Our Camp Staff

Andrew Thomson, Men's Head Coach

Thomson joined the staff in the summer of 2017 as the assistant men's tennis coach. A 2010 graduate of Middlebury, he returned to Vermont after one year at UNC Charlotte where he was an assistant coach. The West Bloomfield, Michigan native graduated from Middlebury with a degree in economics and psychology.

Thomson helped guide the Panthers to the 2018 NCAA Championship, finishing with a single-season record 25 wins (25-4). Last season, he helped guide Middlebury to the ninth NESCAC Championship in program history, an NCAA Semifinal appearance and a 19-7 record. 

Prior to coaching at Charlotte, Thomson spent five seasons in California simultaneously pursuing his masters and doctorate degrees in positive developmental psychology in addition to working as an assistant coach. From 2014-16, Thomson was an assistant women's tennis coach at Claremont Mudd Scripps, earning the ITA West Region Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2016. Prior to joining CMS, Thomson spent one season as the assistant men's and women's tennis coach at Whittier and three seasons as the assistant men's tennis coach at Pomona Pitzer.

He enjoyed a stellar four-year playing career as a Panther. In 2010, he played an integral role in helping the program capture its second NCAA Championship. He was a four-time NCAA Doubles All-American with four different partners, and was voted team captain for his junior and senior seasons. In 2007 and 2009, Thomson won ITA Fall doubles national championships with Filip Marinkovic and Andrew Lee.

Thomson was awarded the John P. Stabile '40 Memorial Trophy in 2010, awarded to the student who best exemplifies the "Middlebury spirit." He also received the NCAA regional Arthur Ashe Award in 2009, given to a student-athlete who demonstrates leadership and sportsmanship, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievement.

He earned his masters degree in positive developmental psychology in 2014 and Ph.D. in 2017 from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California.

Taka Bertrand, Women's Head Coach

Taka Bertrand joined the Middlebury athletics staff as the head women’s tennis coach in the summer of 2022.

COACHING RESUME

  • Head women’s tennis coach - Middlebury College (2022-present)
  • Senior tennis coach - Junior Tennis Champions Center (2015-22)
  • College advisor - Junior Tennis Champions Center (2015-22)
  • Head women’s tennis coach - Yale University (2014-15)
  • Head women’s tennis coach - St. John’s University (2012-14)
  • Interim head men’s and women’s tennis coach - University of Chicago (2011-12)
  • Tennis professional - Piping Rock Club in N.Y. (2013-14)

 
AWARDS & HONORS

  • 2018 International Club Junior World Finals Champions 
  • 2017 International Club Junior Regional Challenge Winner 
  • Extensive travel with top-ranked junior players to WTA, ITF, USTA national and sectional events

 
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s Degree - Economics - Vanderbilt University - 2008
  • Master’s Degree - Liberal Arts - University of Chicago - 2012

 
ATHLETIC CAREER

  • Four-year tennis player at Vanderbilt
  • 4x All-SEC Singles honoree
  • 2007 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Female Amateur Athlete of the Year
  • 2006 SEC Player of the Year
  • 2005 SEC Freshman of the Year