FISHER, Ill. (WCIA) — After spending close to twenty years as part of the Heart of Illinois Conference, Fisher Athletics is about to undergo a significant transition.

The Bunnies plan to move to the Lincoln Prairie Conference at the start of the 2026-27 athletic calendar.

According to Fisher’s athletic director, Brian Bajer, an assessment of the school’s performance across different sports led to the conclusion that switching conferences would be advantageous.

He believes the move will allow the Bunnies to play teams more closely aligned to their enrollment and socio-economic status.

“Our overarching aim and guiding principle throughout this process has been to make the decision that best serves our students and athletes,” Bajer explained. “We believe that placing our students in a setting where they face more competitive challenges will ultimately boost our participation rates, enhance their enjoyment of athletics, and foster a more positive culture in our school.”

Bajer also said that the move wasn’t primarily centered around football, but it’s a change that would benefit all of Fisher’s teams.

The conference shift isn’t expected to impact the Bunnies co-op with Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley in boys soccer and wrestling.

The Bunnies regularly play Eureka, Fieldcrest, Heyworth and others in the HOIC. The move to the LPC will match them up more often with Sullivan, Villa Grove, Arcola and others.