Bertrand began his college career as a player for Cornell in 1966, however was unable to suit up for the Rig Red squad that would win the National Championship that season due to the NCAA's regulations forbidding freshmen from participating. Bertrand officially hit the ice the following campaign and was part of a powerhouse Cornell squad that would only lose 4 games over the next three seasons. Despite the massive success the Big Red were unable to capture a national championship in either of the succeeding two tournaments, finishing 3rd and 2nd respectively. Following the departure of future NHLsuperstarKen Dryden the 1969–70 team accomplished something no other college ice hockey team has ever matched; the Big Red squad won the 1970 title as an undefeated team with a 29-0 record. After the team's second national title in 4 years head coachNed Harkness left to take charge of the Detroit Red Wings. For his replacement Cornell turned to Dick Bertrand and, since he had yet to graduate when he was named to the position, Bertrand became the first undergraduate to be a head coach in NCAA history. In his first three seasons as coach Cornell won at least 22 games every year and made the NCAA tournament twice, finishing second in 1972 and fourth the following season. For the remainder of the decade the Big Red would remain one of the nation's top teams, compiling a winning percentage of no less than.638 in any season, but the team failed to make any further tournament appearances until a surprise berth in 1980. Bertrand remained with the team until 1982 when he resigned after his only losing season in Ithaca to take the top job at Ferris State. Bertrand arrived in Big Rapids with the Bulldogs on the cusp of making waves in the CCHA. After two consecutive 20-win seasons, the previous year saw the team drop to 15 victories. The first two years under Bertrand saw more of the same with a 16- and 18-win campaigns but the third year was a disaster as the Bulldogs finished with an 11-26-1 mark and dead-last in the conference. While the fourth season brought a moderate amount of success Bertrand resigned after an 11-10-1 start, turning the team over to Peter Esdale and ending his collegiate career.
