John (J.T.) Scara was hired as an assistant baseball coach at McKendree in the summer of 2012. Scara serves as the head coach for the Bearcats' junior varsity program and coaches the outfielders and hitters at the varsity level.
The McKendree offensive attack has made its mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference during Scara's tenure. In 2013 -- Scara's first year with the program -- the Bearcats tied for fourth in the 16-team league with 80 doubles. The 2014 squad ranked in the top half of the conference with a .274 batting average while finishing third in the league with 21 home runs. In addition, first baseman/outfielder Steven Todoschuk -- who was a first-team All-GLVC selection -- ranked second among all GLVC qualifying players with a .401 batting average while tying for second in the conference with eight round-trippers.
Scara, a native of New Lenox, Ill., came to McKendree after spending three years as an assistant coach at Robert Morris University in Chicago. In the spring of 2012, Scara was the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for the Eagles while also coaching third base during games. In Scara's three years on the Robert Morris coaching staff, the Eagles piled up 118 victories and also earned a berth in the 2011 NAIA World Series Opening Round.
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Scara served as an assistant coach for the Windy City ThunderBolts of the independent Frontier League. Scara was a bullpen coach and batting practice pitcher in his two seasons with the organization, and was a part of the ThunderBolts' Eastern Division championship squad in 2010.
As a player, Scara was a two-year starter in right field at Moraine Valley Community College, where he hit .305 as a sophomore. He moved on to Rockford College, where he helped lead the Regents to a Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) regular-season and tournament championship.
Scara then finished up his collegiate career at Robert Morris, where he batted .304 as a senior and led the Eagles with 10 stolen bases in 2009. Scara went on to receive his bachelor's degree in business administration in 2010. Scara hails from New Lenox, Ill.
