Holding the Ladder in Sport and Leadership

Episode #100- Eugene Postolache, basketball coach, sport missionary, and founder- Twelve, Chișinău, Moldova

Our guest for this episode is Eugene Postolache. He is a basketball coach and ministry leader from Chișinău, Moldova. He previously served as an underage national team coach for Moldova. In 2018, he graduated from FIBA TIME-OUT Project. After spending 10 years with Admirals Basketball Academy, Eugene transitioned in May 2025 to a new role with DiscipleDaily, where he focuses on sports discipleship, leadership development, and outreach in public schools. In March 2026, he officially launched Twelve, a sports ministry club that is now active in nine schools across Chișinău and operates a 12-team basketball league. Eugene is married to Nonna, and together they have three children: David, Samuel, and Sarah. You can learn more about Twelve by visiting their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586678098414

Episode #99- Erik Johnson, Head Women's Basketball Coach, University of Denver, Denver, CO

Erik Johnson is the head coach of the University of Denver women’s basketball program, returning to lead the Pioneers in 2026 after previously serving as head coach from 2008 to 2012. During his first stint, he guided Denver to a 72-52 record, four consecutive winning seasons, and the program’s first WNIT appearance. Johnson brings more than 30 years of collegiate coaching experience, including head coaching stops at Boston College and assistant coaching roles at Fairfield, Boston College, San Diego, and Rhode Island. Most recently, he helped Fairfield win three MAAC Championships and earn three NCAA Tournament appearances. Known for building winning cultures and developing student-athletes on and off the court, Johnson holds a degree in psychology from UC San Diego and a master’s degree in adult education from Rhode Island. His wife Laura was a former volleyball player at Ohio State and was an alternate for the 2000 Olympic Team. The Johnsons have two daughters, Daly and Avery. The couple’s son Davis tragically passed away at the age of four in May of 2010. The Johnson family is thrilled to be back at DU, a place that Davis loved, and his memory is cherished.

Episode #98- Ronnie Arrow, retired Hall of Fame and national championship college basketball coach, Mobile, AL

Our guest for this episode is Ronnie Arrow. He is a retired college basketball coach best known for his success at the junior college and NCAA Division I levels, particularly with the University of South Alabama and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. A standout player at Southwest Texas State (now Texas State), Arrow earned All-Lone Star Conference honors before beginning a distinguished coaching career. He first rose to prominence at San Jacinto College (1977-1987), compiling a remarkable 302-43 record while winning three NJCAA national championships (1983, 1984, 1986) and multiple Coach of the Year honors. Arrow became head coach at South Alabama in 1987, leading the Jaguars to two Sun Belt Conference championships, multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, and a top 25 national ranking. Known for his up-tempo, high-scoring style, his teams consistently ranked among conference leaders in scoring. After a successful stint launching the NCAA Division I program at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, where he led the Islanders to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2007, Arrow returned to South Alabama for a second tenure from 2007 to 2012. Over his career, Arrow built a reputation as an innovative offensive coach and program builder, also earning international success by leading the U.S. Junior World Cup Team to a gold medal in 1989. He retired from college head coaching in 2012, leaving a legacy defined by winning, player development, and the ability to elevate programs at multiple levels of college basketball. He continues to develop young players in the Mobile, AL metro area.

Episode #97- Sarah Boruta, Director of Basketball Operations, Liberty University, and founder, College Basketball Operations Institute, Lynchburg, VA

Our guest for this episode is Sarah Boruta. Boruta just completed her 15th season (2025-26) as director of operations for Liberty University women’s basketball, overseeing daily program logistics including budget management, travel, scheduling, game-day operations, equipment, and recruiting support. She also directed the Lady Flames’ summer camps for 14 years, growing participation by 1,000 percent and building a team camp from the ground up into one of the Mid-Atlantic’s premier events, which sold out for the first time in 2022. An active member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and former member of Women Leaders in College Sports, she has presented at national conventions and is a graduate of the NACWAA (now known as Women Leaders in College Sports) Institute for Administrative Advancement, where she was nominated for the Judith M. Sweet Commitment Award. Prior to Liberty, Boruta held roles at Stanford (2008-11) and Ferris State (2005-08), advancing from video intern to director of basketball marketing and video at Stanford University, where she helped boost attendance and led social media and promotions. At Ferris State, she managed operations, camps, and marketing efforts. She has been part of multiple successful programs, including three NCAA Division I Final Four teams at Stanford and a NCAA Division II Sweet 16 team at Ferris State. Additionally, she is the founder of the College Basketball Operations Institute. It is a career-focused platform that prepares individuals for roles in college basketball operations. It offers practical training, mentorship, and resources centered on program logistics, recruiting support, and daily team management, helping students and aspiring professionals gain real-world experience and advance in the field. Growing up in Mason, MI, Boruta holds four degrees, including a bachelor’s from Ferris State, a master’s in sport management, and an MBA from Liberty. You can learn more about at College Basketball Operations Institute at https://collegebasketballops.com/.

Episode #96- Tom Mitchell, Ph.D., Performance Coach for business leaders, athletes, and high-level performers, Windsor, CA

Our guest for this episode is Tom Mitchell, Ph.D. He is a Performance Coach and founder of Winning Spirit Coach, helping business leaders, athletes, and high-level performers discover their greatness within. As the former sport psychologist for the NBA's Golden State Warriors and co-author of an Amazon #1 Best Seller, "The Winning Spirit: 16 Timeless Principles That Drive Performance Excellence," with NFL legend Joe Montana (The Winning Spirit: 16 Timeless Principles That Drive Performance Excellence: Montana, Joe, Mitchell, Tom, Henderson, Bruce: 9780812974980: Amazon.com: Books) [https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Spirit-Principles-Performance-Excellence/dp/0812974980], and "Winning Spirit Basketball: Find Your Greatness Within" with Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin (Winning Spirit Basketball: Find Your Greatness Within: Mullin, Chris, Mitchell, Tom: 9781613213131: Amazon.com: Books) [https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Spirit-Basketball-Greatness-Within/dp/1613213131], he helps clients by asking powerful questions that awaken their "Inner Coach" rather than just giving advice. Mitchell’s journey began when he was a college basketball coach with a burning desire to work in the NBA. The turning point came when he tested the power of visualization, writing "I am now the sport psychologist of the Golden State Warriors" on six 3x5 index cards and placing them where he'd see them daily. Within a year, he landed that exact job. Through his journey, Tom developed a unique approach to help high achievers find clarity and confidence through what he calls the "Inner Coach Playbook." He also founded Winning Spirit Coach, LLC, a for-profit company offering coaches the opportunity to become certified members of our coaching community. At the heart of his organization is the opportunity to help others grow personally and professionally (Winning Spirit Coach | Home). [https://www.winningspiritcoach.com/] In 2004, he, along with Montana and Hilleary Hoskinson, a successful corporate executive and 25-year veteran of building teams within an array of banking, publishing and technology companies, founded MVP Performance Institute (MVP Performance | WinningSpirit [https://www.tommitchellcoach.com/mvp-performance]). MVP was created to bring this unparalleled experience and skill to leaders and teams. We grew to be a trusted source, guiding clients with direction, honesty and hands-on support to help them win. Additionally, he and Hoskinson co-authored "Winning Spirit Business: Sharpen Your Performance Edge" (Winning Spirit Business: Finding Your Performance Edge: Tom Mitchell: 9781493558797: Amazon.com: Books). [https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Spirit-Business-Finding-Performance/dp/149355879X]