Spokesperson Bios

Sgt. Josiah Greene, a U.S. Army Reserve soldier, is currently stationed at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo on a peacekeeping mission and serves as a radiology specialist. Greene, who is also a student at Auburn University, recently founded the Shon Coleman Tribute Fund in honor of Auburn-bound student and U.S. Army All-American Bowl football player Shon Coleman and his fight against cancer.

The 25-year-old College Station, Texas, native who serves with a unit based at Fort Gordon, Ga., learned about Coleman’s condition online while reading local Auburn news. Without knowing Coleman, Sgt. Greene began the Shon Coleman Tribute Fund from Kosovo to support St. Jude Children’s Hospital, where Coleman is seeking treatment. Greene wanted to honor Coleman’s courage as he began his battle against the disease.

Greene spread the word through his online social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter. Soon, the message began to spread to other students from other universities and to former Auburn players across the NFL. Donations poured in, and to date, the fund has raised more than $17,000. 

Coleman, a standout high school offensive lineman from Mississippi, was diagnosed in March 2010 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He is signed to play football at Auburn and will report for class and training in the summer of 2011 after he completes his treatments.

Greene, who has a history of volunteering, has also participated in the Young Life program and loves working with kids to create a positive influence in their lives. He is currently an animal science major and plans to pursue a career in education. He will return home from Kosovo later this summer to continue his education at Auburn.