Bill Fennelly and the women’s basketball team aren’t just a part of Iowa State, they’re an institution. Fennelly and his team are the reason Iowa State ranks third in the nation for attendance at women’s games, and it’s not just because they put on a good show.

Since Fennelly came to Iowa State in 1995, he has brought his team to the NCAA Tournament 11 times, including two NCAA Elite Eight appearances and three Sweet Sixteen appearances.

In March 2007, he signed a lifetime contract with Iowa State, which demonstrates how much faith the fans, students and university have in him and his program.

Not only does Cyclone Nation have faith in Fennelly, but he has gained national attention as well. In April he was named the coach of the 2011 USA Basketball Women’s World University Games Team.

Despite Fennelly’s drive and the continuing success of his program, the 2010-2011 season wasn’t without its challenges for coach and team. The Cyclones lost their star point guard, Alison Lacey, to graduation in 2010. Lacey was drafted to the WNBA, and her team, the Seattle Storm, won the 2010 WNBA Championship.

With Lacey gone, the Cyclones were left as a young team, the lone senior being guard Kelsey Bolte. Half of the team was freshmen and junior college transfers, so throughout the season, Fennelly relied upon Bolte’s experience and wisdom to hold the team together.

The Cyclones ended the season 22-11, 9-7 Big 12, after an NCAA Tournament appearance where they lost 74-64 to Marist.

With Bolte graduating after the 2010-2011 season, next year’s team will have two seniors, point guards Chassidy Cole and Lauren Mansfield. Both were junior college transfers last season, and will be depended upon to step into leadership roles.

The team’s backbone will also be made up of four juniors, Chelsea Poppens, Anna Prins, Jessica Schroll and Amanda Zimmerman. Last season they all played with the passion and grit necessary for a young team with little depth, and will continue to prove valuable to the team.

The 2011-2012 season kicks off in November, when Fennelly and company will return to Hilton Coliseum with hopes to add to post-season banner.