CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Athletes in Action at UVA is helping to uphold an almost decade long tradition of hosting an Easter sunrise Mass featuring UVA athletic coaches and teams being a big part of the service.

“It’s a really neat and diverse crowd that shows up on that Sunday morning,” said Michael Guthrie, the celebrant of the Easter sunrise Mass.

This Mass started in memory of Frank Birckhead, an integral part of the athletics at the university, and it has grown significantly in the last couple of years.

“The beautiful thing about it is that as people get there and start to gather, the sun is rising up over Cabell Hall, and sort of warms the crowd. And the aspect of celebrating Easter warms everybody’s hearts, so you kind of get a win-win there,”  said Guthrie.

The organizers say that this is a special Mass that accepts everyone, whether you have been to church or have never been, there is something everyone can take away from this sunrise service.

“It has a little bit of a biblical feel to it because of the stone amphitheater, you’re sitting in these stone seats, and the pillars, the columns, and everything, you kind of feel like you’re going back to the days that Jesus walked the earth,” said Guthrie.

The Mass includes speakers including coaches from the women’s basketball team and the rowing team, as well as a unique program with testimonies from community members, followed by coffee, donuts and bagels from local businesses.

The Mass will take place Sunday starting at 7 a.m. at the University of Virginia amphitheater.