Private Lessons
Looking for a tennis lesson geared just towards you? Then you'll want to take a private lesson! Private lessons are available for participants of all ages. Lessons are available in one-hour increments and are scheduled during open court times based on an agreed-upon time between the coach and the participant.
Bring a tennis racket if you have one. If not, Gates Tennis Center has demo rackets. Please wear athletic clothing and non-marking tennis shoes. Ideally, the shoes should be tennis-specific shoes that are designed for the stop, start, and lateral movement of tennis. Some “cross-trainers” are okay. Running shoes are not recommended, because they are not designed for lateral movement. Class size is limited.
Contact instructors listed below to set up a lesson. Once the lesson day/time is confirmed, the instructor will reserve the court time. Payment for private lesson will be paid at time of lesson at Gates Tennis Center (no cash sales).
John Miller - jowmille@mtu.edu
Cost:
- Gates Tennis Center Members - $60 per 60-minute lesson
- General Public - $75 per 60-minute lesson (includes court rental)
John W. Miller joins the Michigan Tech recreational tennis program with over 25 years working in recreational and club tennis in the Madison, Wisconsin area. Holding an Elite Professional certification with the Racket Sports Professional Association, John brings a broad range of tennis experience to our tennis program. His background includes coaching high school tennis, teaching at Nakoma and Cherokee Country Clubs, at UW Madison, and in the public parks of greater Madison. He was the Tennis Director at Hawks Landing Tennis Club for eight years, he was a program coordinator and instructor in the Greater Madison Tennis Association for over two decades, and he was the USTA Jr Team Tennis Coordinator in Madison for seven years.
John grew up in the Southwest (Texas and New Mexico). He graduated (BA) from the College of William and Mary in 1989, where he was a member of the tennis team. After college, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand.
John and his wife Wanida moved to the Houghton area in 2021. Besides tennis, they enjoy biking, snowshoeing, and xc skiing.
John is excited to join the tennis program at Michigan Tech. He looks forward to working with our tennis clients and to the opportunity to grow tennis in the Keweenaw.
Email:
jowmille@mtu.edu
Mike Andrews - miandrew@mtu.edu
Cost:
- Gates Tennis Center Members - $75 per 60-minute lesson
- General Public - $90 per 60-minute lesson (includes court rental)
Mike Andrews was named the Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach in June 2025. Andrews came to Houghton after one season of leading the tennis programs at Lake Superior State.
Andrews competed collegiately at LSSU from 1991-95 and played in the No. 1 position in both singles and doubles for the Lakers. The Iron Mountain native received a bachelor's degree in recreation management with a minor in business from Lake State.
Andrews is certified by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) for both tennis and pickleball and brings with him over 25 years of experience in the racquet industry. He has also served as an instructor, collegiate coach, director, and club manager in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan, including serving as the director at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
Andrews has been actively involved in community programs and events for Buddy Up for Down Syndrome Athletes, Special Olympics Michigan, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Andrews has been recognized as the USPTA Midwest Professional of the Year and a USTA National Community Service Award winner. He is a former president of the USPTA Midwest Division and has been a guest speaker at multiple conferences and workshops.
His wife, Pam, daughter, Jenay, and two sons, Connor and Jordan, all played collegiate tennis. Pam and Jenay competed at LSSU, Connor at Purdue Fort Wayne, and Jordan at Saint Francis.
Email: miandrew@mtu.edu
