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Hofstra's Fitness Center to host debate's Spin Alley

BY EMI ENDO | emi.endo@newsday.com

October 13, 2008

It's normally home to Hofstra University's volleyball team, the Pride.

But on Wednesday, the school's Physical Fitness Center will host "Spin Alley" - where reporters will interview party loyalists live immediately following the presidential debate.

More than 3,100 reporters and bloggers, with about 30 satellite trucks, are expected to descend on the Hempstead campus to cover the event. And to help meet the huge need for communications services, the school selected Verizon Business.

Robert Juckiewicz, the university's vice president for information technology, said the company was a "very logical choice. They have the capacity to do it, the technology and the staff and smarts."

Verizon already provides some phone, data and Internet service for the school.

"We recognize that it's a big opportunity for Hofstra," said Timothy Gallagher, corporate account manager for Verizon Business.

The final faceoff between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain will be in the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.

Next door, the Physical Fitness Center has been transformed into a media filing center, with banks of white tables and flat-screen TVs. Gray carpet covers the volleyball court, black-and-blue curtains hide wiring and "Debate '08" banners hang from the rafters. There's plenty of floor space for "Spin Alley."

Verizon workers have laid nearly 1,000 miles of cables in the process of installing 1,200 new voice phone lines, 1,200 data lines, high-speed Internet access and broadcast circuits.

More than 50 Verizon workers will join nearly 40 Hofstra technicians and other staff members to provide support.

After so many months of planning and building, the teardown will have to be done quickly, too. Juckiewicz said the school has only about "24 hours to undo" everything - the volleyball players are reclaiming their court for a match Friday evening.