CSD Athletics: Bulldog News

Bulldog Families,

We've had an exciting few days in CSD Athletics, as you will see below. Our Wrestlers brought home some hardware, our students are receiving All-Region recognitions, and our coaches are in the spotlight as well! Additionally, we've had 3 Bulldogs celebrate their commitment to continuing their academic and athletic journey at the collegiate level, and we're scheduling a handful more for after the break. We're proud to of all of the accomplishments here in Bulldog Country and grateful to be a part of a community that celebrates together!

FIRST ANNUAL DHS BASKETBALL TOY TOSS!! We're excited to host this new event and hope that you will join us. On December 5, we are inviting everyone to bring a NEW stuffed animal to the basketball game. In between games, we will toss our toys onto the court, where our student-athletes will collect and prepare them for delivery to Toys for Tots! All Elementary students with a toy to donate receive FREE entry!

For those who may have missed this update, GHSA recently released the new classifications, along with proposed regions for next year. As it currently stands, we will be competing in 6A-Region 4, along with Alcovy, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Heritage, Midtown, Meadowcreek, and Shiloh.

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)

This past Saturday the Bulldog wrestling team traveled to Gainesville High School for their Red Elephant Duals. The Decatur grapplers finished the day with a 5-0 record and tournament champions.

Undefeated wrestlers on the day were 106- Freddy Holbein (Fr.), 126-Ashton Glasgow (Fr.), 150- Lucian Brock (Jr.), 190- Ronin Simms (Sr.), and 215- Nasir Braxton (Jr.).

**The Bulldogs are back in action TODAY, November 20th, in the DHS Gym hosting Morrow, Tucker, and Tift County.

Congratulations to our Bulldog Volleyball team. Decatur is proud to have 4 Bulldogs recognized on the All-Region Team. Congratulations to Kennedy Hilson (1st-Team), Brigit Walsh (1st-Team), Abbie Harkness (2nd-Team), and London Docherty (Honorable Mention). These are special awards, both for each individual, but also for their teammates and coaches. Great job, Bulldogs!!

On Thursday, Senior Basketball star, Tobias Brinkley celebrated his commitment to continue his academic and athletic journey at Tulane University. Tobias was surrounded by his teammates, family, and friends. We are excited to cheer on Tobias this season and ride the Green Wave next year!

Congratulations to William Sollie! On Wednesday, William committed to continue his academic and athletic journey at Queens University of Charlotte. Sollie is a standout distance swimmer for the Bulldogs. There is no doubt that he has left a lasting impression on his teammates, coaches, and his family. We are all excited to celebrate all that he accomplishes at the next level!

An Interest Meeting for the DHS Literary Team will be held on December 12. All students are invited to attend. Contact Ms. Coffin with questions (scoffin@csdecatur.net)

The official season will begin on January 9, with practices held each Friday afternoon in Room 3515.

All students interested in participating in Track & Field in the Spring are invited to attend the Interest Meeting on December 8. Coach Souther and her staff will meet with students in the DHS Library after school at 3:45 PM.

If you have any questions, contact Coach Souther at msouther@csdecatur.net.

All students and parents interested in participating in Lacrosse are invited to attend the Interest Meeting. Coach Powers and her staff will meet with everyone in the DHS Library on December 3 at 5:30 PM.

Please contact Coach Powers with questions: apowers@csdecatur.net

Congratulations and great job, Coach Allison Paul! Last week, Coach Paul was presented with the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers Award, celebrating educators who make a lasting impact. As our Head Girls Flag Football Coach and Program Coordinator, Coach Paul has built more than just a team, she’s built confidence, discipline, and a true sense of belonging for her players. She’s shown what it means to lead with passion and purpose, whether it’s on the field, in the classroom, or in the countless hours she devotes to helping students grow.

Congratulations to our DHS Softball team. This week, 10 Bulldogs were recognized on the Region 4-5A All-Region Team. All-Region recognitions spotlight the accomplishments of each athlete throughout the season, as well as the contributions of the teammates who pushed and supported along the way. To have 9 students and Coach Williams recognized is a testament to the success of the entire team! Great job, Bulldogs!!

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.

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

Thursday, November 20 - Varsity Wrestling vs. Tucker, Morrow, Tift Co - 6:00 PM

Saturday, November 22 - BHMS Basketball vs. Chapel Hill - 5:30 PM

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

After Thanksgiving Break:

Tuesday, December 2 - Varsity Basketball vs. Dunwoody - 6:00 PM

Wednesday, December 3 - BHMS Basketball vs. Chamblee MS - 5:30 PM

Wednesday, December 3 - JV Basketball vs. Dunwoody - 5:00 PM

Friday, December 5 - JV/Varsity Boys' Basketball vs. Lakeside Evans - 6:00 PM (Toy Toss between games)

Saturday, December 6 - JV Basketball vs. Towers - 10:00 AM

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.

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"