The Chuckanut Bay Rugby Club was founded in 1973. Many of the founding fathers were former Western Washington University players. Due to graduation, and a variety of other factors, the majority of the membership of the Western club had become "non-students". Thus, the need arose for a club outside the university. Former students called a meeting and the group assembled at a small college house on Jersey Street in Bellingham, Washington. After a discussion, two names were suggested for the new club: the High-Street Commandos and the Chuckanut Bay Geoducks. Since the Geoduck is known as one of the most dangerous bivalves native to the Pacific Northwest waters, the choice was obvious. The founders thought it was also important to keep team colors that represented the Pacific Northwest. So, the colors Columbia Blue (a traditional hue from WWU) and orange, for the sunsets over Chuckanut Bay, were selected.