LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- With the fall semester starting soon, Kentucky's two largest universities are teaming with a pair of distilleries in a stepped-up campaign to curb alcohol abuse among students.

The University of Louisville and University of Kentucky will share gifts from Beam Inc. and Brown-Forman Corp. totaling more than $600,000 over three years. The money will boost ongoing efforts to prevent binge drinking.

The schools, rivals in sports, joined forces at a Tuesday event at U-of-L to announce the donations by the distillers.

U-of-L Provost Shirley Willihnganz says nothing derails a college career faster than alcohol abuse.

She says partying is part of college life, but binge drinking can lead to tragic consequences.

UK Interim Provost Tim Tracy says students can play key roles in steering classmates away from alcohol abuse.