Chuckanut Bay Rugby Club celebrates the life and legacy of one of our originals — Wayne Means, an original Geoduck whose presence helped shape our identity in the earliest days of the club.
Wayne got his start in Bellingham, attending Western Washington State College and diving headfirst into both education and sport. While he was building a career as a teacher, football coach, and head wrestling coach in Monroe, he was also becoming a force on the rugby field for Chuckanut Bay. Wayne wasn’t just playing rugby — he was helping define what Chuckanut rugby was.
Known for his tenacity, grit, and fearless style of play, Wayne was one of those players who raised the standard for everyone around him. He represented the club with pride, and his skills and toughness earned him spots on representative sides including the Western Washington Ravens, the Pacific Northwest Loggers, and the Pacific Coast Rugby Union. In 1978, he reached the highest level of domestic rugby, earning selection to the Pacific Coast Grizzlies — a team considered the best in the country that year.
Wayne’s playing days extended over two decades, eventually taking him to Old Puget Sound RFC. But no matter where he played, he carried Chuckanut with him. His commitment to the game, to his teammates, and to the spirit of rugby left a lasting impression on all who had the chance to take the field with him.
For those of us who know the early stories of this club — the muddy pitches, the post-match gatherings, the road trips that became folklore — Wayne’s name comes up often. He was part of the generation that made Chuckanut more than just a team. He helped build a culture.
Wayne passed away on May 26, 2025, in Pennsylvania, where he had spent his later years close to family. A memorial service will be held in Bellingham on Monday, July 14, at 12:00 PM at Moles Farewell Tributes (2465 Lakeway Drive), followed by a graveside service and reception.
In recognition of his legacy, Wayne’s family has asked that donations in his memory be directed to the Chuckanut Bay Rugby Building Fund (Chuckanut Bay Rugby) or to Echo Hospice of Pennsylvania (www.echohospicepa.com).
Wayne’s story is our story — tough, committed, and grounded in community. He will always be part of the Chuckanut family.
You can find his obituary on the Moles Farewell Tributes page
_20250413_094736_0000~2.png)
