Luries, The Eagles Owners, Get Drexel Award For Leadership

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Drexel University has named Philadelphia Eagles' co-owners Jeffrey and Christina Lurie as its "Business Leaders of the Year," mostly for their off-field successes.

Jeffrey Lurie took over the Eagles in 1994, and the team has earned a playoff berth in 10 of his 15 years as owner.

But Drexel's LeBow College of Business recognizes the Luries' leadership and generosity across the philanthropic spectrum, including the Eagles Youth Partnership, which serves 50,000 low-income children.

Lurie says they want to make a difference.

"We've created our Eagles eyemobile, that's provided more than 30,000 children with eye exams and free eyeglasses," he told the hundreds of attendees at the Bellevue Hotel in center city.  "With our bookmobile, we've provided 500,000 books to kids who've never owned a book before."

Christina Lurie quaterbacked the effort to "go green" at the Linc, which will soon produce its own electricity with wind power (see related story).

"Go Green is how we focus on our impact on our world and our future through environmentally responsible decisions," she noted.

And through the Lurie family foundation, Jeffrey and Christina also fund efforts on autism and cancer research.

Reported by Steve Tawa, KYW Newsradio 1060.