Brett Vito's Influence On The Program

[2020 Sucks]

I know Brett has been working the UNT beat for many years.  But to me, it seems that his apathy and mediocre expectations play a lot into how the community (who reads his articles) and the recruits (who get his articles and see his tweets when they search) feel about UNT.  Seth treats him as an adversary...and his articles often portray that less than healthy relationship.  The press conferences definitely are much different than how he treats Hank at the coaches show.

Is it time for a new beat reporter for UNT and DRC/DMN?

I'm sure that Brett is a good guy and I wish him no harm.  But it seems to me that some positive energy and spin in the reporting couldn't hurt!

[Hunter Green]

I honestly think Brett stresses to be the "objective" voice in the media. Trouble is, his is the ONLY voice talking about UNT on a regular basis. I do like his player profiles that bring home the personal side of our warriors. However, Brett tries too hard to be objectives and it comes across as apathetic. IMO, a little cheerleading wouldn't hurt given the limited reading audience. I think it would actually improve things from a perception standpoint.

GO MEAN GREEN!

Edited November 1, 2022 by Hunter Green

[NT80]

I think a package deal, getting rid of Vito and Seth together would do wonders for UNT Athletics!

Seriously, it's time for some freshness in both areas.

[ntexeagle]

One of the requirements of a reporter is to report.  Hopefully that reporter will truthfully report facts.

Brett is in a tough situation.  He has to report things as they happen and without bias.  He must also work closely with the head coach.  If he makes the coach angry, he stands a chance of losing his “Inside source” and causing the coach to completely cut him off.

It is my belief that Brett does a very fair job of reporting the story.  He is not supposed to be a cheerleader.

[Jason Howeth]

It's just not his job to be a cheerleader for the school. Despite what many national media news outlets have turned to in the form of "journalism," (i.e. biased reporting with targeted omissions or flat out falsehoods), BV's job is to report the goings-on around the school athletics, their performances, and the impact of it all on the rest of the school and conference. It's why he's won several awards for his work in the last few years for writing the articles and blogs that he does. 

What you want is a more fan-driven site like underdogdynasty or, really, a dedicated SB Nation site like Syracuse has in  www.nunesmagician.com. I get that you don't mean any disrespect, but you have to at least respect the job he's doing and what his mission is at the Denton RC. I'm all for having both!

[RiseUNT]

What’s up with people only wanting to hear news they like or opinions they agree with?

 

[MeanGreenDan]

22 minutes ago, 2020 Sucks said:

I know Brett has been working the UNT beat for many years.  But to me, it seems that his apathy and mediocre expectations play a lot into how the community (who reads his articles) and the recruits (who get his articles and see his tweets when they search) feel about UNT.  Seth treats him as an adversary...and his articles often portray that less than healthy relationship.  The press conferences definitely are much different than how he treats Hank at the coaches show.

Is it time for a new beat reporter for UNT and DRC/DMN?

I'm sure that Brett is a good guy and I wish him no harm.  But it seems to me that some positive energy and spin in the reporting couldn't hurt!

[jtm0097]

Brett does a fine job. He has good stories and does a great job with the pre-season guide. He's not paid to be a cheerleader for the program.

[keith]

9 minutes ago, Jason Howeth said:

 It's why he's won several awards for his work in the last few years for writing the articles and blogs that he does. 

Based on his performance, you'd think he'd be recruited/hired away by a P5 conference local paper. 😜

[UNTcrazy727]

2 minutes ago, jtm0097 said:

Brett does a fine job. He has good stories and does a great job with the pre-season guide. He's not paid to be a cheerleader for the program.

My problem with him is his expectations for the program are stuck in 2001. He actually inferred last week on Twitter that fans who expect UNT to be a top G5 program are delusional. He also seems to think every bowl season under Littrell has been a success. Even if we finish the year under .500. 

[Tom McKrackin]

Brett has done ok but he does not believe in North Texas being anything more than a lowly Belch squad.  We should hire an alum who cares and has more spirit.  Maybe give Hank Dickerson a try?

[meangreen11]

I think Brett has done a good job and often under some pretty tough circumstances.  There is no need to make a change.

[Jonnyeagle]

No huge Vito fan but hasn't he won a bunch of journalism awards?  Just saying we don't know who his replacement would be.

[jtm0097]

4 minutes ago, UNTcrazy727 said:

My problem with him is his expectations for the program are stuck in 2001. He actually inferred last week on Twitter that fans who expect UNT to be a top G5 program are delusional. He also seems to think every bowl season under Littrell has been a success. Even if we finish the year under .500. 

I know us fans want more from the athletic department. I'm sure covering this team during the Dodge and McCarney years would make you very cynical.

[zenhuddy]

Brett does a good job week in week out - he has to stay in the middle and not let his or others opinions detract from the story. 
Seth doesn’t seem to always like the questions he gets but that’s not a Brett issue its a Seth issue. Actually I think the coaches need to be more transparent with him so we could see inside a bit better but you can see that’s not something Seth supports. I say he’s doing the best he can with what he is given. He is a very practical dude and wants us to win as much as any of us but he still has to tell it like it is. Think about it as it would be a hell of a lot easier and fun to write about a team that is winning lots of games and some championships and bowls but “we ain’t that type of program are we today” 🤔

Like the old saying “don’t kill the messenger” as he has zero to do with our plight IMHO 

[C Rod]

31 minutes ago, ntexeagle said:

One of the requirements of a reporter is to report.  Hopefully that reporter will truthfully report facts.

Brett is in a tough situation.  He has to report things as they happen and without bias.  He must also work closely with the head coach.  If he makes the coach angry, he stands a chance of losing his “Inside source” and causing the coach to completely cut him off.

It is my belief that Brett does a very fair job of reporting the story.  He is not supposed to be a cheerleader.

Exactly. Apparently the GMG pitchfork mob is out for blood today. I understand going after the underperforming HC making millions of dollars but to go after the local sports beat writer making a living on a reporter’s salary is savage.

[Coffee and TV]

I know he's a local reporter and that kinda changes the dynamic, but y'all really on here calling for another poster's job?

I mean SL or Wren yeah, but Vito literally contributes to this site with a megaphone louder than any of us, short of maybe one of you with a big Twitter following, and y'all really out here saying this guy should be fired?

[UNT Texas Hooligan]

1 hour ago, UNTcrazy727 said:

My problem with him is his expectations for the program are stuck in 2001. He actually inferred last week on Twitter that fans who expect UNT to be a top G5 program are delusional. He also seems to think every bowl season under Littrell has been a success. Even if we finish the year under .500. 

This is my thing. I like Brett but his view regarding this school is stuck in the 1990's. Every little good thing that happens to us should be appreciated because "How could we expect more than that at little ole' UNT?" Anytime we mention wanting more or having higher expectations for things, he always says something to the effect of, "Well, that's not what has been the norm in UNT's history so be happy with what you have or temper your expectations." 

I respect that Brett is stuck between a rock and a hard place regarding his coverage for NT athletics and he generally does a good job covering all sports but the above is my biggest pet peeve with him. Brett, it is fine to want and expect more from this school while still appreciating how far we have come from our past. 

Edited November 1, 2022 by UNT Texas Hooligan

[Withers940]

I think Vito does a stand up job! Do I agree with everything he writes, No but thats fine with me.

Do I Like to give him a hard time on occasion, Yes but thats all in good fun and doesnt diminish the fine work he does. 

 

Just because he still has a view of the program from 2001 doesnt make him a bad report, it gives him a history with the program and knows where we have been and where we are now. I value his work with this program. 

[Cr1028]

We like to bust ol’ Bert’s chops around here from time to time but the guy is really good at his job and I, for one, hope we can keep him around for the rest of my Mean Green fandom. I only call him Bert because I like him. We love you Vito.

[Dannymacfan]

I don’t agree with Vito a lot of the time but I do think he cares about UNT and I would miss his stories if he was gone.

[UNTcrazy727]

9 minutes ago, Withers940 said:

I think Vito does a stand up job! Do I agree with everything he writes, No but thats fine with me.

Do I Like to give him a hard time on occasion, Yes but thats all in good fun and doesnt diminish the fine work he does. 

 

Just because he still has a view of the program from 2001 doesnt make him a bad report, it gives him a history with the program and knows where we have been and where we are now. I value his work with this program. 

But how does a reporter who has covered a program for so long get so out of touch with the program's goals and expectations? Does he really think UNT built Apogee, the indoor practice facility, and made Littrell the highest paid coach in C-USA just to win 5-7 games? 

[GMG_Dallas]

As others have said, Brett Vito is a reporter. What you're looking for are bloggers. We have some, although not many, and they add more of the enthusiasm you're looking for.

Edited November 1, 2022 by GMG_Dallas

[Cr1028]

25 minutes ago, UNTcrazy727 said:

But how does a reporter who has covered a program for so long get so out of touch with the program's goals and expectations? Does he really think UNT built Apogee, the indoor practice facility, and made Littrell the highest paid coach in C-USA just to win 5-7 games? 

Meanwhile, every other G5 program in the country sat back and did nothing to improve their programs over the same time span.

[untcampbell]

2 hours ago, RiseUNT said:

What’s up with people only wanting to hear news they like or opinions they agree with?

 

Agree.

Confmiration bias much?

 

GMG