Mar 26, 2017 5 min read

The lessons learned about athletics, sportsmanship and life in general are deep rooted with Brad Tokar.

The 1987 Fort Cherry High School and 1991 Westminster College graduate credits his strong and loving parents, coaches and mentors for guiding him to a rewarding life beyond athletics.

Tokar, 48, a standout football player and athlete for the Rangers and the Titans, is currently the Director of Admissions at Westminster.

He is a devoted father of five children – three boys (Marcus, 15, Michael, 14, and Mitchell, 12) and two girls (McKenzie, 10, and Mia, 7) – and husband of 19 years to his wife, Brooke.

The family resides in New Wilmington, just 100 yards from the college.

His playing days well behind him, Tokar is focused on supporting the educational, athletic and extra-curricular endeavors of his children.

“We have five great kids,” said Tokar, one of the WPIAL’s all-time leading rushers in terms of yardage, and a candidate for the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame. “They all do well in school. I adopted the same approach my mother and father had with me.

“My wife and I encourage them to be involved in something. We enjoy supporting them.”

His father, Ed, 79, still lives in McDonald and continues to play golf and visits his son and grandchildren every couple weeks. Tokar’s mom, Kay, died in late December 2000.

“We miss her everyday,” the younger Tokar said. “I was fortunate to have supporting parents who did not push.”

He also credits his high school coaches, the late Jim Garry (football) and the late Jim Yanosik (baseball), for providing positive influences and encouragement.

Tokar was the cornerstone of some good Rangers’ football teams, a catalyst for Fort Cherry’s WPIAL Class AA baseball championship in 1986 and was part of a team wrestling championship in 1985, before turning to basketball his junior and senior seasons.

Tokar rushed for more than 4,000 yards in his high school career and was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year as a junior and senior. Fort Cherry won the OVC championship in 1986.

He played centerfield in baseball, helping, the Rangers capture the WPIAL Class AA title in 1986 and section crown the following year. Tokar was the Observer-Reporter’s Outstanding Player during the 1986 and 1987 seasons.

He also found success as a wrestler, winning a section championship in 1985 as a sophomore. He finished as a WPIAL runner-up that season.

At Westminster, Tokar was one of the key players in the Titans’ four-year run from 1987 through 1990.

Westminster compiled a 48-4 record in Tokar’s time there. The Titans won the NAIA national championship in 1988 and 1989 and were runners-up in 1990. In that span, Westminster won 27 consecutive games.

Two key people involved in those teams, are already in the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, coach Joe Fusco (2001) and quarterback Joe Micchia (2013)

“They were a successful program before I got there,” Tokar said. “We had a great coach and great players. I never anticipated the kind of success we had there. It far exceeded any expectations I had when I enrolled there. It was a wonderful experience.”

Tokar was named Kodak All-American in 1990, and was a first team All-NAIA selection in 1988 and 1990, and a second team All-NAIA selection in 1989.

He remains the leading rusher in Westminster history with 5,269 yards on 989 carries (5.3 yards per attempt), and scored 45 touchdowns. He also is the Titans’ second all-time leading scorer with 54 touchdowns and 324 points.

Tokar recorded three of the best five single-season rushing marks at the school, gaining 1,825 yards in 1988, 1,457 yards in 1990 and 1,440 yards in 1989. In 1989, he was named an Academic All-American.

“Playing at Fort Cherry was similar in many ways to Westminster,” Tokar explained. “I was surrounded by great players and great coaches. Jim Garry and Jim Yanosik were great mentors and role models. My teammates and I grew together through the youth leagues.

“Fortunately, I was in a great situation. Had I gone to a bigger (high) school, I might have gotten more publicity. But if I could go back today, I would not change a thing. I was blessed to have such positive influences in my life.”

Tokar has been employed by Westminster for 23 years, moving up the ladder. He was an admissions counselor, assistant director of admissions, associate director of admissions, senior associate director of admissions and vice president of admissions before settling in as director of admissions.

“The time has gone fast,” he said.

Tokar has remained close to football, serving as a referee the past 16 years. He has worked three WPIAL championship games – including the Steel Valley versus Neshannock Class AA title game this past fall. He also worked the 2015 Class AA championship between Aliquippa and South Fayette. His first title game was the 2009 Class AAA championship between West Allegheny and Hopewell.

“It’s kept me close to the game,” said Tokar, who is predominantly a back judge or a side judge.

While Tokar only works on Friday nights, he said he might take a couple years off to spend more time with family.

“My wife is a great person and we have a wonderful relationship,” he said. “We want to follow our children and be involved with them.

“It’s been a wonderful ride for me. I am truly blessed.”

John Sacco writes a bi-weekly column on local sports history for the Observer-Reporter.