CSD Athletics: Bulldog News

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Bulldogs at the Annual Decatur Bulldog Booster BASH. 200 of our biggest Bulldog supporters, joined by our Bulldog coaches, celebrated together, raising money for each of our DHS and BHMS programs.

Bulldog Families,

As we head into Spring Break, there is an incredible buzz in the air. While this week offers a well-deserved chance to rest and recharge, the action isn’t slowing down for long! We are officially entering one of the most thrilling stretches of the year as our Spring sports transition into Region and State Tournaments. Whether it’s on the diamond, the court, the track, or the field, our athletes are ready to compete at the highest level. We can’t wait to see the community come out in full force to support them!

As the weather begins to warm up, we are mindful that the finish line is in sight for the Class of 2026. Graduation is approaching quickly, and we are cherishing these final moments with our Senior leaders.

To honor their legacy and hard work, we are beyond excited to announce our first-ever Senior ESPYS! This inaugural event will be a night to remember—a chance to celebrate the grit, the championships, and the lifelong memories our Seniors have created here at Decatur.

Enjoy the break, stay safe, and let's get ready for a historic postseason!

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)

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.

On Tuesday, March 24, Decatur High School’s varsity gymnastics team competed in its fourth meet of the season at Southwest DeKalb High School. The team faced strong competition from Stephenson, Cedar Grove, Lithonia, Southwest DeKalb, Dunwoody, and Arabia Mountain high schools.

The GymDawgs delivered an impressive performance, earning a first-place finish with an overall team score of 93.9. Their event scores included 25.3 on vault, 23.85 on bars, 23.2 on beam, and 21.55 on floor.

On vault, Cara Holecek led the way with a first-place finish, followed by Isabella Martinelli, who tied for second, and Leila Suljicic, who placed third. On bars, Isabella Martinelli and Cara Holecek tied for second, with Maggie Baca taking third place. Isabella Martinelli also secured first place on beam, with Leila Suljicic following closely in second.

In the all-around competition, Cara Holecek received first place, and Maggie Baca received second.

The team will continue its season at its fifth meet, scheduled for Thursday, April 2, at 6 p.m. at Dunwoody High School.

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!

The awards continue to roll in for Decatur Basketball! We are incredibly proud to announce that several of our standouts have been recognized by the GACA/GBCA (Georgia Athletic/Basketball Coaches Association) for their elite performance on the court this season.

All-State Team Selections

Congratulations to Bryce Howson and Tobias Brinkley II for being named to the All-State Team! This prestigious honor places them among the top players in Georgia, rewarding their hard work, skill, and leadership throughout the season.

All-Star Excellence: Jason Welborn

Special recognition goes to Jason Welborn, who earned All-State Honorable Mention honors. Jason was also selected to compete in the GACA/GBCA All-Star Game, held at the Gateway Center Arena in College Park—home of the Atlanta Hawks’ G League affiliate. Jason represented the Bulldogs beautifully on the big stage, putting up an impressive 16 points against the best competition in the state!

Congratulations to our E-Sports athletes on another successful season and good luck to those who will be moving on to the playoffs!

Smash Bros: 6 wins 1 loss - 6th in the state - Advancing to playoffs!

Street Fighter 6: 4 wins 4 losses - 33rd in the state

Mario Kart 8: 3 wins 4 losses - 72nd in the state

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.

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!!

Our Student-Athlete Leadership Team gathered this month for a session titled "Branding the Bulldogs." We were honored to host guest speaker Coach Adam Pinsley, who took our leaders behind the scenes of the creative process. Coach Pinsley shared his expertise on the craftsmanship behind a brand, discussing:

• The Process: How a logo is born from an idea to a finished symbol.

• The Details: Why every line, color, and font choice matters.

• Consistency: How a unified look builds a legacy of excellence.

Thank you, Coach Pinsley, for helping our leaders sharpen their vision! We are excited to continue to refine our branding and their values that our logos represent in CSD and in the community.

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.

The 2026 Bulldog BASH has officially wrapped, with our Fire Sale ending this past Saturday! We are thrilled to announce that this year’s sold-out event raised $24,316 in support of our BHMS & DHS athletic programs.

This incredible result is a direct reflection of our amazing community. From those who attended and bid, to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and families who helped spread the word—thank you. Your generosity allows us to continue investing in our student-athletes by supporting equipment needs, program resources, and opportunities that enhance their overall experience.

Because of you, we are able to deepen our impact across all teams and ensure that our athletes have what they need to grow, compete, and succeed.

We are so grateful for your continued support and look forward to building on this momentum in the year ahead.

Interested in learning more about what the DBB does? Attend an upcoming meeting or reach out to Shawna Mikes (shawnamikes1@gmail.com)

With appreciation,
The Decatur Bulldog Booster Club

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 2 - V Boys' Lacrosse vs. Riverwood - 7:45 PM

Friday, April 3 - JV/9 Boys' Soccer Scrimmage

Friday, April 3 - JV Girls' Scrimmage

---------------------------

Monday, April 13 - Varsity Baseball vs. Lakeside - 5:55 PM

Tuesday, April 14 - DHS Golf vs. Lakeside (Stonemont)

Wednesday, April 15 - Varsity Girls' Lacrosse vs. Lakeside Evans - 6 PM

Wednesday, April 15 - Varsity Boys' Lacrosse vs. St. Pius - 8:00 PM

Thursday, April 16 - Varsity Soccer vs. Midtown - 6:00 PM

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