As Iowa State plans its travel to the Big 12 tournament this week, it will have to go a bit farther south than it has in the past three seasons.

After spending the previous three seasons playing in the Big 12 tournament at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo., the Cyclones and the rest of the Big 12 will instead travel to American Airlines Center in Dallas for the 2013 tournament.

ISU coach Bill Fennelly, who has been vocal in his opposition from moving the tournament away from Kansas City, feels that while it is certainly disappointing for him, it is also disappointing for ISU fans.

“I’ve never understood when things are going really well and people really like it, why you change it,” Fennelly said. “I thought it was a great thing the way it was for everyone. It was a great event and I’m sure it will be a great event in Dallas. I know they’re working really hard and it will be fun but for me personally and Iowa State people, there’s something missing and something different.”

This isn’t the first time the women’s Big 12 tournament has been moved, however. Since 1997, Kansas City has been home to the tournament for 11 years but the tournament also spent three seasons at Reunion Arena in Dallas, and two years at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.

For ISU guard Brynn Williamson, there is disappointment with the move as well. Williamson said while all of her teammates from Texas are happy with the tournament’s relocation, she looked forward when she signed with Iowa State to playing in Kansas City once a year in Municipal Auditorium, which is a place she enjoyed visiting growing up.

“I think I loved it more just because I’ve been there so much when I was younger watching the games and then being able to drive across the street and go to the Sprint Center and watch the men’s games was even more fun,” Williamson said. “It’s going to be a different feeling going to Dallas for a week.”

For Euless, Texas, native and ISU point guard Nikki Moody, the tournament move is greatly welcomed and gives her family another opportunity to see her play in person while in college.

“I’m really a fan of it especially since it’s real close to home — probably about 30 minutes,” Moody said.

Fennelly echoed Williamson’s concerns about the Big 12 men’s and women’s tournaments being separated, especially for a school such as Iowa State, which enjoys a strong fan base for both men’s and women’s games.

Being able to walk across the street to the Sprint Center to watch the men play is something Fennelly, as well as the fans, will miss.

“Some of the greatest moments I’ve had at Iowa State weren’t just with our team but watching what the men were doing and the time we spent together in the hotel and watching them play,” Fennelly said. “That’s something I’m really, really going to miss. Everything in college sports changes and some things you don’t like. I guess I’m a traditionalist.

“I like the way things were, but I’ve been voted down many times. This is just another one.”