Sometimes it takes an unfortunate situation in life to make people appreciate what they have.

That’s the way new Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly likes to look at his family’s situation. About 10 years ago, Fennelly found out his eldest son, Billy, had a congenital heart defect. Billy was eight-months old at the time.

“There were a couple of doctors who thought Billy would not live longer than a year,” Fennelly said.

Billy lasted a lot longer than a year. He turned 10 earlier this year. He has done remarkably well for a child who has gone through so much.

“He is a normal Ames fifth-grader. The only difference is that he takes two pills before school and two pills after school,” Fennelly said.

Billy’s routine also includes getting a physical checkup at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., every other year. It used to be once a year.

“Not many 10-year-olds have touched as many lives as Billy has,” Fennelly said.

Fennelly makes it a point to stress the importance of family values to his young team. This is carried out in daily practices, as Fennelly arranges for Billy and his younger brother Steven to attend as many practices as possible.

“We really enjoy having both of his sons at practices and other functions,” said sophomore forward Janel Grimm. “They bring with them a lot of energy and we feed off that energy.”

“It puts a different light on practice; it loosens things up,” added junior co-captain Julie Hand. “The whole team just loves both of his sons.”

In the cut-throat business of college sports, critics argue that it’s all too common to see a coach lose sight of what is really important in life, something Fennelly is rarely accused of.

“When you take a coaching job, sometimes winning and losing can become more a part of your life than it should be,” Fennelly said. “My family’s situation puts things more in perspective for me. It makes me appreciate the good things about my job a little more.”

Fennelly said Steven, 7, has not had the same health problems as his older sibling. Steven is supportive of his big brother.

“Steven is Billy’s biggest fan; he has learned a lot from his older brother,” Fennelly said. “They both have a lot of fun running around Hilton Coliseum during practices.”

Though Billy competes in football, basketball and baseball right now, his father said it will be difficult, if not impossible, for him to compete in these sports when he gets older.

“Billy really enjoys competing in sports, but he realizes that he probably won’t be able to compete later on in life,” Fennelly said. “Being a coach, he has taken it a lot better than I have.”

Billy doesn’t let his heart condition get him down. He does not feel sorry for himself, and doesn’t want sympathy from others.

“He does not complain about what he doesn’t have. He is just thankful for what he does have,” Fennelly said.