Blake Dietz

Multimedia journalist

Bartlett, Illinois

Welcome to my portfolio! Below is a collection of my work, including documentaries, feature videos, and beat reports. Contact info (Email, LinkedIn) can be accessed using the icons to the right.

Blake Dietz

Multimedia journalist

Bartlett, Illinois

Welcome to my portfolio! Below is a collection of my work, including documentaries, feature videos, and beat reports. Contact info (Email, LinkedIn) can be accessed using the icons to the right.

Featured
The 21st Century American Dream
The American Dream is a defining staple of American culture and values. However, the idealized dream is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve. Is it time to reevaluate what the American Dream stands for?
YouTube
The Snap Market
One app is dominating the drug trade. How and why is Snapchat the primary medium of communication for both dealers and consumers?
YouTube
A Cut Above the Rest
At 26 years old, Champaign, Illinois resident Juan Flores is already the owner of a bustling barber shop. I sat down with Juan to discuss what led to him opening Supreme Fades and his plans for the future.
YouTube
‘Whatever I gotta do’: How Andre Curbelo is fitting on this Illinois team
Unlike his game, Andre Curbelo’s sophomore season has been anything but smooth. The Puerto Rican point guard was supposed to match his magical, monster freshman season with a dynamic encore, pairing with Kofi Cockburn to form one of the most intimidating
The Champaign Room
Illini Swim & Dive | Big Ten Tournament Hype
Promotional video for the University of Illinois' swim and dive team. Edited by Blake Dietz.
Twitter
Illinois Women's Basketball - Petra Holesinska Highlights
Highlights of Illinois Women's Basketball player Petra Holesinka. Shot and edited by Blake Dietz.
Twitter
Even the best college athletes can get a concussion.
Find out more about concussions and how to protect yourself if you experience one. Our Concussion Motto The 3 “R’s” REACT Concussions are a brain injury that result from violent trauma to the head. Because of the competitive nature of sports, concussions
ILL Concussions
Chase Brown: Chasing Heisman Votes
I’ll admit it, fantasy sports have rotted my brain. As an avid fantasy participant in three of the four major sports, much of my sports viewing consists of turning into a statistic junkie, begging for a hit of my running back hitting that next hole for 8
The Champaign Room
Why this year’s Illini are different
Beware the ides of March. It’s a heady bit of advice given to Julius Caesar, but Shakespeare’s classic line most certainly applies to college basketball players and their coaches. Mid-March marks not only conference tournaments, but the big dance itself:
The Champaign Room
Illinois overcomes sloppy second half against Northwestern
With Wisconsin dropping a game at home against Rutgers and Purdue falling to Michigan on the road Saturday, Illinois’ Sunday matinee against Northwestern left the Illini in the driver’s seat for the Big Ten title race and a chance to build on that lead —
The Champaign Room
No. 3 Purdue blows past No. 13 Illinois in second half
Illinois dropped its third Big Ten game of the season Tuesday night, but the bigger loss almost came midway through the second half. As No. 3 Purdue stormed past the No. 13 Illini after the break — en route to a 84-68 win — Trent Frazier went down with a
The Champaign Room
Illinois returns to full strength, outlasts No. 11 Wisconsin in snowstorm
Brad Underwood had one message for the Illini faithful prior to Wednesday’s matchup between the Big Ten’s best — show up, weather be damned. If u know u can’t make it to the game. Please give your tickets to someone who can come⬇️ Let’s find a way to fill
The Champaign Room
Cockburn, Illini bounce back against Notre Dame
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Pitted by the ACC and Big Ten to determine who is truly worthy of the “Fighting” moniker, the Illinois Fighting Illini emerged victorious against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Monday night in a slugfest that bled into a comfortable, unan
The Champaign Room
Cockburn, Plummer’s hot hand lead No. 14 Illinois past Kansas State
Kofi Cockburn is looking like himself, Alfonso Plummer found himself, and Illinois finally captured a high-major victory. Following up a solid opening performance in a loss to Cincinnati last night, Illinois’ big man was once again unstoppable, accounting
The Champaign Room
Shorthanded Illini survive season-opening slog with Jackson State
It’s difficult to put much stock into Tuesday’s regular season opener against Jackson State. Mostly because the game resembled the previous exhibition games more than the upcoming regular season. In front of fans at State Farm Center for the first time in
The Champaign Room
Illinois’ way-too-early roadmap to Indy
I’d like to consider this article a practice in procrastination. Beneficial procrastination — call it patience. This article, three weeks in the making, is the fruit of patience. Despite time management poor enough to make Lovie Smith blush, I’ve convince
The Champaign Room

About

Blake Dietz

Sharing stories is my passion; it's what led me to journalism while navigating the unknown as an undeclared sophomore at the University of Illinois. Journalism became an outlet for my creativity, especially video journalism, and I continue relish the challenges and rewards of producing engaging, informative, and important pieces in any medium.
Two degrees later, I'm ready to launch into my career -- lending a voice where it is needed, shining a light into the darkest reaches, and hopefully leaving my mark to make the world a better place.