ALLISON PARK, Pa. -- A LaRoche College sophomore collapsed and died on Monday while playing basketball on campus.

Michael Bird, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., was playing basketball at the Kerr Fitness and Sports Center when he collapsed. He was transported to UPMC Passavant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office said Bird died from coronary anomaly, a congenital heart defect.

On Monday, Bishop David Zubick held Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Magdalen Chapel to begin the academic year and welcome students back. That night, friends and students gathered at that same chapel to grieve and console each other.

A Mass and candlelight vigil was held at the chapel again on Tuesday to honor Bird.

Students on campus said Bird was very well-liked and had only been on campus for two days.

"Obviously I'm in some kind of shock," said senior LaToya Johnson. "And I'm really very sad that had to happen.He was a nice person. Very sociable, had a lot of friends. A very fun guy."

"This is certainly a tragedy anytime a young person like this dies so suddenly," said Vice President of International Relations, Ken Service. "And just at the start of the school year, everyone is excited and in the mood and happy about being back and school starting, and this is really coming as a double shock to people, unfortunately."