DePaul University faculty are available to provide expert analysis of Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics and the key issues involved in the decision, including the history of the Olympics, financing, infrastructure, transportation, the logistics of hosting such an event, as well as athletics-related issues, such as what it’s like to compete in the Olympics.

Among those available to comment are:

Richard “Doug” Bruno, coach, DePaul women’s basketball team. As coach of two women’s basketball teams that competed at the international level and won gold medals, Bruno can discuss what it’s like and what it takes to compete at that level. “For Chicago, to demonstrate our passion for sport, loyalty to country and compassionate hospitality to our foreign competitors is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said. Bruno can be reached at (773) 325-7505, (773) 848-8987 (cell) or rbruno@depaul.edu.

Mike Conklin, journalism instructor, College of Communication. A former longtime Chicago Tribune sportswriter who has covered two Olympic Games, Conklin can discuss media coverage of Chicago’s bid and what it would mean for Chicago to be chosen as host for the 2016 Olympics. He has taught courses on and closely followed Chicago’s Olympic bid efforts and has talked to officials involved in the bid as well as opponents of the plan. “Chicago's bid to get the Olympics has brought out the best and the worst in the city,” he said. Conklin can be reached at (312) 362-7645 or mconkli2@depaul.edu.

Carson Cunningham, instructor, College of Computing and Digital Media, and adjunct faculty, history department, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Author of the upcoming book, “American Hoops: U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball from Berlin to Beijing,” Cunningham has taught courses on the history of the modern Olympics and has appeared on WTTW-TV’s “Chicago Tonight” and been interviewed about Chicago’s 2016 bid by various media outlets, including The Associated Press and National Public Radio. “The Olympic movement is a net good, and, if the 2016 Games were to take place in Chicago, they would bring visibility and ultimately economic advantages to the City of Broad Shoulders, not to mention a fifth star to its flag,” he said. He can be reached at (630) 781-8820 (cell) or cunnincj@yahoo.com.

Misty Johanson, associate professor, School of Hospitality Leadership, College of Commerce. Executive editor of the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, Johanson can talk about the impact the Olympics would have on Chicago’s hospitality industry and the impact of the 1996 Summer Olympics on Atlanta, Ga. She can be reached at (312) 362-7324 or mjohans1@depaul.edu.

Chris Roberts, director, School of Hospitality Leadership, College of Commerce. He can discuss how the Olympics would affect the Chicago hospitality industry. “Awarding the 2016 Olympic bid to Chicago would introduce a dynamic into the local hospitality and tourism industry that would add a spark to both public interest and private development. While the period of time for the games themselves is relatively short (a few weeks), the honor and intrigue attributed to an ‘Olympic City’ gives local tourism a luster that is a tangible boost,” Roberts said. He can be reached at (312) 362-7377 or crober31@depaul.edu.

Joe Schwieterman, director, Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development; professor, public service. He can discuss urban transportation issues related to Chicago hosting the Olympics. He can be reached at (312) 362-5732 or jschwiet@depaul.edu.

Scott T. Young, chair, Department of Management, College of Commerce. Oversees DePaul’s sports management MBA concentration. He can discuss Olympic bidding politics and Chicago’s pitch to secure the games. “Ultimately, the most important factors are logistics and transportation, potential audience, potential revenue, preparation and financial viability, and available facilities. There is almost an unwritten policy of rotating continents. For that reason alone, Rio de Janeiro has to be given serious consideration,” Young said. He can be reached at (312) 362-6289 or syoung16@depaul.edu.