program, and give your child a fun soccer experience without a big time commitment—just gather a group, register, and show up ready to play.

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

Believe it or not, we've closed out our final home competitions for the year. Be on the lookout for competitions starting when school begins in August!! See you soon.

Throughout the year, we have used 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 successThis episode from "The Sports Psychology Coaching Podcast" highlights three mindset shifts to help athletes

• Focusing on "How" to win vs. "Wanting" to Win

• Changing the Way you See Mistakes

• Changing Where you Get your Confidence

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"