The Ohio Valley Conference Board of Presidents amended the league's constitution and created a matching grant program for basketball programs at its meeting earlier this month.

The presidents changed the conference's constitution to allow schools that do not sponsor football to be members of the conference. The group also raised the minimum number of men's sports a school must compete in from four to five. Member schools still are required to sponsor men's basketball.

Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said the decision, on the table for several years, does not deemphasize football in the conference but provides better flexibility in accepting new members.

Additionally, the conference created the Basketball Enhancement Matching Fund to help men's and women's basketball programs. Member institutions can receive up to $6,500 for men's and women's basketball programs if the grant is matched by the school. The money could be used for recruiting, home game guarantees, television special projects or other items. It is a one-time program and requests will be accepted in the 2008-09 or 2009-10 academic years.

Both votes were unanimous.