It’s getting to be old hat for the Iowa State women’s basketball team as the awards and prestige keep rolling in.

But that’s just fine with Cyclone Coach Bill Fennelly, who along with his players was honored with the passing of resolutions of congratulations by the Iowa House of Representatives and Iowa Senate on Wednesday afternoon.

“I think it’s a great honor,” Fennelly said. “We take pride in representing not only Iowa State, but the state of Iowa.”

Fennelly, who was runner-up in National Coach of the Year voting after leading his team to a record win total of 25, said he hopes the trip to Des Moines becomes an annual event for him and his ISU team.

“That’d be nice. It’d be fun to return,” he said. “They don’t bring the bad people down here.”

ISU Athletic Director Gene Smith accompanied the team to receive the recognition at the State Capitol, and said he is up for the journey as well.

“I would really like that,” he said. “Bill’s done an outstanding job, and I think these kids will be good from here on out.

“It’s great to get a chance to come down here. This is one of the benefits our student-athletes have. It’s an educational experience,” Smith said.

Story County Senator Johnnie Hammond was also proud of her hometown team’s accomplishments in the 1997-98 season.

“It shows that women can excel in sports,” she said.

Smith said the highlight of the Cyclone women’s season for him was hosting the first and second round games for the NCAA Tournament.

“It really impacted Ames, Iowa,” he said. “To see our fans and community rally and set attendance records was great.”

Smith enjoyed the media spotlight as well.

“It was unbelievable. We couldn’t have asked more from the media,” he said.

Also honored were the Iowa Hawkeye and Drake Bulldog women’s squads.

Both universities also made appearances in the recent NCAA Tournament.

Jack Rife, a state senator from Cedar County, was one of the members of the legislature who sponsored the bill.

He praised the work done by all three state teams, but especially his beloved Cyclones.

“You have brought women’s basketball to this state after this year,” Rife said.