Every sports story that reaches the public from the USF Oracle passes through Mithil Vyas’ decision first. The sports editor
That responsibility comes with pressure.
Vyas, a public relations student at the University of South Florida, leads a staff of about eight correspondents covering campus athletics.
After working his way up from staff writer to editor, he has spent nearly a year overseeing the Oracle’s sports coverage.
“I have full responsibility on whether an article is publishable or not,” he said.
His role goes beyond editing articles. Vyas is responsible for ensuring every sport is covered, regardless of performance, while maintaining credibility with both his writers and the athletic department.
That balance is difficult when having to deal with developing information or sensitive information.
Some of the most stressful moments, he said come during new coaching hires. These changes can come unexpectedly, and when information is moving quickly, accuracy is critical.
“One of them I was in class,” he said. “So I ended up doing that, instead of paying attention in class.”
In addition to managing his staff, Vyas has built a presence on X, where he breaks news related to USF’s athletics. This new responsibility mirrors professional insiders who report on contracts and program decisions.
The role has pushed Vyas to grow as both a leader and decision maker.
“People are starting to reach out to me, and trust me more,” he said. “I’ve become kind of a known figure in the USF media world.”
Looking ahead, in the near future Vyas hopes to become the editor-in-chief of the Oracle as a whole. Long term, he aspires to work as a reporter or on-air talent for major networks such as ESPN or ABC.
For now, he remains focused on the responsibility in front of him, leading sports coverage and deciding what gets published.